R3 – Animal Care and Research

Originator: Vice-President, Academic and Research
Approver: Senior Academic Committee
Effective: June 18, 2022
Replaces: April 5, 2005

Policy

Preamble

This policy regarding Animal Care and Research is designed to ensure the humane and exemplary treatment and care of animals in the advancement and transmission of knowledge. RRC Polytech is committed to implementing and maintaining the highest accepted Canadian standards of animal care and use in animal-based teaching, research or testing.

Policy Statement

This policy is designed to ensure that all faculty, students, contractors and researchers of RRC Polytech implement the highest Canadian standards of care for any animals that are used for teaching, research or testing purposes at the College.

Scope

This policy applies to all faculty, students, contractors and researchers associated with RRC Polytech.

Definitions

Animal: The term “animal” as defined in this policy refers to vertebrate animals. It is recognized, however, that in regard to ethical issues surrounding the experimental use of animals, it will be necessary to include some invertebrates, in particular, cephalopods (octopi and squid), insofar as consideration should be given to the complexity of the central nervous system of a species and its sentience, rather than any physical appearance and phylogenetic relationship to the human.

CCAC: The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) is the national organization responsible for setting and maintaining standards for the ethical use and care of animals in science in Canada.

ACC: The Animal Care Committee (ACC) is RRC Polytech’s animal care committee that is set out and maintained as specified in the ACC’s Terms of Reference (TOR).

CVMA: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association

MVMA: Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association

Principles

1. The College accepts the standards and guidelines established and published by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC). The standards are those outlined in the most current Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals. In addition to adhering to the CCAC standards, there must be adherence to all pertinent federal, provincial and municipal regulations.
2. All activities involving the use of animals must be approved by the Animal Care Committee in accordance with the current standards and guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care.
3. Animals will only be used when alternative procedures are not feasible, and the species will be carefully selected to ensure the most effective use of animals.
4. The number of animals used will be the minimum required to achieve the objectives of the research/teaching program.
5. Alleviation/reduction of pain and distress will be a primary concern for the animals and the least invasive techniques possible will be employed.
6. All animals will be cared for according to the most recent veterinary standards by following all recommendations on animal welfare as espoused by the CVMA, MVMA & CCAC.

Other Related Documentation

Animal Care Committee Terms of Reference (TOR)
Manitoba Veterinary Medical Act
Manitoba Animal Care Act

Procedures

Purpose

This procedure outlines the process for RRC Polytech faculty, students, and contractors to use animals in teaching and/or research.

Definitions

Animal: The term “animal” as defined in this policy refers to vertebrate animals. It is recognized, however, that in regard to ethical issues surrounding the experimental use of animals, it will be necessary to include some invertebrates, in particular, cephalopods (octopi and squid), insofar as consideration should be given to the complexity of the central nervous system of a species and its sentience, rather than any physical appearance and phylogenetic relationship to the human.

CCAC: The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) is the national organization responsible for setting and maintaining standards for the ethical use and care of animals in science in Canada.

ACC: The Animal Care Committee (ACC) is RRC Polytech’s animal care committee that is set out and maintained as specified in the ACC’s Terms of Reference (TOR).

AUP: An Animal Use Protocol (AUP) is required for each teaching or research activity that is using any live animals.

Procedures

1. An instructor(s) or faculty member(s) and any contractors of RRC Polytech responsible for overseeing the use of animals who intend to use animals must be completely familiar with the requirements of animal care and use.
2. An instructor(s) or faculty member(s) and any contractors of RRC Polytech responsible for overseeing the use of animals in a specific activity or procedure will prepare an Animal Use Protocol (AUP) describing the procedural and ethical guidelines for the animal use. This AUP must be submitted to the Animal Care Committee, for review and approval prior to the activity or procedure taking place.
3. All RRC Polytech animal-based teaching activities, no matter where they will take place, are the subject of written Animal Use Protocols that are submitted to, and approved by, the Animal Care Committee.
4. The ACC will review, provide recommendations and approve Animal Use Protocols prior to any of the activities/procedures in the protocol taking place.
5. Upon receiving approval of the AUP, the instructor(s), faculty member(s), and any contractors of RRC Polytech are responsible for ensuring that the procedures set out in the AUP are followed during the animal activity or procedure.
6. RRC Polytech senior leadership is supportive of the ACC and the ACC Chair is able to report any concerns or appeals brought forward directly to the Dean, Health Sciences and Community Services.