Guidance Principles

Welcome to our Animal Care and Use Program. These principles guide the ethical, humane, and scientifically responsible care and use of animals in research and teaching at our institution.

They are designed to ensure researchers, animal care professionals and staff comply with institutional policies, Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines, and best practices in animal welfare.

For more information on applying for research involving animals, compliance expectations, or available resources, explore our detailed guidance sections or contact the ACUC Office at reoffice@ualberta.ca.

1. Ethical Framework

We prioritize the ethical use of animals in research by adhering to the internationally recognized Three Rs principles:

  • Replacement: Encouraging the use of non-animal alternatives wherever scientifically feasible.
  • Reduction: Designing experiments to minimize the number of animals used while achieving robust results.
  • Refinement: Employing methods to reduce pain, distress, and suffering, while enhancing animal welfare.

As part of our commitment to humane treatment, all procedures must include well-defined humane interventions and endpoints.

2. Comprehensive and Detailed Animal Use Protocols (AUPs)

Your Animal Use Protocol (AUP) is the foundation of your research involving animals.

  • Ensure your AUP is complete and detailed so that your research team, the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC), and animal support services understand every element of your proposed care and use.
  • Include information on procedures, welfare considerations, humane interventions, scientific, and humane endpoints.
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) must remain current and aligned with institutional standards.

3. Research Team Training and Compliance

All research team members must:

  • Complete institutional animal-use training appropriate for the species and procedures they will perform.
  • Undergo skills assessments when:
    • Performing high-impact or invasive procedures requiring specialized expertise.
    • Introducing novel techniques or invasive methods not previously reviewed by the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC).
    • Addressing concerns identified during Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM) or by veterinary staff.
    • Compliance with corrective actions following an incident or non-compliance.
    • Transferring from another institution to confirm their skills meet the standards of our program.
  • Have access to all relevant AUP materials and SOPs.
  • Be listed on the approved protocol and satisfactorily trained before working with animals.

Untrained or unapproved staff, including students, must not perform procedures until they meet all institutional requirements.

4. Protocol Review, Approval, and Amendments

Timelines for Review

  • New protocols require multiple steps before ACUC review. All protocols undergo Facility consultation requiring approval from the Director of Animal Services, and proof of Scientific or Pedagogical Merit which can take several weeks. For New protocols we recommend applying 6 months in advance, depending on the complexity of the study.
  • Pre-Submission Consultation: Ensure your protocol meets standards before official submission by connecting with consulting veterinarian or our ACUC specialist. Contacts can be found under Animal Service Units and ACUC Animal Care and Use Committees (ACUC) page
  • Protocol approvals are valid for one year, with annual renewals required.
    • Submit regular renewals at least 1-2 months before the meeting deadline to ensure review and approval before expiration.
    • Submit 4th-year full renewals at least 3-4 months before the meeting deadline to allow sufficient time for comprehensive review and any required revisions.

Amendments

Submit amendments for any changes to your protocol before implementation.

  • Changes may include:
    • Increased animal numbers.
    • Adding new species, procedures, or agents.
    • Adjustments to pain, distress, or mortality expectations.
  • Significant changes affecting welfare typically require full ACUC review.

Emergency Amendments

Emergency or provisional amendments (e.g., changes to anesthetics or analgesics) may be approved by a veterinarian following consultation with a member of the research team. Such approvals must:

  • Be documented promptly in the ARISE system via Post Approval Monitoring Report.
  • If the emergency practice is to become standard for the protocol, an Amendment submission will be required to formally incorporate it as part of the approved protocol.

5. Adherence to Approved Procedures

Only perform procedures as described and approved in your Animal Use Protocol

  • Follow the approved protocol’s experimental design precisely, including the number of procedures and timeline.
  • Ensure post-procedural monitoring aligns with the approved schedule, even during weekends or nights.
  • Establish a reliable system for humane endpoint monitoring, ensuring all protocol personnel can identify signs of distress or compromised health requiring intervention or euthanasia.

6. Types of SOPs

Institutional SOPs (iSOPs)

These are standardized procedures available in the ARISE system, reflecting institutional best practices for animal care and welfare.

Facility SOPs

Each facility may have its own SOPs specific to its operations. Researchers should consult with the facility team to understand and adhere to these procedures.

Principal Investigators (PIs) SOPs

Principal Investigators (PIs) may develop their own SOPs tailored to their research needs. However, all PI SOPs must be reviewed and approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) before implementation.

7. Oversight, Accountability, and Compliance

Our Animal Care and Use Program is committed to rigorous oversight and strict compliance with national and international standards to ensure the ethical and humane use of animals in research and teaching.

Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC)

Responsible for reviewing and approving Animal Use Protocols (AUPs) and amendments to ensure alignment with institutional policies and the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines, as well as applicable regional laws and regulations.

Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM)

Conducts ongoing assessments of animal use to ensure compliance with approved protocols, providing constructive feedback to facilitate continuous improvement.

8. Record Keeping and Monitoring

Document all procedures and observations to ensure transparency and continuity of care.

  • Use accessible records (e.g., cage cards, procedures and monitoring ) for veterinary and animal care staff to monitor animal welfare.
  • Promptly report to veterinary staff all compilations and concerns about animal welfare, post-procedural monitoring schedules or adjustments to protocols.

9. Humane Endpoint Monitoring and Communication with Veterinary Staff

Develop and maintain a reliable system to ensure humane endpoint monitoring:

  • Ensure all team members can recognize signs of distress or compromised health requiring intervention or euthanasia.
  • If an animal develops any complications following a procedure, or unexpected outcomes you must promptly communicate those complications to the veterinary staff.
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