The Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) — formerly the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) — is responsible for the care of all vertebrate animals on the UNC-CH campus. DCM is committed to programs of excellence in veterinary care and laboratory animal management practices for all species used in UNC-CH research endeavors.

A staff of more than 160 professional, technical and administrative personnel provides quality animal care to a daily population of over 100,000 animals located in animal facilities on and off the UNC-CH campus. Federal funding and foundations sponsor over $200 million in essential animal research on the UNC-CH campus conducted by the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Public Health, Pharmacy, as well as the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. Administratively the Division reports to the Vice Chancellor for Research.

The Division’s program is reviewed semi-annually by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and has been accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) since 1973. DCM and the University also meet U. S. Department of Agriculture and Public Health Service standards and regulations. A major responsibility of the Division’s veterinarians, veterinary technicians and laboratory technicians is the health care and humane use of all animals. As laboratory animal specialists they provide a comprehensive program of veterinary care, offer technical advice and assistance, and provide needed laboratory and pathology services for diagnostic and research purposes.

More than 115 laboratory animal technicians provide humane animal care for animals located in the animal facilities. Their goal is to provide a humane, enriching environment for the animals under their charge, free from any variables that could compromise a research project.

 Accredited since 1973