Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-21T23:04:22.068Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Educative Role of an Animal Care Committee in Canada: A Case Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

A D Bowd*
Affiliation:
Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1, Canada
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Animal Care Committees (ACCs) in Canada operate within guidelines established by the Canadian Council on Animal Care, an autonomous advisory and supervisory body sponsored by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. ACCs are established to ensure appropriate, humane use of animals in research and teaching, including the adoption of valid alternatives. Their role includes an educative responsibility: to ensure that both ACC members and scientists using animals are acquainted with the ethical issues surrounding animal use and principles relating to refinement of techniques, reduction of numbers used and replacement where possible.

Strategies employed by one university ACC consistent with these aims are described and evaluated. Qualitative and quantitative data are presented derived from participant observation by the author as an ACC member, committee protocols, minutes and other records and a survey of animal users ‘ perceptions of the role and value of the ACC. Results indicated a relatively low level of familiarity with ethical principles relating to the humane treatment of animals, although regulations governing housing and care were well known.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1997 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

References

Boisvert, D 1994 The Use of Animals in Teaching. Paper presented to the Ontario Regional Workshop: ACC Role and Responsibilities. Canadian Council on Animal Care: Toronto, CanadaGoogle Scholar
Boisvert, D P J and Johnson-Lussengurg, C M 1992 Scientific merit: who is responsible? In: Canadian Council on Animal Care Animal Care Committees: Role and Responsibilities. Canadian Council on Animal Care: Ottawa, CanadaGoogle Scholar
Canadian Council on Animal Care 1980 Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals, Volume 1. Canadian Council on Animal Care: Ottawa, CanadaGoogle Scholar
Canadian Council on Animal Care 1993 Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals, Volume 1, 2nd Edition. Canadian Council on Animal Care: Ottawa, Canada.Google Scholar
Russell, W M S and Burch, R L 1959 The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique. Charles C Thomas: Springfield, Illinois, USAGoogle Scholar