NYMC > Research > Comparative Medicine

Department of Comparative Medicine

The Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) of New York Medical College provides facilities, services, and information to facilitate effective research and training using laboratory animals.  DCM is obligated to ensure that animal care procedures and animal experimentation comply with federal, state, and local guidelines and regulations.  DCM is fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, Intl., (AAALAC), has an animal welfare assurance on file with the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), and is a registered research facility with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

To work in DCM, all personnel must:

  1. Attend the environmental health and safety lecture
  2. Be included on a valid IACUC Protocol
  3. Enroll in an Occupational Health Program
  4. Attend DCM orientation and training
  5. Fill out a DCM access packet

It is the PI’s responsibility to place all new technicians working with animals on a protocol and enroll them in the Occupational Health Program. PIs must also inform DCM when personnel are leaving so access can be deactivated. Volunteers must have volunteer packets filled out by their Department Administrator.

View additional Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee information.

If you are logged into the NYMC network, you may view information on ordering or shipping animals, breeding and weaning rodents, and all required forms.

Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us or call the main office at (914) 594-4215.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a group of individuals appointed by research facilities to ensure compliance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The NYMC committee is made up of scientists, non-scientists, a veterinarian, and an unaffiliated member.

IACUC Responsibilities:

  • Semiannual reviews of DCM program and facility
  • Monthly meetings to discuss and approve new or renewed protocols and any proposed changes to animal use and care in the facility
  • Review all animal welfare concerns
  • Review and approve significant changes to the use of animals in the facility
  • Authorization to suspend use of animals if necessary

Veterinary Pre-reviews are available upon request. Those who are interested can contact the main office at (914) 594-4215 to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian.

If you are logged into the NYMC network, you may view our IACUC forms, instructions and other information.

Ordering and Shipping

Ordering animals is performed exclusively by the Department of Comparative Medicine.

To order animals you must:

  • Have an Approved Protocol and current Grant number on file
  • Complete an Animal Requisition Form and return to the Department of Comparative Medicine Main Office

If you are logged into the NYMC network, you may view our approved vendors, ordering schedules and required forms.