Mission Statement:  Duke University strongly affirms the essential role that research and education involving live animals has in the advancement of biological and  medical knowledge. Further, Duke University acknowledges that animals used  in biomedical research and education should receive the best possible care  and be treated with respect.

In that regard, Duke University is fully accredited by the Association for  the Assessment of Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International  (AAALAC), which requires the adherence to the highest standards of animal  care and use by accredited institutions. The accreditation, which is  entirely voluntary, has been continuous since 1975.  In addition to the AAALAC accreditation, Duke University is registered as  a research facility with the United States Department of Agriculture  (USDA) in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act and all amendments.  Registration covers all facilities where regulated species are used. All  animal facilities are inspected by the USDA to ensure that all activities  involving research animals are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.  Duke also holds a Category I Assurance with the Public Health Service (through the NIH's Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare).  These three relationships confirm the integrity of the program structure, function, and foundation.