Guidance Principles

Welcome to our Animal Care and Use Program. These principles guide the ethical, humane, and scientifically responsible care and use of animals in research and teaching at our institution.

They are designed to ensure researchers, animal care professionals and staff comply with institutional policies, Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines, and best practices in animal welfare.

For more information on applying for research involving animals, compliance expectations, or available resources, explore our detailed guidance sections or contact the ACUC Office at reoffice@ualberta.ca.

1. Ethical Framework

We prioritize the ethical use of animals in research by adhering to the internationally recognized Three Rs principles:

  • Replacement: Encouraging the use of non-animal alternatives wherever scientifically feasible.
  • Reduction: Designing experiments to minimize the number of animals used while achieving robust results.
  • Refinement: Employing methods to reduce pain, distress, and suffering, while enhancing animal welfare.

As part of our commitment to humane treatment, all procedures must include well-defined humane interventions and endpoints.

2. Comprehensive and Detailed Animal Use Protocols (AUPs)

Your Animal Use Protocol (AUP) is the foundation of your research involving animals.

  • Ensure your AUP is complete and detailed so that your research team, the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC), and animal support services understand every element of your proposed care and use.
  • Include information on procedures, welfare considerations, humane interventions, scientific, and humane endpoints.
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) must remain current and aligned with institutional standards.

3. Research Team Training and Compliance

All research team members must:

  • Complete institutional animal-use training appropriate for the species and procedures they will perform.
  • Undergo skills assessments when:
    • Performing high-impact or invasive procedures requiring specialized expertise.
    • Introducing novel techniques or invasive methods not previously reviewed by the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC).
    • Addressing concerns identified during Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM) or by veterinary staff.
    • Compliance with corrective ac