The 2012 Technician Fun Fair at the AALAS National Meeting was a huge success with 230 participants and 97% of the graded exams scoring 80% and above. Thank you to everyone who participated and especially to the Exhibitors for their great questions and prizes for the drawing.
AAALAC International
Academy of Surgical Research (ASR)
AirNet Systems Inc
American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners (ASLAP)
Animal Resource Management (ARM)
Animal Specialties and Provisions LLC
Animal Welfare Institute
BioReliance Corporation
Bio-Serv
Britz & Company
Butler Schein Animal Health
Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS)
Charles River
ClorDiSys Solutions Inc
Colonial Medical Supply Co Inc
Consolidated Sterilizer Systems
Covance Research Products inc
Datesdand Ltd
Drexel University College of Medicine
Elm Hill Labs
ENV Services Inc
Getinge USA
Girton Manufacturing Co Inc
Harlan Laboratories Inc
Innovive Inc
John Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT)
Lab Animal
Lab Products Inc
LABEX of MA
Lab Animal Management Association(LAMA)
Laboratory Animal Welfare Training Exchange (LAWTE)
Locus Technology Inc
Lomir Biomedical Inc
Marshall BioResources
NuAire Inc
Oak Hill Genetics
ParaTechs Corporation
PDS Preclinical Data Systems
Pharmacal Research Labs, Inc
Priority One Services Inc
Purina LabDiet
Quip Laboratories Inc
SAI Infusion Technologies
Sarstedt Inc
Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW)
Shepherd Specialty Papers
Sinclair Bio Resources
Smiths Medical -SurgiVet
SOMARK
Star-Oddi LTD
Synergy Health
Systems Engineering
UTMB National Biocontainment Training Center
VetEquip Inc
ViraTek Inc
World Precision Instruments Inc.
Xigma Engineering Services LLC
Monday, December 3, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Update Regarding the Posting of Amended Versus Original Inspection Reports
Update from Chester Gipson, Animal Care Deputy Administrator, regarding the posting of amended versus original inspection reports on APHIS’ website:
Dr. Chester Gipson
Deputy Administrator for Animal Care, APHIS
I would like to make you aware of an update to our policy regarding the posting of Animal Welfare Act (AWA) inspection reports on our website. Effective February 17, 2012, we will no longer post both original and amended inspection reports to our website if they have been amended. Only the amended inspection report will be posted.
To ensure that AWA standards are being met, inspectors from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conduct routine, comprehensive inspections of licensed and registered facilities and animals--assessing all areas of care and treatment covered by the AWA. These inspections are unannounced, thereby giving inspectors a genuine sense of how licensees and registrants are caring for their animals. The noncompliant items observed, discovered, or verified by the inspector are documented on an inspection report. The report notifies a licensee or registrant if anything needs to be improved in order to meet the agency’s requirements.
In keeping with our commitment to transparency, we will continue to post inspection reports to the website for all the licensees and registrants that we regulate under the AWA. An inspection report may be amended to correct an error or in response to an appeal submitted by a USDA licensee/registrant. The reports are posted 21 days after the date of the inspection to allow time for appeals or for correcting errors.
If an appeal is received before the end of the 21 days, the report will not be posted until after the appeal is resolved. If an appeal is received after the 21-day appeal period, the report will be removed from view until the appeal is resolved. If the report is amended, the original report will not be reposted to the website--only the final version of the report will be posted. Once amended, the original, unmodified report is no longer valid, and the revised report becomes the final determination of compliance by APHIS.
Inspection reports are available via the Animal Care website: http://acissearch.aphis.usda.gov/LPASearch/faces/Warning.jspx. To find a particular report, type the licensed/registered name of the facility in the text box at the top of the page and click the SEARCH button. Then, click on the INSPECTION INFORMATION tab in the middle of the page. Finally, click on the DETAILS button for the exact report you want to view.
All inspection reports are available to the public through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Please visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/foia/foia.shtml to learn how to make a FOIA request. The proactive posting of inspection reports to our website is consistent with President Obama’s guidance to federal agencies regarding openness and transparency. We have received positive feedback from many interested parties on the information we make available on the APHIS website, and we welcome continued feedback from our partners as we continue to improve our processes.
Dr. Chester Gipson
Deputy Administrator for Animal Care, APHIS
Monday, February 27, 2012
2011 Stats for AALAS' Journals
During 2011, Comparative Medicine and JAALAS had the following usage on IngentaConnect:
- 62,929 full-text downloads
- 108,316 abstract pages viewed
- 222,898 contents pages viewed
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
MSNBC Poll on Shipping Animals
The MSNBC article "Shipment of 60 lab monkeys blocked, PETA says" contains a one-question poll: Should cargo shippers voluntarily stop sending monkeys to test labs? Go here if you want to vote.
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/01/10290660-shipment-of-60-lab-monkeys-blocked-peta-says
On February 10, Air France issued this statement:
http://corporate.airfrance.com/en/press/statement/
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/01/10290660-shipment-of-60-lab-monkeys-blocked-peta-says
On February 10, Air France issued this statement:
http://corporate.airfrance.com/en/press/statement/
Friday, January 13, 2012
Journal Articles Now Available Ahead of Print
The February issue of Comparative Medicine (CM) is now available under the FastTrack option through Ingenta. This means that the articles will now be available ahead of print on the journal website. This new system enables AALAS to accelerate the exchange of scholarly information by publishing content before it has been published in the traditional journal issue.
The FastTrack articles are accessible from a link on the CM homepage. Title, authors, and abstract information are presented in the same way as articles within an issue. A subscription is required to access these articles. Once you are logged in to the AALAS website, go to the CM issues page (http://aalas.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/aalas/cm) and the new articles will be available through a link right above the newest volume (see arrow in image below):
The FastTrack articles are accessible from a link on the CM homepage. Title, authors, and abstract information are presented in the same way as articles within an issue. A subscription is required to access these articles. Once you are logged in to the AALAS website, go to the CM issues page (http://aalas.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/aalas/cm) and the new articles will be available through a link right above the newest volume (see arrow in image below):
Thursday, January 5, 2012
National Meeting Abstract and Topic Submission Site Open
On behalf of program chair Dr. Scout Chou and AALAS president Dr. Kathy Laber, the 2012 National Meeting Program Committee would like to encourage you to submit proposals for abstracts, seminars, special topic lectures, panel discussions, technical trade presentations, and workshops for the 2012 meeting in Minneapolis.
Submissions will again be handled online starting today, January 5. Those of you who submitted topics or abstracts in the past year received a system email with your password and username. New users must create an account.
Trauma recovery is this year's spotlight forum. Those with backgrounds and expertise in research, clinical care, management, and husbandry of animal models used to study trauma recovery are especially encouraged to submit.
Read the call for abstracts for complete requirements for submitting abstracts and proposing educational session topics. The deadline for topic submissions is March 15, while the deadline for abstract (posters and platforms) submissions is June 1.
Topic submissions should be designed specifically for one of the following formats: 2:45-hours seminar, 1:30-hours panel discussion, 1-hour special topic lecture, 4-hour workshop; or 20-minute technical trade presentation. If you choose to submit a topic, please note that you must include the title, brief description, and names and contact information for any suggested panelists, speakers, or leader. Once the submission undergoes review and acceptance, any substitution or addition of speakers must be approved by the Program Committee.
Abstract submissions will be considered for either a platform or poster presentation format. Platform presentations are typically 10-15 minutes in length and are grouped together by general category. If you choose to submit an abstract, please follow the guidelines and provide complete information. This will greatly assist the Program Committee in their review process and enable the correct assignment of your abstract to the appropriate program session.
Please take note that this year's meeting coincides with Election Day. Make plans for absentee or early voting.
Submissions will again be handled online starting today, January 5. Those of you who submitted topics or abstracts in the past year received a system email with your password and username. New users must create an account.
Trauma recovery is this year's spotlight forum. Those with backgrounds and expertise in research, clinical care, management, and husbandry of animal models used to study trauma recovery are especially encouraged to submit.
Read the call for abstracts for complete requirements for submitting abstracts and proposing educational session topics. The deadline for topic submissions is March 15, while the deadline for abstract (posters and platforms) submissions is June 1.
Topic submissions should be designed specifically for one of the following formats: 2:45-hours seminar, 1:30-hours panel discussion, 1-hour special topic lecture, 4-hour workshop; or 20-minute technical trade presentation. If you choose to submit a topic, please note that you must include the title, brief description, and names and contact information for any suggested panelists, speakers, or leader. Once the submission undergoes review and acceptance, any substitution or addition of speakers must be approved by the Program Committee.
Abstract submissions will be considered for either a platform or poster presentation format. Platform presentations are typically 10-15 minutes in length and are grouped together by general category. If you choose to submit an abstract, please follow the guidelines and provide complete information. This will greatly assist the Program Committee in their review process and enable the correct assignment of your abstract to the appropriate program session.
Please take note that this year's meeting coincides with Election Day. Make plans for absentee or early voting.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Bring the AREA Program to Your Neighborhood
Each year, AALAS conducts the Animal Research Education & Awareness (AREA) Program at the National Meeting to inform high school science students about the importance of quality laboratory animal care and research. This enlightening and engaging program, which receives rave reviews from educators, provides students with the unique opportunity to interact with laboratory animal science professionals and learn how biomedical research is advancing human and animal health. With the help of Pfizer, the AALAS Foundation now offers complimentary resources to help your branch conduct an AREA Program at your next branch or district meeting.
Conducting an AREA Program is a great way to advance students’ understanding, respect, and support for laboratory animal science. It’s also a fun way to make an impact on the lives of young people interested in science and medicine. The online AREA Program Guide (aalasfoundation.org/AREA_Program_Guide/player.html) contains complete instructions on how to conduct this tried-and-true program. The guide includes everything you need to make this an easy and rewarding experience for your branch members and AREA participants. In addition to the step-by-step guide, AALAS also offers free AREA Program backpacks, notebooks, pens, and Foundation outreach materials.
Most branch AREA expenditures are limited to lunch for program participants, printing costs, and meeting room expenses, though some go the extra mile and reimburse schools for transportation expenses related to the event. Some branches recruit sponsors to cover these expenses. Two other potential funding sources for your program are the Ben Cohen Branch Education Fund and the Pfizer Branch AREA Program Fund. The Cohen Branch Education Fund supports qualified educational programs offered by AALAS branches. In order to qualify for funding, branches must meet the branch compliance criteria and submit a complete application, including all supplemental documents. (Retroactive funding is not available). A limited number of AREA Program grants are also available through the Pfizer Branch AREA Program Fund. For information on how your branch can apply for these grants, please contact AALAS Foundation Administrator Mike Mathy at foundation@aalas.org.
Conducting an AREA Program is a great way to advance students’ understanding, respect, and support for laboratory animal science. It’s also a fun way to make an impact on the lives of young people interested in science and medicine. The online AREA Program Guide (aalasfoundation.org/AREA_Program_Guide/player.html) contains complete instructions on how to conduct this tried-and-true program. The guide includes everything you need to make this an easy and rewarding experience for your branch members and AREA participants. In addition to the step-by-step guide, AALAS also offers free AREA Program backpacks, notebooks, pens, and Foundation outreach materials.
Most branch AREA expenditures are limited to lunch for program participants, printing costs, and meeting room expenses, though some go the extra mile and reimburse schools for transportation expenses related to the event. Some branches recruit sponsors to cover these expenses. Two other potential funding sources for your program are the Ben Cohen Branch Education Fund and the Pfizer Branch AREA Program Fund. The Cohen Branch Education Fund supports qualified educational programs offered by AALAS branches. In order to qualify for funding, branches must meet the branch compliance criteria and submit a complete application, including all supplemental documents. (Retroactive funding is not available). A limited number of AREA Program grants are also available through the Pfizer Branch AREA Program Fund. For information on how your branch can apply for these grants, please contact AALAS Foundation Administrator Mike Mathy at foundation@aalas.org.
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