Applying for animal ethics approval
Do I need to apply?
You need approval from the animal care committee (ACC) if you will be:
- using animals or animal tissue for research or teaching
- going into the field to observe or collect
You must apply for and receive ethical approval before you begin your study. You will also need to maintain approval during your study/data collection.
How to apply
Ready to submit a new animal use protocol (AUP)?
Lab and field research AUPs
Please use RAIS to submit:
- Animal-based research projects conducted in a lab environment (i.e., in Animal Care facilities and/or researcher lab facilities)
- Animal-based research projects that will combine lab and field components
- Animal-based research projects that will be fully based in field work
Resources:
Yes. Researchers should follow the same process of having their research ethically reviewed by the university’s ACC, regardless if it’s conducted in Canada.
The ACC is aware that conditions may vary from location to location and will work with the researcher to optimize best practices for performing research with animals outside of Canada.
Researchers should be aware that licensing requirements might vary from location to location. It is the researchers’ responsibility to ensure that all licensing, safety and other legal requirements are met before conducting their research.
The policy associated with collaborative research projects with other institutions involving animals is in sections 24.00‐26.00: Policy RH8110 ‐ Research and Teaching Involving Animals
This includes institutions both within and outside of Canada.
Teaching AUPs
To apply, you need to complete an AUP application and submit it to the animal ethics liaison. Contact your supervisor for assistance.
Resources:
- AUP application help sheet
- AUP annual Review Form
- All animal ethics resources (filter by subject area)
- For the AUP application forms for research or teaching please email the animal ethics liaison.
Expedited minor amendments
The Veterinary Director, Animal Care Services, can approve a minor amendment to an AUP at their discretion, on behalf of the Animal Care Committee. Amendments will be reported to the ACC chair and given final approval at the next ACC meeting.
Example changes
- source of animal
- location of animal accommodation or experimental area
- addition of personnel
- minor changes in procedures (e.g., tail vein injection to saphenous vein injection, change in anaesthetic drug or route of admonition, substitution of one non-invasive procedure for another, equally non-invasive procedure)
- Minor change in animal numbers e.g., 10%
For RAIS lab and field research AUPs, RAIS is now equipped to support expedited amendments.
For teaching AUPs and research AUPs currently in PDF form, please continue to submit this form to the animal ethics liaison: Expedited minor amendment form
ACC deadlines & meeting dates
|
Deadlines for applications |
Meeting dates |
|---|---|
| Friday, August 25, 2023 | Friday, September 15, 2023 |
| Friday, September 22, 2023 | Friday, October 13, 2023 |
| Friday, October 20, 2023 | Friday, November 10, 2023 |
| Friday, November 17, 2023 | Friday, December 8, 2023 |
| *Tuesday, January 2, 2024 | Friday, January 19, 2024 |
| Friday, January 19, 2024 | Friday, February 9, 2024 |
| Friday, February 16, 2024 | Friday, March 8, 2024 |
| Friday, March 22, 2024 | Friday, April 12, 2024 |
| Friday, April 19, 2024 | Friday, May 10, 2024 |
| Friday, May 24, 2024 | Friday, June 14, 2024 |
*To accommodate Holiday closures
2024 Summer Interim Reviews:
The ACC does not hold regular monthly meetings during July and August. Nonetheless, summer remains a busy time for research and the ACC. As such, we use an established process for managing urgent or time-sensitive amendments to existing AUPs and to review new applications to facilitate research in the summer:
| Submission Period | Reviewed by Committee | Decision by |
|---|---|---|
| May 25 - June 28 | July 12 | July 26 |
| June 29 - July 19 | August 2 | August 14 |
| July 20 - August 30 | September 20 (Regular meeting) | Regular process |
Additional information: ACC Summer Interim Review process memo.
Need help?
Email the animal ethics liaison for additional assistance.