Anyone concerned with an animal's welfare or aware of non-compliance with the policies, rules, regulations, and laws regarding animal care and use for research and teaching, should contact a member of the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee or the IACUC administration.  Reporting an incident of suspected non-compliance or mistreatment of animals will initiate an investigation by the IACUC.
Complainants may remain anonymous. UF student and employee "whistle-blowers" are protected by Federal Law and University Policy.

Each IACUC member, alternate, consultant, and staff member is responsible for referring any complaints received to the IACUC Chair (or the Chair's delegate) for investigation. If the complaint is made in writing or via email, it must be delivered/forwarded to the Chair with a note indicating the date of receipt by the IACUC member or office. If the complaint is made by telephone, the individual receiving the complaint shall make a note of the name and number of the caller, direct the caller to the Chair, and contact the Chair to make sure the complaint was received. All allegations of animal mistreatment will be taken seriously and investigated, even if the complaintant refuses/declines to disclose his or her identity.

The Chair will assign a subcommittee to conduct a preliminary investigation of the allegation(s) and report its findings. This form is used for incident reports. The Chair will contact the involved individual(s) and supervisor(s) that a complaint has been received and afford them an opportunity to respond. If it is determined that the complaint has substance, the Chair will notify the individual and immediate supervisor, as well as the appropriate Department Chair or Unit Administrator for the faculty, staff, or student involved that a preliminary investigation is underway. The Chair will keep the IACUC informed of the status of the complaint and associated investigation.

If the preliminary investigation indicates that the complaint is unsupported, the relevant information will be presented for discussion at the next convened meeting of the IACUC and recorded in the minutes. The Chair will notify all involved individuals and associated administrators of the IACUC's determination. 

If the preliminary findings indicate further investigation and formal documentation of the incident are warranted, the relevant information will be presented for discussion at the next convened meeting of the IACUC. The Chair will notify the involved individual(s) and invite them to respond to the complaint at a convened meeting of the IACUC. A copy of all written reports and supporting documentation surrounding the incident will be provided to the IACUC, involved individual(s) and appropriate Department Chair(s) and/or Administrator(s). Once the investigation is concluded, the IACUC will consider the information available and make a recommendation concerning appropriate action. The scope of the IACUC's investigation and recommendations will be limited to the welfare, care and use of animals. The Chair will notify the complaintant, the responsible individual(s), and appropriate administrator(s) of the IACUC's decision.

The Institutional Official (UF Vice President for Research & Graduate Programs) will be notified of the IACUC's findings and recommendations. If the incident involves a major deficiency in animal care and use, the Institutional Official will report the details and the corrective action taken to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare. The University administration may take additional action in accordance with other pertinent University policies and/or rules.