The Animal Science Program is dedicated to ensuring the humane care and treatment of all animals used for educational, research, testing, or diagnostic purposes. We provide rigorous oversight in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code regulations to safeguard animal welfare and promote responsible practices.​

All California laboratories intending to conduct animal testing are required to obtain approval from our program prior to commencing any such activities. We oversee the application process to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines. ​

​State of California Requirements to Keep and Use Laboratory Animals 

The California Health and Safety Code (Division 2, Chapter 5, Article 1 commencing with Section 1650) and the California Code of Regulations Title 17 (Public Health), Division 1 (State Department of Health), Chapter 2 (Laboratories), Subchapter 1 (Service Laboratories), Group 5 (Care of Laboratory Animals) require that persons (individuals, corporations, or institutions) who wish to keep or use live, warm-blooded animals for education, research, testing, or diagnostic purposed in California must apply to the Department of Public Health for approval to conduct such activities. Applicants must be capable of and properly equipped to provide humane care and treatment of the animals kept or used.

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​References:  

Guide for the Care and Use of Animals, Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council. National Academy Press, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington D.C., 1996 (PDF, 1.2MB)

IACUC Central is a valuable resource for institutional animal care and use committee members and staff

AAALAC relies on Three Primary Standards for evaluating laboratory animal care and use programs​

​Contact Us:

​California Department of Public Health Operations Branch, Animal Science

850 Marina Bay Pkwy, B-153
Richmond, CA 94804
Email: AnimalScience@cdph.ca.gov​
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