The operation and physical facilities of the ACF are monitored by the institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.  IACUC provides oversight of the animal care program, conducts protocol review, implements programs and policy concerns in accord with institutional and federal regulations.  The committee also inspects the ACF facilities and the college’s animal care program twice a year, as required by the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The ACF  has been accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation for Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) since 1972.  AAALAC international conducted its most recent site visit of the ACF in November 2005 and continued full accreditation was awarded in March 2006. In addition, the ACF and Meharry Medical College meet U.S. Department of Agriculture standards and regulations and operate under a current OLAW Assurance.   Additional information on federal regulation of animal care facilities can be found at

AALAS
AAALAC International
Foundation for Biomedical Research
IACUC
Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
Animal Welfare Act

Currently, there are 47 PHS grants and 3 other Federal grants at Meharry Medical College that rely heavily in the use of research animals, supporting projects by $$ investigators. Federal funding and foundations sponsor over $3 million towards animal related research projects.