To whom must all disaster-related animal deaths be reported?

Reporting all disaster-related animal deaths to OLAW (Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare), USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), and AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care) is essential due to their roles in ensuring compliance with federal regulations and standards regarding the humane care and treatment of animals in research.

OLAW oversees the welfare of animals in research settings and ensures that institutions adhere to the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The USDA enforces the Animal Welfare Act, which mandates reporting requirements in certain circumstances, including disaster situations where animal welfare may be compromised. AAALAC provides accreditation to institutions that meet high standards of animal care, and part of their mandate includes monitoring events that could affect the welfare of animals.

Thus, these organizations need to be informed of any significant incidents, including disaster-related animal deaths, to enhance compliance, investigations, and potentially improve regulatory policies surrounding animal care in research environments. This systematic reporting plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of animal welfare standards across facilities.