Jackson State University presently operates a laboratory animal facility in the John A. Peoples Building in the Department of Biology, and maintains space for future animal use in the Dollye M. E. Robinson School of Liberal Arts Building. Both facilities are visited regularly by IACUC and have been found to be in accordance with the Guide and PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The 392 square foot Animal Core Facility is partitioned into three areas: (1) housing for rats; (2) housing for mice and (3) a case washing and preparation area. For weekly cleaning, chemical sterilizing agents are used. Functional areas include storage areas for chemicals and feed/bedding.

The Animal Facility has been renovated to meet the acceptable standard for research involving live animals. All animals used by the Center researchers are maintained within the facility in compliance with federal laws concerning the well-being of animals. A licensed veterinarian serves as a consultant and works closely with the manager and full time animal room attendant. Animal usage is well documented and records are maintained. Proposed and on-going protocols involving the use of live animals are reviewed by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and instructional policies.

The other animal facility which exists in the Liberal Arts Building is a 1600 sq ft facility which contains three 10’ x 12’ animal holding rooms, a dedicated enrichment room, a cage washing room, a designated medical treatment room, a dedicated food storage and preparation room, and two large laboratories. The facility will be used by faculty, staff, graduate students and undergraduate students when it has been assigned to house approved species.

Both facilities are secured by automatic lock systems. To enter each facility, a card key must be used. Once an individual exits the facility and closes the door, it will lock automatically.