BYLAWS (Article IV, Section 6):

1. Maintain file on relevant legislation.

2. Provide advice on animal care issues.

3. Inform membership of relevant legislation.

POLICY:

1. Section 2 e. Review manuscripts submitted by Editorial Office.

2. Section 8 f. With the President, send out letter of inquiry if paper submitted to an ABS related function is thought to violate ABS Animal Care Guidelines.

ADDITIONAL:

The Animal Care Committee (ACC) was established to aid ABS members in complying with existing federal and international legislation on animal welfare and on endangered species, and to provide a forum for dialogue among ABS members regarding what constitutes proper care and use of animals in behavioral research. Specifically, the committee has the following responsibilities:

1. The ACC maintains a file on current federal and international legislation on animal welfare, endangered species, and importation of research animals.

2. ACC maintains a list of endangered species and guidelines on care and treatment of research animals.

3. ACC attempts to stay informed on pending federal legislation and other events relevant to animal welfare and to inform the ABS membership of such events when it is deemed necessary.

4. ACC is available to ABS members who seek counsel concerning the treatment of animals in proposed research or teaching. In such a case, the ACC reviews the proposed activity and makes recommendations to the member. Such counsel is considered purely advisory and not binding upon the individual.

5. ACC reviews complaints by ABS members about papers presented at national or regional animal behavior meetings. If the ACC concludes that the complaint is justified, it may contact the author(s) of the paper, inform them of the complaint, and offer suggestions on alternative methods. This is to be done in writing and in a spirit of cooperation and dialogue rather than of judgment of condemnation.

6. ACC reviews manuscripts submitted to it by the Editor of Animal Behaviour. The ACC decision is based on a consensus of the opinions of its members. The final recommendation, which is only advisory and not binding on the Editor, is written by the Chair of the ACC. Recommendations may include acceptance as is, acceptance with revisions in the form of discussions of ethical considerations arising from the research in question, or rejection.

7. ACC acts as a liaison with the Ethical Committee of the Association for the Study of Animal Behavior (ASAB), and cooperates with it in writing all joint ABS-ASAB animal care guidelines published in Animal Behaviour.

8. ACC maintains channels of communication with local and national animal welfare organizations and with the animal care committees of other professional societies. The ACC, however, must not act jointly with any other group(s), or in any way endorse their views, without the previous approval of the ABS Executive Committee.

9. ACC is responsible for updating and revising the ABS Animal Care Guidelines when this becomes necessary. Any such revisions must have the approval of the ABS Executive Committee before becoming effective.

10. ACC may engage in educational activities or events (e.g., informational tables or workshops at meetings) which encourage discussion and awareness of issues relevant to the treatment of animals in behavioral research and teaching.

11. Submit annual report to Executive Committee.

12. Send materials to Historian. This includes:

a. ABS "Animal Care Guidelines" and all revised and updated versions.

b. ABS-ASAB joint animal care guidelines published in Animal Behaviour, including all revised and updated versions.

c. Copies of all annual reports of the ACC, including committee membership for each year.

d. All correspondence or complaints submitted to the ACC regarding papers presented at ABS or regional animal behavior meetings.

e. Correspondence on manuscripts submitted to the ACC by the Editor of Animal Behaviour that are subsequently rejected due to animal welfare considerations.

f. Any other correspondence or items deemed to be of particular importance by the Chair of the ACC.