Lab Animal Medicine

We Care For Our Animals As If Human Lives Depend On It

The Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) is committed to providing UNTHSC faculty, staff, students and other partners with high quality, cost-effective research bio-resources. DLAM has a dedicated and experienced staff that contributes to the HSC’s exemplary program of animal care and use. DLAM provides veterinary and personnel training and expertise in laboratory animal medicine and technology.

DLAM is dedicated to support the University’s research and teaching goals, to promote and assure humane care and use of animals through compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International and University policies for the humane care and use of animals.

DLAM advises and educates researchers, staff, students and other professionals on animal experimentation issues and promotes best practices for the responsible use of animals.

Our primary concern is the welfare of the animals used in the facility. We maintain vigilance in ensuring that the animals experience proper care and handling with minimal discomfort or pain, as well as live in an enriching environment. We adopt and abide by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine’s Position Statement regarding animal experimentation.

There are state-of-the-art facilities totaling approximately 40,000 square feet. DLAM is equipped to house multiple species and strains, including immunocompromised and genetically modified animals. DLAM provides husbandry and veterinary care for animals 365 days per year.

All rodent housing is on HEPA filtered ventilated racks with polycarbonate cages. Animal housing rooms have a HEPA filtered cage changing station to help further reduce occupational exposure to allergens. All animal housing rooms have full lighting and temperature/humidity controls to ensure proper environmental regulation. Environmental conditions are monitored several times a minute, 365 days a year.  All areas are secure and monitored by campus police.