Post-Approval Monitoring Program

What is Post Approval Monitoring?

Post Approval Monitoring (PAM) is an important Canadian Council On Animal Care (CCAC)-mandated program and a vehicle to fulfill Section 17. 2) of Ontario's Animals for Research Act (R.S.O. 1990, A.22) overseen by Western's Animal Care Committee (ACC) and undertaken by arms-length designates to ensure:

  • Animal-based science practice aligns with principle, as outlined within the approved Animal Use Protocol (AUP), and
  • National, provincial and institutional standards of animal care and related operations are met.

PAM is undertaken through regular onsite presence using a collaborative approach by all responsible parties to identify and correct all variances from approved AUPs, institutional policies and procedures and/or current veterinary standards, and to promote optimal animal care and welfare.

Any issues identified during PAM activities must be communicated and resolved by those responsible in a timely manner. Issues that are not readily resolved should be addressed through the Concerns process adjudicated by Western's ACC Executive Working Group (see Concerns Policy and Procedures).

Benefits

Proactive onsite presence:

  • Facilitates effective communication;
  • Provides meaningful support for all involved stakeholders;
  • Helps ensure that animal environment, health and welfare issues do not arise and/or are promptly addressed;
  • Identifies and quickly resolves concerns, Animal Use Protocol (AUP) drift and/or animal facility concerns; and
  • Addresses questions from Laboratory Animal Facility Supervisors and animal-based scientists.

PAM Program Elements

The ACC's mulifaceted PAM Program is laid out within its Post-Approval Monitoring Policy (POL-005).

Post-approval monitoring is undertaken by knowledgeable arms-length designates of the ACC, who ensure that all animal holding and use areas, including procedure rooms, are visited with a frequency proportional to risks to animal health and welfare. 

 PAM Program Elements

 PAM Visits by Animal Health Professionals

The Animal Ethics & Care Program (AECP) Compliance Team, comprised of arms-length animal health professionals, is responsible to undertake visits outlined within the PAM Visits by Animal Health Professionals Policy and Procedures.

Overview of PAM Visits by Animal Health Professionals