Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Eighth Edition)

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide), now in its eighth edition (2011), provides a framework for assisting “institutions in caring for animals in ways judged to be scientifically, technically, and humanely appropriate” and to “assist investigators in fulfilling their obligation to plan and conduct animal experiments in accord with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles.”

"Recommendations in the Guide are based on published data, scientific principles, expert opinion, and experience with methods and practices that have proved to be consistent with both high-quality research and humane animal care and use. The Guide is an internationally accepted primary reference on animal care and use, and its use is required in the United States by the Public Health Service Policy."

The Guide also serves as the primary standard by which AAALAC International assesses and accredits animal care and use programs in the United States.

Under a copyright agreement with the National Academy of Sciences, individuals may download a single copy of the 2011 Guide for personal use directly from the AAALAC website.

In addition to English, the Guide is also available in the following languages:

• Chinese
• Japanese
• Malaysian
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Spanish
• Thai