Animal Care and Oversight | Research & Innovation

Advancing scientific knowledge while upholding animal welfare

91��ɫ is committed to conducting world-class research while upholding the highest standards of animal welfare, ethics, transparency and accountability.

The University recognizes the serious responsibility that comes with animal research and therefore prioritizes transparency, continuous improvement and rigorous oversight.

At 91��ɫ, animal research is conducted only where there are no suitable alternatives for scholars seeking to answer important scientific questions, such as those to inform next-generation technologies and treatments that require an understanding of complex, interconnected biological systems and how the brain and body function as a whole. All research involving animals is subject to strict ethical and regulatory oversight and must be approved in advance by 91��ɫ's Animal Care Committee.

Animals involved in research are cared for by trained professionals who are responsible for their health, safety and well-being every day. They receive appropriate food, water, housing and veterinary care, and their health is monitored regularly. Animal care staff and veterinarians are also responsible for identifying and responding to health concerns, including providing treatment or other care when needed.

Animal care and research programs must comply with the standards of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), as well as applicable federal and provincial requirements. These standards cover areas such as housing, nutrition, veterinary care, environmental enrichment, handling, training and the conduct of research procedures.

Over a seventeen-year period, 91��ɫ has successfully maintained its Certificate of Good Animal Practice through multiple CCAC assessment visits, in addition to ongoing provincial inspections. The CCAC recently completed an assessment of 91��ɫ's animal research program.

The CCAC report states:

“The CCAC did not find significant deviations from CCAC policies and guidelines in the ethical use of animals in science; however, opportunities for improvement to the overall program were identified and are outlined in a series of regular recommendations below.”

91��ɫ welcomes the recommendations identified through the CCAC's regular assessment process and is committed to implementing them as part of its ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.

At 91��ɫ, researchers are undertaking world-class biomedical research on brain systems that control vision and the actions of the eyes, head and hand. This work furthers understanding of how the brain transforms perception into behaviour.

This research contributes to the development of next-generation technologies and new approaches to understanding, diagnosing and treating neurological conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, vestibular disorders, stroke, dementia, depression and disorders of movement such as dystonias, ataxias and nystagmus.

Advancing scientific knowledge in these areas also contributes to the development of new technologies and approaches that can reduce the need for animals in future research.

91��ɫ’s Animal Care Committee adheres to the Three R’s framework, which considers replacement, reduction and refinement strategies. The Three R’s are the foundation of the Canadian Council on Animal Care, and act as guiding principles for ethical decision-making on research involving animals and their welfare.

Replacement considers alternative techniques, and complete or relative replacements, to conduct studies without involving any animals
Reduction refers to limiting the number or quantity of animals involved in order to conduct the necessary research or to obtain concrete results
Refinement includes environmental enrichment and making changes or modifications to how the research is done

For more information about the Three R’s, visit the Canadian Council on Animal Care website:

Non-human primates are used only when they are scientifically necessary to answer specific research questions that cannot be adequately addressed using other methods or models.

Research involving non-human primates at 91��ɫ focuses on fundamental questions about brain function, perception, cognition and behaviour. This work can contribute to a better understanding of how neural systems operate and how changes in those systems may relate to neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions.

Researchers supported through 91��ɫ's Connected Minds initiative are also pursuing research that could contribute to next-generation brain-computer interfaces, improved epilepsy monitoring, neuroprosthetic technologies, neurological biomarkers, computational models of decision-making and new approaches to understanding perception and autism.

Before research involving animals can begin, researchers must submit a protocol to 91��ɫ's Animal Care Committee.

The Animal Care Committee reviews proposed research to ensure that:

The research is scientifically justified;
The use of animals is necessary to answer the research question;
The number of animals is minimized;
Procedures are refined to minimize pain, distress and other adverse effects;
Appropriate veterinary care and monitoring are in place; and
The research complies with applicable standards, guidelines, policies and regulations.

Research involving animals cannot begin without the required approvals.

Animal research at 91��ɫ is overseen through multiple levels of review and monitoring.

These include:

91��ɫ's Animal Care Committee;
The University Veterinarian and veterinary professionals;
Trained animal care staff and research personnel;
The Canadian Council on Animal Care; and
Applicable provincial and federal regulatory authorities.

91��ɫ's Animal Care Committee has jurisdiction over animal research conducted by 91��ɫ faculty, staff and students, including research conducted on and off campus.

Over a seventeen-year period, 91��ɫ has had six CCAC assessment visits, as well as multiple inspections by the Provincial Veterinarian. 91��ɫ has maintained its Certificate of Good Animal Practice from the CCAC and its provincial facility licence.

Animals involved in research are monitored by trained animal care professionals and veterinarians. Animal health and welfare are assessed on an ongoing basis, and health concerns are addressed promptly under veterinary oversight.
Research personnel who work with animals must complete appropriate training before undertaking animal-related activities. Training requirements are designed to ensure that personnel are competent to carry out approved procedures and understand their responsibilities for animal welfare.

In some laboratory settings, fluid regulation may be used as part of a positive-reinforcement training program when animals are asked to perform specific, non-harmful tasks.

This is a well-established method used to support training and encourage participation in behavioural tasks. It is not intended to deprive animals of water for extended periods. Animal hydration and health are monitored by trained staff and veterinarians, and research protocols are subject to ethical review and veterinary oversight.

Animal health and welfare are continuously monitored by trained animal care professionals and veterinarians.

When health concerns are identified, they are assessed and addressed under veterinary oversight. The appropriate response depends on the nature of the concern and may include treatment, additional monitoring, modification of procedures or removal from a research activity.

Animal welfare is the priority. A health concern is assessed by qualified personnel and veterinarians, and appropriate treatment and care are provided.

Research protocols also include procedures for responding to unexpected events and health concerns. The Animal Care Committee and veterinary professionals oversee the implementation of approved animal care and research protocols.

Animal housing and care are subject to applicable regulatory standards and institutional requirements.

Housing and care plans take into account the needs of the species and the requirements of the approved research. Depending on the species and research program, this can include environmental enrichment, opportunities for species-appropriate activity and interaction, and other measures designed to support animal welfare.

Some questions about complex brain function cannot be adequately addressed using cell cultures, isolated tissues, computer models or other non-animal methods.

Non-human primates share important characteristics of brain organization and behaviour with humans. In some areas of neuroscience, this makes them an appropriate model for studying complex processes such as visual perception, decision-making and the relationship between neural activity and behaviour.

The use of non-human primates is subject to heightened ethical scrutiny and must be scientifically justified through the applicable review and approval processes.

91��ɫ's Animal Care Committee reviews animal research protocols before research can begin. The Committee considers the scientific justification for the work, the necessity of using animals, the number of animals proposed, the procedures involved, animal welfare considerations and the measures proposed to minimize pain, distress and other adverse effects.

Research is also subject to ongoing monitoring and oversight by veterinarians, trained animal care professionals and external regulatory authorities.

The Canadian Council on Animal Care is Canada's national organization responsible for setting standards and overseeing the ethical use of animals in science.

The CCAC assesses institutional animal care and use programs and evaluates their compliance with CCAC policies and guidelines.

The CCAC recently completed an assessment of 91��ɫ's animal research program. The report states that:

91��ɫ welcomes the recommendations and is committed to continuous improvement.

The University regularly evaluates its practices, responds to recommendations from internal and external oversight bodies, and invests in improvements to veterinary care, monitoring, training, facilities and research methods.

91��ɫ is also investing in a new state-of-the-art research and learning facility at its Keele Campus. The facility will provide modernized research and animal care environments and support the continued advancement of research and animal care standards.

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Advancing scientific knowledge while upholding animal welfare

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