The Attending Veterinarian or their designee (collectively referred to as “the AV” for purposes of this policy) and the IACUC, in conjunction with the applicable Principal Investigator (PI), if any, are responsible for determining whether a Brown research animal is eligible for adoption.

For a Brown research animal to be eligible for adoption, the following conditions must be met:

• The animal must be in good health and of acceptable behavior as determined by the AV;
• The animal must not have been administered any drugs during the course of Brown research other than Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved human or veterinary drugs or food supplements or pharmaceutically compounded veterinary drugs;
• The animal must not have been exposed to infectious agents during the course of Brown research; and
• The animal must not be transgenic or immune-suppressed.

If any of the above conditions are not met, the animal is not eligible for adoption.

All involved individuals must follow the below process to effectuate the adoption of a Brown research animal:

• The PI or, in cases where the PI is no longer available, the AV, must first indicate that the Brown research animal is no longer needed for research; affirm that the PI or the AV, as appropriate, has no knowledge of any fact that would make the animal ineligible for adoption; and recommend that Brown offer the animal for adoption. If the PI is aware of any conditions that may impact the animal’s eligibility for adoption, the PI must communicate those conditions to the AV.
• The AV will conduct a physical exam of the animal, including blood testing if warranted, administer appropriate vaccinations, and order any other tests required to determine whether the animal is eligible for adoption.
• After this physical exam, the AV and the IACUC will provide a final determination as to whether the Brown research animal is eligible for adoption in accordance with the criteria listed in Section 3.1 of this policy.
• Once a Brown research animal is determined to be eligible for adoption, the AV will interview any individual that indicates an interest in adopting that animal on a rolling/first-come first-served basis to determine the individual’s reasons for adoption, willingness and ability to provide for the animal’s welfare, knowledge of the care needed for the type of animal at issue, and overall qualifications to adopt. The prospective adopter and the AV are encouraged to use the questionnaire linked in Section 7.3 to facilitate this interview.
• If, after the interview process, the AV approves the prospective adopter to adopt the eligible Brown research animal, the AV, in coordination with the prospective adopter, will complete applicable federal, state, and local forms. 
• At the discretion of the AV, the animal may be spayed, neutered, or undergo any other common surgical procedures prior to adoption. 
• Prior to adoption, the AV is responsible for communicating and/or providing the following to the adopter:
  • the results of the AV’s exam and any tests the AV conducted when determining eligibility for adoption; the name of any FDA-approved drug administered to the animal during the course of Brown research. 
• The adopter must complete and sign an Animal Adoption Agreement. The AV will retain the original of this Agreement, a copy will be placed in the relevant animal’s record at Brown University, and a copy will be provided to the new owner as proof of ownership transfer.
• On the day the Animal Adoption Agreement is signed by both the adopter and Brown, the Brown research animal will be transferred from Brown University facilities to the adopter. Once the animal leaves the Brown facility, the adopter owns the animal, the animal is the sole possession and responsibility of the new owner, and the animal is no longer a Brown research animal. Brown University is not responsible for the animal or its care after it leaves the Brown facility.

During the course of the adoption process, Brown will confirm the adopter understands and agrees to the following:

• The adopter is responsible for any and all future medical care or other support of the animal;
• The adopter cannot sell the animal, and the animals must be used only as a personal or family pet; and
• The adopter cannot use the animal for human or animal consumption.

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• Brown University Questionnaire for Animal Adoption

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References:

• American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. Adoption of Research Animals – ACLAM Position Statement updated October, 2017. https://www.aclam.org/about/position-statements, Accessed June 9, 2024.
• American Veterinary Medical Association. Research Cats and Dogs Policy. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/research-dogs-and-cats-adoption, Accessed June 9, 2024.
• CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 2024. Title 9, Animals and Animal Products, Subchapter A (Animal Welfare). Washington, D.C.: Office of Federal Register. OLAW, Frequently Asked Questions – Animal Adoption. Accessed June 9, 2024.