The Comparative Medicine Unit (CMU) is a centralized 41,000-square-foot secured facility located on the University campus. It provides animal care services in support of the research and teaching programs at Northeast Ohio Medical University. The facility can accommodate a broad range of laboratory animal species in a safe and secure environment. A disaster plan has been developed to assure appropriate animal care during emergencies.

The institution has an Animal Welfare Assurance on file with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) and is registered as a research facility with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The CMU participates in the highly regarded voluntary accreditation program offered by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International. The CMU has been fully accredited by AAALAC since 1982. The CMU was again awarded Continued FULL accreditation status by AAALAC, International on June 9, 2014.

Mission Statement

The mission of the CMU is to provide the highest standards of animal care and related services in keeping with the Animal Welfare Act regulations, the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the National Research Council’s Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and commonly accepted principles of humane animal care and use. Each member of the CMU staff adheres to these standards in support of the research and teaching missions of Northeast Ohio Medical University and its consortium-related institutions:

by delivering CMU services using a cooperative, collegial and professional team approach;
with due consideration for animal welfare and research and teaching integrity; and
with an ongoing commitment to continuing education.