University of WindsorAnimal User Training Program

Gwendolyn Jeun, D.V.M.

• Honours Bachelor of Science, Zoology (UWO)

• Master of Science, Zoology (UWO)

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (Ontario Veterinary College, U of Guelph)

• Aquavet, Woods Hole

• Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, Connecticut

Legislation and Regulation

• Canadian Council on Animal Care

• OMAFRA - “Animals for Research Act”

• University of Windsor Animal Care Committee

• Ministry of Natural Resources etc. for fieldwork and wildlife

Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)

www.ccac.ca

Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)

The Three Rs

• Reduction

• Refinement

• Replacement

The Three R’s

www.altweb.jhsph.edu

Center for Alternatives to

Animal Testing at

Johns Hopkins University-to foster development of scientifically

acceptable in vitro & other

R-R-R alternatives for animal testing

Replacement

• are there appropriate alternatives?

Refinement

• achieve expertise

• limit pain

• prevent wasting of animals

• expertise can reduce variability thus reducing numbers required

Reduction

• appropriate animal numbers - statistical requirements

• controlling variability

• literature researches

CCAC

How does CCAC accomplish its goals?

3 Rs

Guidelines Assessment Education

CCAC Guidelines• “Guide to the Care and Use of

Experimental Animals, Volumes 1 & 2”

• Vol 1 - principles for good animal care and use

• Vol 2 - husbandry of experimental animals on a species by species basis

• Available through www.ccac.ca

Assessment

• CCAC assessment panel carries out site visits to ensure guidelines are being followed

• status of compliance, conditional compliance or non-compliance

• if non-compliant, CCAC can inform granting agencies (e.g. NSERC)

Education

• via CCAC assessment panel

• CCAC workshops for members of Animal Care Committee

• National Institutional Animal User Training Program (NIAUT) - ensures all personnel are trained in basic principles of lab animal science and ethical issues

Ontario Ministry of AgricultureFood and Rural Affairs

(OMAFRA)

www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA

Animals for Research Act

• provincial legislation protecting all animals used in research and testing

• applies to all vertebrates - fish, rodents, reptiles, birds, primates and livestock

• OMAFRA responsible for administering and enforcing the law

Required by law

• Animal Care Committee at U of W

• Research Proposals or Protocols

Objectives of the Act

• maintain a minimum standard of care

• protect research animals from unnecessary pain

• assure that dogs and cats used for research are obtained legally

Key elements of the Act

• minimum standards of housing and care

• animal care committees

• research proposals

• veterinary inspectors

• dog pounds and supply facilities

• pet protection

Housing and Care

• cage size, construction, cleanliness

• food, water and bedding

• ventilation, temperature, humidity

• transportation of animals

• surgical facilities and procedures must meet established veterinary standards

Protocols

• must be submitted well before animal use is to begin so ACC can review:

-suitable animal numbers

- appropriate species

- appropriate procedures

- unnecessary pain/discomfort

- scientific work

Veterinary Inspectors

• unannounced visits

• authority to enter any area where they believe animal research is taking place

• inspect all aspects of animal use to ensure it meets the requirements of the Act

• can revoke registration of research facility and lay court charges

U of W Animal Care Committee (ACC)

• required by both CCAC and “Animals for Research Act”

• ensures that all animal use meets guidelines

• accomplished via:– research and teaching protocols– training and information sessions– veterinary inspections

ACC Members

• Vice President Research

• representative from each user department

• non-animal user from University

• community lay person

• veterinarian

• student representative

• others as needed

Animal Facilities

• Great Lakes Institute

• Biology

• Psychology

• Human Kinetics (not active currently)

Wildlife and Fieldwork

• all the same rules and regulations apply, PLUS

• additional laws and permits– Migratory Birds Convention Act– Game Export Act– provincial Fish and Wildlife Acts– Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species (CITES)