About Western's Animal Care Committee

Western’s Animal Care Committee (ACC) - established in compliance with the Ontario Animals for Research Act (1990 R.S.O. c. A.22), the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)'s Terms of Reference for Animal Care Committees and the Agreement on Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions (Sect. 4.4) - oversees the Animal Ethics & Care Program at Western and its affiliates.

Under the authority of Western's VP (Research), per MAPP 7.12 Appendix 1, and as outlined within its Terms of Reference, Western's ACC oversees the Animal Ethics & Care Program (AECP), a comprehensive, integrated program consisting of institutional structures, people, policies and processes that ensure alignment of animal-based science activities with external regulations, guidelines and best practices. 

Per its Terms of Reference, the ACC's key responsibilities include:

  • Thorough ethical review of Animal Use Protocols;
  • Utilize its delegated authority to: stop any procedure it considers objectionable on the basis of unnecessary distress or pain experienced by an animal; stop immediately any use of animals that deviates from the approved use; have an animal euthanized humanely if pain or distress caused to the animal is not part of the approved AUP and cannot be alleviated;
  • Delegate the authority to treat or euthanize animals to an institutional veterinarian; ensure unrestricted access to all animals and animal spaces;
  • Develop, review and disseminate AECP Policy/Procedures;
  • Oversee all spaces used in animal-based science activities; perform ACC Site Visits;
  • Ensure related programs are in place:
    • Institutional Animal User Training Program
    • Post-Approval Monitoring Program 
    • Human safety program;
    • Integrated Crisis Management Program
    • Concerns response program
  • Engage the VP (Research), as appropriate.

To more effectively facilitate this important mandate, the ACC's Executive Working Group - with multi-role representation from the Full ACC - provides regular oversight through its weekly meetings.  For more information link to the ACC Working Groups Terms of Reference.

The ACC guides pre-experimental design and experimental phases by rigorously applying the principles of the 3Rs – Replacement, Reduction and Refinement – to animal-based science activities.

Investigators are mandated to carefully design, and continuously refine, procedures to ensure the correct number of animals are used and, where possible, be replaced by non-animal methods. Western’s ACC also promotes adherence to the PREPARE and ARRIVE guidelines, which promote uniformity in experimental settings and reporting of research involving animals.

Animal research is taken very seriously at Western and affiliates. We respect the unique contributions animals make to improving health, understanding and preventing disease, saving lives and helping us understand wildlife populations to better manage them. Our investigators, research staff, veterinarians and animal care technicians are all committed to humane animal care.

Vision:

To engender a justifiable, supportive and societal educational platform that fosters the highest standards for the ethical use of animals in science through promotion of a transparent ‘culture of care.’

Mission:

To provide leadership in ethical, social and scientific advancements with respect to animal-based science, through promotion of the 3Rs and harm and benefit analysis to develop and promote research excellence.

For more information, contact the Office of the ACC (acc@uwo.ca).