What authority must institutions provide to the Attending Veterinarian regarding veterinary care?

The most appropriate option regarding the authority that institutions must provide to the Attending Veterinarian (AV) is access to all animals and resources. This access is crucial because the AV must be able to evaluate the health and welfare of every animal used in research, teaching, or testing. Being able to observe and assess all animals ensures that the AV can monitor their care and provide necessary veterinary interventions, which is essential for compliance with animal welfare regulations and for maintaining high standards of animal husbandry.

While elements such as adequate funding, independence, and authority to approve protocols directly are important aspects of the role of the AV, they do not encompass the fundamental requirement of unrestricted access to the animals and related resources. Without this access, the AV would be unable to fulfill the role effectively, which could compromise animal welfare and the institution's ethical responsibility. Thus, ensuring that the AV has access to all animals and resources directly supports their ability to oversee veterinary care and address any issues that may arise.