Animal Welfare

McLaughlin Research Institute is committed to best practices and compassionate care in animal research. 

If you believe that mistreatment of animals or noncompliance with research protocols has occurred, timely reporting is essential to protect the animals involved, and potentially personnel and the Institute. Given the diversity of the research carried out in the Institute, it is not possible to provide an exhaustive list. As such, judgement is required to determine if mistreatment or noncompliance has occurred.  Whenever possible, investigators work together with the Animal Resource Center personnel and attending veterinarian to prevent or resolve a problem.

If in doubt, a report may be submitted regarding any concern. Once a report has been received, the Institute will immediately remedy any incidents that might jeopardize animal care, safety of personnel and institutional research integrity.  Furthermore, any allegations of suspected misuse or deficiencies regarding the care and use of animals in research will be reported to the IACUC within 48 hours, investigated and reviewed.

An individual reporting a suspected deficiency need not identify themselves to make a report. Additionally, the McLaughlin Research Institute policy and the law of the state of Montana protects individuals from reprisal or retaliatory action for reporting concerns.

If you wish to report or discuss a concern or perceived problem, please use the form provided below or contact one of the individuals below.  If this is an urgent issue, please contact the Animal Resource Center directly.

Animal Resource Center Director, Rose Pitstick: 406-454-6022

Institutional Veterinarian, Andrea Panter, DVM: 406-452-6208

To report a concern, please submit the Animal Welfare Concern Form below. If you wish to remain anonymous, please submit the Animal Welfare Concern Form but do not include your name or email address.