June 2022
For more than 50 years, AAALAC International has promoted the humane and responsible care and use of animals needed to advance medical and other scientific discoveries that save lives and improve the health and well-being of both people and animals. By accrediting participating institutions, we foster responsible, humane and high quality animal care and use based on policies and practices that meet or exceed our standards.
AAALAC takes very seriously any possible deficiencies by accredited institutions that fall short of our standards that we identify via site visits, are self-reported or we become aware of via other means. We launch an investigation and establish a timetable for corrective action. In such cases, an institution is placed on restricted accreditation status (e.g., deferred accreditation or probation). Failure to report reportable adverse events promptly, as mandated by AAALAC’s Rules of Accreditation, may lead to the revocation of the AAALAC International accreditation.
To confirm suitable corrective action has been implemented, our Council on Accreditation may conduct drop-in visits with limited advance notification or a comprehensive mandatory site revisit. Failure to correct deficiencies can and has resulted in revocation of AAALAC International accreditation.
To receive AAALAC International accreditation, an institution must submit a detailed program description that details all aspects of its animal care and use. Once the program description is reviewed, AAALAC International conducts a comprehensive, onsite assessment of the program and facilities to determine if the institution will be awarded accreditation.
AAALAC requires accredited institutions to promptly report adverse events, including unexpected animal deaths and allegations regarding compromised animal welfare. We investigate these reports and, if deemed appropriate, require corrective action within a set period of time. As noted above failure to correct deficiencies in these situations can also result in revocation of AAALAC accreditation.
Questions may be directed to accredit@aaalac.org.