April 25, 2012

Visitors from AAALAC International (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International) will perform their triennial accreditation site visit with the Animal Care and Use program at Drexel University and Drexel University College of Medicine on May 30 and 31. This visit will continue Drexel University's history of AAALAC accreditation, which began with its first accreditation in 1982.

According to their website, AAALAC International is "a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs." Additionally, the website offers that "more than 850 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies, and other research institutions in 35 countries have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use." While compliance with local, state, and federal laws related to animal research is mandatory, participation in AAALAC's accreditation programs is entirely voluntary.