Animal Use and Care

Scope

Compliance with University policy extends to all members of the University community that use animals for research and teaching

Introduction

Nipissing University is committed to the ethical care and use of animals in science. At Nipissing University, animals are used only for research that has been verified as having high scientific merit, important relevance, and exemplary animal-use standards. In teaching, animals are used for the purpose of scientific and technical education. Nipissing University is committed to ensuring the highest possible standards in the care, well-being and quality of life for all of our animal subjects.

Applicability

This policy applies to all university personnel and students who use animals in their research and teaching. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that university personnel and students using animals for research and teaching know and understand the expectations of Nipissing University.

Essential Ethical Principles of Animal Care and Use

1. Animals used in research and teaching at Nipissing University must be cared for and maintained in accordance with the:
   
   1. Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Guidelines;
   2. Tri-Council (NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR) requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Roles and Responsibilities in the Management of Federal Grants and Awards;
   3. Regulations of the Province of Ontario under the Animals for Research Act (1990).
2. Nipissing University upholds the Russell-Burch “3R” tenet of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement in the design and review of animal use protocols.

Animal Care and Use Committee

1. Nipissing University’s Animal Care Committee (ACC) is responsible for ensuring the ethical care and use of animals in science.
2. ACC and the University Veterinarian have the authority, on behalf of the Provost and Vice President, Academic and Research of Nipissing University to enforce the CCAC guidelines (required for compliance and awarding of grants) and the regulations of the Province of Ontario (required for maintaining an animal facility) and if necessary to:
   
   1. stop any objectionable procedure if it considers that unnecessary pain or distress is being experienced by the animal;
   2. terminate immediately any use of animals that deviates from the approved protocol;
   3. humanely euthanize an animal if pain and distress caused to the animal cannot be alleviated;
   4. order the closure of the animal care facility if CCAC standards, Provincial regulations are not met and/or the well-being of the animals housed in the facility are being endangered.
3. ACC will review and manage all animal use applications. All research and researchers will operate under the jurisdiction of the ACC.

Ethics Review for Animal Use

1. All projects involving the use of animals for the purpose of research and teaching must receive written approval from ACC in accordance with the regulations of the Province of Ontario Animals for Research Act (1990) and the guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care.
2. If Nipissing University is the host institution for shared animal research protocols, the “CCAC Guidelines for Animal-Based Projects involving Two or More Institutions (2003)” shall apply.
3. Animals will only be used when credible scientific merit for research use and/or pedagogical value for teaching has been established for the animals to be used and when alternative procedures are not feasible.
4. ACC will ensure that species are selected to ensure the most effective use of animals, that the least invasive techniques possible will be employed, and that the minimum number of animals required to achieve the objectives of the research and/or teaching programs will be used.
5. The alleviation/reduction of pain and distress will be the primary concern during and following procedures.

Accountability and Transparency

1. All persons caring for and using animals will be trained to an appropriate level of competence to ensure maximum benefit to the animals.
2. Every effort shall be made to cooperate with local and provincial animal welfare agencies, the news media, and the public regarding the use of animals in research and teaching.

Procurement of Animals

1. Laboratory animals must be ordered from an approved animal facility.
2. Wild animals, essential for environmental research, will be studied in the field or brought back to the University for study under controlled conditions, having secured all required permissions from government agencies that regulate the use of wild animals (i.e. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources).

Maintenance of Animals

1. All animals maintained at Nipissing University and the facilities in which they are housed will be subject to periodic inspection, post approval monitoring by the University Veterinarian, government agencies, ACC and/or the Associate Vice President, Research and Academic.
2. All animals will be cared for according to current veterinary standards.

Non-Compliance

1. Conducting animal research that has not been reviewed and approved by ACC will constitute non-compliance.
2. Animal use that contravenes this policy will constitute non-compliance.
3. Non-compliance may be grounds for research misconduct.

Published Procedures of this Policy

• Animal Care Committee Terms of Reference
• Animal Care Committee Scientific and Pedagogic Merit Review Procedure
• Animal Care Protocol Review Procedure

Originally approved February 2011

Revised May 31, 2018 – Board Resolution #2018-05.2-06