Our Mission

• To provide for the care, health and well-being, with the emphasis on the minimization of discomfort, distress and pain, of animals in research and education programs at Drexel University
• To administer to the animal related needs of University researchers and educators through dissemination of knowledge and resources
• To serve the public by ensuring observance of all legal and ethical standards pertaining to animals in research and education programs at Drexel University

ULAR News

March 2, 2020 | Surgical masks and N95 respirators shortage

Dear researchers:

We are unable to order additional surgical masks and N95 respirators due to the shortage in supply associated with the corona virus outbreak.  Therefore, I ask that you conserve the use of these masks and consider reusing masks unless they have been used in a biohazardous environment.  Should we run out of masks, we will have to reconsider their use in the barrier rooms and while conducting surgery.

The CDC has issued guidance regarding reuse of disposable N95 respirators.  I ask that you utilize similar practices with surgical masks. 

The CDC has published recommendations on the reuse and extended use of N95 masks: 
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hcwcontrols/recommendedguidanceextuse.html

And here is a recent post by the CDC on optimizing the supply of N95 masks: 
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirators-strategy/index.html

Please share this information with your labs. 

Thanks, 

Richard B. Huneke, DVM, MPH

Keynote Speaker at Brazilian Society for Laboratory Animal Science

Richard Huneke, DVM, MPH, Executive Director of ULAR, was the keynote speaker at the Workshop for Laboratory Animal Science sponsored by the Brazilian Society for Laboratory Animal Science (SBCAL) at the Federal University of Uberlandia, in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Dr. Huneke presented on three topics: Alternatives to Animal Research, 3Rs; Laboratory Animal Enrichment Programs; and Laboratory Animal Allergies - Risks and Prevention. The three-day conference was attended by over 100 people and featured speakers from Brazil and the USA. Dr. Huneke’s travel was supported by an International Travel Award from the Drexel Office of Global Engagement.

Faith Witherspoon, MLAS, Animal Care Supervisor – University City, attended her 2019 Year I ILAM (Institutional Laboratory Animal Management) program this past May in Memphis, Tennessee. ILAM covers topics relative to the daily concerns of Laboratory Animal Mangers. Topics include: Team Building, Problem Solving, Budget Analysis, Disaster Planning, and Communication. The program is a fully immersive, intensive management and leadership training program over a 2-year period to help current managers and supervisors advance in their technical and communication skills to improve their animal care and use programs as well as their relationships with researchers, laboratory technicians and ACT’s. 

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