Understanding Adverse Events in Animal Research

An Adverse Event (AE) is any unexpected or unintended outcome that affects the welfare of animals used in research or teaching — regardless of whether it was caused by human error, a procedural issue, or simply an unpredictable event.

Adverse events are not “violations” or “punishments.” They are an essential part of maintaining a transparent and compliant animal care program in research, teaching and learning and production.

Reporting them helps the IACUC and research team:

• Identify trends or emerging issues that may not be visible from a single incident.

• Evaluate and strengthen protocols, procedures, and environmental factors to prevent similar events in the future.

• Demonstrate accountability and due diligence to regulatory agencies, funding bodies, and the public — showing that the institution prioritizes animal welfare and scientific integrity.

• Support the research team, ensuring when unexpected situations arise, they are documented, reviewed, and addressed appropriately.

Adverse event documentation is about learning and improvement, not blame. Even when an incident is minor or unavoidable, documentation provides valuable information that helps the IACUC uphold ethical and regulatory standards, protect animals, and support researchers.

In short, AE reporting is a quality assurance and welfare safeguard, not a disciplinary process.

Every report strengthens the program’s credibility and the collective commitment to responsible animal care.