A25 – Animal Care and Use Procedures

1. Purpose

1.1

The purpose of these procedures is to support the Animal Care and Use Policy (the “Policy”) and provide information on how to implement the Policy.

2. Definitions

2.1

All terms used as definitions in these Procedures shall have the same meaning given to them in the Policy.

3. Procedures

3.1 Animal Use Protocol and Animal Care Committee

3.1.1

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.

3.1.2

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 (ACC), for review and approval prior to the activity or procedure taking place.

3.1.3

All RRC Polytech animal-based teaching activities, regardless of where they will take place, shall be conducted in accordance with a written AUP which must be submitted to, and approved by, the ACC prior to the teaching taking place.

3.2

The ACC will review, provide recommendations and approve AUPs before any of the activities/procedures in the protocol take place.

3.3

Upon AUP approval, the instructor(s), faculty member(s), and any contractor(s) of RRC Polytech are responsible for ensuring that the procedures set out in the AUP are followed during the animal activity or procedure.

3.4

Post implementation of the AUP, the lead instructor(s) will complete a retrospective analysis of the AUP, student and animal ratios, animal welfare assessments, and AUP end points as well as any incidents or errors that may have occurred, and any recommendations or revisions to the protocol. These reports will be discussed annually with the ACC prior to renewal of the protocol.

3.5

The ACC Chair is expected to report any concerns or appeals brought forward directly to the Dean, Health Sciences and Community Services.

3.6 Whistleblowing

Members of the Polytech community or the public who have good faith concerns or complaints can submit an “Animal Welfare Concern or Complaint Form”. The form will be forwarded to the relevant Program Chair and Associate Dean, who will inform the ACC. Together, they will review the complaint form and classify the complaint as minor or major.

3.6.1 Minor Complaints

Minor Complaints may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Inadequate documentation (e.g., incomplete cage cards or treatment logs).
2. Unintentional deviations from the relevant AUP with no significant harm to animals.
3. Minor facility cleanliness issues that do not pose an immediate threat.
4. Communication breakdowns among staff that may affect scheduling or enrichment practices.
5. Insufficient enrichment or handling practices that do not constitute abuse but may not meet best practices.
6. Staffing shortages impacting routine care, when promptly addressed, otherwise it shall be classified as a Major Complaint.

3.6.2. Major Complaints

Major Complaints may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Animal abuse or cruelty, including intentional harm or neglect.
2. Unapproved procedures being performed on animals.
3. Violation of AUPs approved by the ACC.
4. Lack of veterinary care for sick or injured animals.
5. Unauthorized animal acquisition or housing.
6. Researcher misconduct involving falsification of animal care records.
7. Failure to comply with national animal care guidelines as per the CCAC.
8. Unsafe working conditions for personnel handling animals, which may also impact animals.
9. Systemic failures in institutional oversight or facility conditions (e.g., repeated temperature failures, sanitation issues, etc.).

3.7

The relevant Program Chair will acknowledge receipt of the complaint.

3.8

The ACC will institute an investigation of all complaints considered major. Minor complaints will be resolved informally by the relevant Associate Dean and Program Chair.

3.9

When a major complaint is under review, all further utilization of animals as outlined in the AUP will be suspended pending guidance from the ACC. When a concern is determined to be major, a review by the ACC with recommended actions shall be performed and submitted to the relevant Associate Date and Program Chair as soon as reasonably possible and no utilization of animals will occur until such time as the recommendations are implemented.

3.10

All reports will be promptly handled with confidentiality, and individuals making reports in good faith shall be protected from reprisal.

3.11

Records of Whistleblowing reports shall be retained by the Office of the Associate Dean, Health and Community Services for a minimum of three years.

3.12

The relevant Associate Dean will inform the Dean, Health Sciences and Community Services that a major complaint has been made and investigation has commenced.