UC San Diego animal facilities and programs adhere to the extensive system of laws, guidelines, regulations and principles that protect the welfare of laboratory animals in the United States, including the Animal Welfare Act and the Health Research Extension Act.

UC San Diego maintains full AALAC International accreditation as well as an Animal Welfare Assurance with the U.S. Public Health Service. Animal care programs and facilities are reviewed by multiple governmental agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

• The responsibilities of UC San Diego’s Vice Chancellor for Research include serving as the Institutional Official (IO) who assures that the University’s Animal Care and Use Program meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements for the care and use of animals in research teaching and training. The IO, as a representative of senior administration, bears the primary responsibility for the Program and is responsible for resource planning and ensuring alignment of Program goals with the institution's mission.
  
  
• The Animal Care Program is responsible for animal care and use at UC San Diego and is directed by the Attending Veterinarian who is board certified by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and has an extensive background in clinical veterinary medicine and research. The Animal Care Program is made up of a team of professionals and paraprofessionals (including specialist veterinarians) committed to improving human and animal health, and promoting valuable advances in science. The team works to ensure humane animal care while facilitating and participating in research, teaching and training.

• Every UC San Diego study that involves animals must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), composed of scientists, university veterinarians and community members, whose responsibility is to ensure that the animals are treated humanely. The IACUC is supported by an administrative office responsible for the review and approval process. The IACUC continually monitors research activities for compliance with all regulatory requirements for the humane care and use of animals in research, teaching and training.