Animal Program: Photography and Videography

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Policy Number:
UW-4127
Old Policy Number:
2012-048-io
Responsible Office:
Research Animal Resources and Compliance

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

This policy is intended to protect the integrity of UW–Madison research and teaching, protect proprietary information, and ensure respect for the privacy and safety interests of staff and students.

Principal investigators (PIs) and staff who wish to allow filming in animal use areas for reasons not described below should communicate their intent to their school or college’s dean’s office or the Office of Strategic Communication. Reaching out for guidance from communication professionals is highly recommended for photography and filming by outside interests (e.g., journalists).

Conditions under which access to animal use areas is permitted is described in UW-4126 Animal Program: Access to UW Animal Use Areas and Required Protective Attire

Policy:

  1. Policy Detail

    1. Use of a recording device (e.g., film camera, digital camera, camera phones, digital recorder) to capture images of UW–Madison research animals, and/or associated personnel, documents, materials, equipment, vehicles, or facilities, is prohibited with the following exceptions:
      1. When performed by government inspectors (e.g., U.S. Department of Agriculture veterinary medical officer).
      2. When performed by an authorized principal investigator or designee when required for scientific reasons (e.g., publications, laboratory documentation).
      3. When performed by an authorized principal investigator or designee for the purpose of recording instructional activities covered by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)-approved protocol.
      4. When performed by personnel authorized by research animal veterinary staff when required to assist in the clinical management of a disease.
      5. When performed by authorized personnel when required to document the condition of facilities, or compliance or animal handling issues at the direction of university officials, IACUCs, veterinarians, or representatives of federal agencies.
      6. When reporting concerns related to animal welfare under UW-4117 Animal Program: Whistle Blower Policy and Posting. Concerns must be reported within 24 hours of the image being captured.
      7. When authorized by the principal investigator for teaching or outreach.
      8. When capturing images of public display animals for teaching or outreach.
    2. Violation of this policy may be considered insubordination and result in discipline up to and including termination of employment.

  2. Guidance for Implementing This Policy

    1. Rights of Individuals

      1. Students, staff, and faculty who may be photographed in the course of their work must be informed when such activity is imminent.
      2. Any individual may decline being photographed, filmed, or recorded and is not required to be subject to recording.

    2. Unintended Distribution of Images

      1. Ask visitors to read this policy prior to entering animal facilities or taking photography or other recordings, and add this policy to facility-specific standard operation procedures (SOPs). This will reduce unintentional exposure of students, staff, and faculty to unwanted attention and harassment or misrepresentation of the nature of animal activities occurring at UW–Madison.
      2. Photographs and video images of animals used in teaching and research are often the targets of public records requests. Faculty and staff are encouraged to consult with the Office of Legal Affairs prior to creating such photographs or video images.
      3. Secure the processing, transport, and storage of negatives, disks, tapes, media cards, etc. taken by principal investigators or lab personnel in the course of their work.
      4. Show context in audio or visual recordings (e.g., if an animal is anesthetized or sedated, include the vaporizer or tray holding the bottle of the injectable drug; have personnel wearing required personal protective equipment appropriate for the work appear in the image).
      5. For security purposes, do not show animal identifiers (e.g. cage cards, tattoos) or landmarks (e.g., room numbers, workers’ name badges/IDs) in images.

    3. Other

      1. Other campus policies may apply. Consult University Relations: Policies and Guidelines.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Associate Vice Chancellor of Research Policy and Compliance
Policy Manager:
Associate Vice Chancellor of Research Policy and Compliance
Contact:
IACUC Administrator -- IACUC Administrator, iacuc_administrator@rarc.wisc.edu, (608) 262-1238
Effective Date:
06-20-2012
Date Issued:
06-20-2012
Revised Dates:

05-01-2017, 06-01-2017, 05-01-2018

Retrieved:
03-27-2025 10:12:46