Welcome to the Office of Animal Resources (OAR) home page. OAR is a service center responsible for providing high quality animal care, veterinary care, and support for the research and teaching missions of the University of Colorado, Boulder. The highly dedicated and experienced OAR staff is committed to the health and well-being of laboratory animals, student and investigator training, and technical service.

OAR's Mission

To support high quality, responsible animal research and teaching at the University of Colorado Boulder through education, collaboration, and innovation in animal care and service. 

The CU Boulder animal program is comprised of two main components: The Office of Animal Resources (OAR) and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Trained and qualified members of the veterinary and animal care staff in OAR are charged with overseeing the daily animal health care and husbandry. The IACUC—which includes members of the public—oversees all proposals for activities involving the use of laboratory animals and evaluates the Institute’s animal program, procedures and facilities to ensure that they are consistent with all regulations and contemporary practice standards including:

  • The federal Animal Welfare Act and Regulations (AWR) regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
  • U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training
  • The Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) regulated by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)
  • The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide) 
  • Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC International).

Commitment to Sustainability

The Office of Animal Resources is committed to advancing sustainability practices and policies. Our mission is to reduce energy consumption, minimize waste, and optimize utility usage wherever possible. Through collaboration with various groups, both on and off campus, we actively seek out innovative ways to enhance our sustainability efforts. Here are some of the practices and policies we have successfully implemented:

  • Composting Soiled Animal Bedding
    • We responsibly compost soiled animal bedding from every vivarium, diverting upwards of 50 tons annually from landfills.
  • My Green Lab Partnership
    • As part of the international My Green Lab’s Pilot Program, we actively participate in initiatives that promote eco-friendly laboratory practices.
  • Local Raptor Rehabilitation Partnership
    • ​Our partnership with a local raptor rehabilitation program enables us to support wildlife conservation and rehabilitation efforts.
  • Resourceful Rodent Enrichment
    • ​We collect donated toilet paper cores, paper towel cores, and egg cartons for rodent enrichment. These items are thoroughly sterilized before use. This approach not only benefits the environment, but also enhances the well-being of our animals.
  • Recycling Disposable Caging
    • ​To minimize our environmental footprint, we actively recycle disposable caging materials that are used in one of our vivaria.

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