Animal Ethics

Note: Researchers can begin securing approval at the same time as applying for human ethics clearance. Clearance will be conditional until your project has secured approvals.

• Courses using animals require pedagogical merit review through the Scientific Committee on Academic Planning (SCAP), working with a reviewer knowledgeable about the 3Rs, before the Animal Care Committee (ACC) review.
• Research using animals requires scientific merit review if there has not already been an independent, expert peer review done. Scientific merit review is then done through the Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies), Faculty of Science, before the ACC.

Carleton University has a mandatory training program, based on national regulations, that requires training for all personnel involved with the use of animals in research, teaching and testing. Personnel may complete CCAC training modules and a facility orientation before being placed on a protocol, however must be on a protocol before any hands-on training can begin. For exceptional circumstances, alternate arrangements may be discussed with the University Veterinarian.

For access to the animal facility, complete the following training:

• Canadian Council on Animal Care Training: Contact AccBio@carleton.ca
  • If an individual has completed the training within the last 5 years they may provide a certificate of completion to be exempt from repeating the modules
• ACVS training:  https://i.carleton.ca/animalcare/
• Hands-on Training: These training sessions are required as part of the training program before commencing experimental work on an approved animal care and use protocol (AUP).

For students and volunteers who have completed training but have been absent from the facility for 6 months a demonstration of abilities is necessary before proceeding with work on an AUP.

• Complete the applicable protocol submission form:
  • Lab Protocol
  • Wildlife Protocol
• Submit an application through cuResearch for ACC review.

Note, browser compatibility: Internet Explorer or Firefox, not Google Chrome or Safari

To modify a protocol submit the applicable amendment for review:

• Lab Protocol Amendment
• Wildlife Protocol Amendment

The following amendment forms apply to both lab and wildlife protocols:

• Project Team Changes
• Pilot Study Report

Submit an annual renewals and/or final closures form:

• Lab Annual Renewal or Study Closure
• Wildlife Annual Renewal or Study Closure

See how to submit forms as a cuResearch Event.

Monitoring provides an opportunity to improve and refine animal welfare and concomitant high quality reproducible data as well as to ensure transparency. There are several elements to the program led by the ACC and Animal Care and Veterinary Services (ACVS):

• Veterinary and ACVS Rounds
• ACC Annual Site Visits
• Post Approval Reviews
• Non-Compliance Response

If researchers have concerns about the care and use of animals, refer to our Post Approval Monitoring page.