Animal Research Facilities

History

The facility was originally built in early 1980 on the premises of the Catholic University of Puerto Rico. The USDA granted certification as facilities for Scientific Research # 94-R-0010 that same year. In 1983 Ponce School of Medicine and the Catholic University of Puerto Rico joined forces to submit a federal proposal, and received the necessary funds for refurbishment of the facilities in order to comply with more stringent federal requirements. At this time our research facilities were recognized by the USDA as the best throughout Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. In 2005, after receiving additional NIH funding, we completed construction of the current animal facility. In 2007 the President and Dean Dr. Raul Armstrong officially inaugurated the new building “Animal Research Facilities”.

Services

  • Establishment of colonies of animals, especially rodents, for experimentation.

  • Provision of animal care (food, water, and bedding) under the optimal environmental conditions, in addition to care of animals during experimentation.

  • Training and information for researchers and technicians in regard to the animals they intend to use for their studies.

  • Provision and coordination of Continuing Education related to animal care and use.

  • Facilitation of retrieval of information on the characteristics of species for those interested in the use of laboratory animals.

  • Encouragement of student involvement from schools and universities interested in scientific research.

  • Compliance with all regulations, laws and requirements that apply to this type of facility for the maintenance of its accreditations.

  • Provision of veterinary medical services (regular and emergency) to ensure the health and well-being of the animals in the Facilities.

Administration

The ARF is under the deanship of the:

Kenira Thompson, PhD
Institutional Official
President of Ponce Research Institute
Vice President of Research, Ponce Health Sciences University

Caroline Appleyard, PhD
IACUC Chair

Lissette Laboy Molinari
Supervisor and Coordinator
Animal Research Facilities

Monica Montalvo, DVM
Staff Veterinarian

Affiliated Animal Price List

List Rat - Sprague Dawley Rats

Male
Approximate Age in Days Price
Up to 15
$12.00
16-30
$15.00
31-60
$20.00
61-70
$25.00
Untimed Pregnant
N/A
Timed Pregnant
N/A
Lacting Female with litter
N/A
Retired Breeder
$33.00
Female
Approximate Age in Days Price
Up to 15
$12.00
16-30
$15.00
31-60
$20.00
61-70
$25.00
Untimed Pregnant
$40.00
Timed Pregnant
$50.00
Lacting Female with litter
$45.00
Retired Breeder
$33.00

List Mice

Male
Approximate Age in Days Price
Up to 15
$10.00
16-30
$12.00
31-60
$15.00
61-70
$20.00
Untimed Pregnant
N/A
Timed Pregnant
N/A
Lacting Female with litter
N/A
Retired Breeder
$13.00
Female
Approximate Age in Days Price
Up to 15
$10.00
16-30
$12.00
31-60
$15.00
61-70
$20.00
Untimed Pregnant
$30.00
Timed Pregnant
$35.00
Lacting Female with litter
$25.00
Retired Breeder
$13.00
*Prices will change without previous announcement

IACUC AT PHSU-PRI

The IACUC reviews and inspect, at least once every six months, the institution’s program for the humane care and use of animals, and the animal facilities (including the satellite facilities). The committee regularly meets to deal with issues as they arise, such as new protocols or animal concerns. In each case, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide) is used as the basis for evaluation. The IACUC then prepares evaluations as set forth in the PHS policy and submits semi-annual and annual reports to the PHS and the USDA through the Institutional Official (Kenira Thompson , PhD). It also reviews any concerns involving the care and use of animals at the institution and provides written recommendations to both the Institutional Official and to any investigators involved.

All investigators intending to use animals must submit a completed IACUC Protocol using the STREAMLYNE platform as outlined below together with evidence of the appropriate CITI Program Certification for all involved personnel. The IACUC reviews and either approves or disapproves those activities related to the care and use of animals. They may also propose significant changes regarding the use of animals in ongoing activities. Investigators and the institution are informed in writing of any decision to approve or withhold approval of those activities related to the care and use of animals, or of modifications required to secure IACUC approval. Finally, the IACUC is authorized to suspend an activity involving animals.

Investigators are requested to complete a questionnaire regarding animal handling and use annually when requesting renewal of any protocol.  This enables the IACUC to assess the ongoing needs of the investigator. Animal Research Facilities Workshops and ongoing training provide investigators with seminars on the ethical issues of animal use, overview of the IACUC and wet-lab. A video of prior workshops is available for loan to interested investigators or students.

IACUC Committee Members

Caroline B. Appleyard, Ph.D, FAPS
Chairperson, IACUC

Lissette Laboy Molinari
Supervisor Animal Facilities

Harold Saavedra, PhD
Basic Sciences Department, Scientist

James Porter, PhD
Basic Sciences Department, Scientist

Monica Montalvo, DVM
Staff Veterinarian

José Vega, BS
Non-affiliated Community Member

Animal Subject and Statement Protocol

  • The IACUC will not review any protocol form that does not include an abstract outlining the context of the studies and why they will be done.
  • Please answer every question and all the information requested with sufficient detail.
  • Questions not relevant to study should be marked N/A.
  • Fill out form and email to Frances Irizarry

Welcome to STREAMLYNE, a New system experience

PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ENTERING STREAMLYNE…

Overview of the IACUC Protocol & Committee Modules

Streamlyne’s IACUC Protocol & Committee Modules are designed to facilitate the institutional processes that safeguard the welfare of laboratory animals and ensure compliance with the federally-mandated humane care and use of animals involved in research, research training, and biological testing activities. Principal Investigators initiate and submit IACUC protocols, amendments, and continuations within the system. Protocols are automatically routed to the appropriate departments and corresponding IACUCs for review and approval. Reviewers and Committee Members have access to the protocols online where their comments and decisions are preserved. IACUC administrators have all the tools they need to track protocols, coordinate reviews, manage committee meetings, maintain associated correspondence, and properly administer protocols throughout their lifecycles.

CITI Program Certificate Requirements

  • Laboratory Animal Reseach – Researchers OR Laboratory Animal Reseach – Animal Technicians
  • Students Working with Animals OR Students NOT Working with Animals
  • I work with Mice. Faimly: Muridea Cricetidae OR I work with Rats. Genus: Rattus

CITI Program IACUC Guide

**If you do not have a Streamlyne account, complete this form to request an account: http://j.mp/2Atz5pC **

For external users, ff you do not remember your Streamlyne password or you need to reset it, please fill out this form: http://j.mp/2PMWcmy.  The process of the password reset for the account will take from one to two labor days.  Once your password has reset, you will receive a notification to the email address provided with your log in instructions.

Example of the Streamlyne Login Page

ACCREDITATIONS

PHS Animal Welfare Assurance Number: D16-00352 (A3585-1), Effective Dates 8/19/2021 – 7/31/2025

PHS Policy

ACCREDITED BY:

United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) as “Class A Research Facility”: Certified 94-R-9910

Staff

Contact Us

Location

Urb. Industrial Reparada 280
Calle Monterey, Ponce, Puerto Rico 00716

Postal Address

P.O. Box 7004
Ponce, P.R. 00732

Frances Irizarry
IACUC Administrator
Phone: 787-840-2575 Ext. 4752

Jean M. Torres Vázquez
Streamlyne and CITI Program Administrator
Phone: 787-840-2575 Ext. 4754

Lissette Laboy Molinari
Animal House 
Phone: 787-840-2575 Ext. 5653
Fax: 787-841-3330

en_US

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