Post Approval Monitoring Program

The University's Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM) Program, aligned with Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) standards, is grounded in quality assurance principles.

Its core objectives—ensuring compliance with approved protocols, upholding high standards of animal welfare, and fostering collaboration among researchers, facility staff, and ACUCs—drive a structured approach to monitoring, procedural refinement, and enhanced communication. This proactive framework not only identifies potential issues but also addresses them promptly, ensuring that research practices consistently meet ethical and welfare standards.

Key Features of the Program

Post Approval Monitoring Team

Manages the program and incorporates information from multiple sources, such as animal use protocols, facility health and operational programs, site visits, incident reports, and welfare incidents.

Activities

The PAM Program encompasses both formal and informal audits, including facility assessments, alternate animal housing inspections, unannounced walk-throughs, and reviews of protocols and SOPs. Routine activities, such as daily animal checks, veterinary rounds, and regular quality control reviews of animal husbandry practices, are also integral to the program. Studies considered higher risk—those involving invasive, complex, or novel procedures—are prioritized for auditing to ensure rigorous standards of care.

Record Keeping as PAMREPORT

PAM reports may be linked to a specific Animal Use Protocol or remain unlinked for incidents that pertain to facility events or welfare concerns arising from anonymous reports. Examples of unlinked reports include events that do not impact a specific protocol or animals directly, such as general facility incidents or investigations prompted by anonymous inquiries.

Collaborative Approach

The program fosters collaboration and collegial processes, sharing best practices, addressing problematic areas, and addressing novel issues in animal care and use.