The following sections outline more information related to UNBC's Animal Care and Use Program.

1. The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) 
2. The Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC)
3. Getting started
4. Training
5. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
6. Health and Safety
7. Additional resources 
8. Important dates 

Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)

The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) oversees and ensures the ethical treatment of animals used in Canadian science, including research, teaching, and testing. It provides the only national oversight of animal-based scientific activities in Canada through a rigorous process of assessment, certification, and development of standards. It also ensures that animals are only used when necessary and that they receive optimal care according to high-quality evidence-informed standards.  

UNBC is certified by the CCAC and holds a Good Animal Practices (GAP) Certificate.

Learn more about the CCAC by visiting their website http://www.ccac.ca.

Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) 

The UNBC Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) is the body that establishes policies and procedures to uphold the CCAC guidelines throughout the institution. They are responsible for the review and approval of all animal-based research, teaching, or testing activities that occur under UNBC auspices, such as on UNBC campuses or UNBC facilities, and by UNBC personnel. 

The ACUC is mandated by the CCAC and reports to the Vice President of Research and Innovation. The CCAC states that the ACUC “is an essential part of every animal care and use program and has the duty to:

• make informed, ethical decisions with regard to the appropriateness of including animals in research, teaching, or testing projects;
• work in a respectful and inclusive environment where all perspectives are encouraged to contribute to ethical decision-making; 
• oversee its institution's animal care and use programs to ensure high standards of animal welfare; and
• act as a strong and visible advocate for the ethical and humane treatment of animals under its care."

See the UNBC Animal Use Policy for more information. 

ACUC Composition

The ACUC is appointed by the Vice President of Research and Innovation and at a minimum is comprised of:

• appointed ACUC Chair
• two researchers / instructors that are involved with animal-based activities
• representative of the institution that does not work with animals 
• animal facility managers
• animal care or technical staff
• student representative
• community member
• veterinarian 
• ACUC Coordinator 

The composition of the ACUC is intentionally diverse to ensure that all stakeholders, including the local community, have a voice with animal-based activities at UNBC. If you are interested in joining the ACUC, or have any questions please contact us at acuc@unbc.ca. 

Getting Started

Most animal-based activities require ACUC approval before the project starts. Refer to this flow chart  for guidance as to whether or not your project requires ACUC approval. All animal-based activities must be declared to the ACUC regardless of whether they require approval. Please direct all questions to the ACUC at acuc@unbc.ca.

Gaining ACUC Approval

1. The protocol author fills out the appropriate protocol application form, available here, or by emailing the ACUC. 
   1. All research activities require scientific merit review prior to submission to the ACUC.
   2. All teaching activities require pedagogical merit review prior to submission to the ACUC, see SOP G-02 Pedagogical Merit for more information. 
   3. On the appropriate form, the protocol author must describe what their plan is to protect the animal's welfare from any potential adverse effects of the proposed work. See SOP G-04 Animal Welfare Assessments for more information. 
2. Completed protocol application forms are submitted to the ACUC via email and must be received on or before the cut-off dates posted here.
3. The ACUC Coordinator pre-reviews the protocol and contacts the protocol author with any preliminary administrational questions. 
4. The protocol is distributed to the ACUC for review prior to a meeting. 
5. The ACUC meets and discusses the protocol in an open forum. All decisions are made by consensus. 
6. The ACUC Chair or delegate will contact the protocol author with a memorandum conveying the decision of the ACUC, which will be one of the following:
   1. Full approval of the protocol, where no revision or further review is required,
   2. Approval of the protocol in principle, but minor revisions are required. Once revisions are received, they must be reviewed by the ACUC before the protocol commences, or 
   3. Non-approval of the protocol. Revisions may be made in response to the comments and concerns of the ACUC and the protocol resubmitted and reviewed by the ACUC.  
7. Animal-based activities may commence when the ACUC Chair or delegate contacts the protocol author with a memorandum approving the protocol. Approval of a protocol is valid for (1) one year. 
   1. If an animal-based activity is scheduled to occur over a period longer than (1) one year, the protocol author must submit a protocol renewal before the date listed on the Memorandum. 
   2. Renewals can be submitted for years (2) two, (3) three, and (4) four. A new protocol must be submitted for year (5) five.
8.  Any changes that occur while the protocol is active must be reported to the ACUC through the appropriate channels. Often this is through an amendment form. All changes must be reported to and approved by the ACUC before they are implemented. Contact the ACUC if your protocol requires a change, and they can advise on the appropriate process for receiving approval. 
9. Any protocol deviance or incident that affects the welfare of an animal must be reported to the ACUC as soon as it occurs. The ACUC will provide a form that must be filled out to track this information. See SOP G-06 Animal Welfare Incident Reporting for more information. 

10. The ACUC oversees animal use throughout the lifetime of the protocol through Post Approval Monitoring. See SOP G-05 Post Approval Monitoring for more information. 

    Refer to the ACUC Terms of Reference for more information about the ACUC and their processes. 

Training 

All animal users must be appropriately trained before beginning work with UNBC. Courses offered through UNBC:

1. Introduction to Animal Use at UNBC - This course is planned to be released in 2025, and will be mandatory for all researchers, staff, personnel, etc.  
2. Introduction to Laboratory Rodents
3. Introduction to Free-Ranging Wildlife 
4. Introduction to Laboratory Rodent Surgery and Anesthesia

To enroll in a course, or for more information, please contact the ACUC. 

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) 

The ACUC maintains a variety of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the standardization of activities that involve animals under their care. Protocol authors are expected to be familiar with the SOPs that are applicable to their application and are encouraged to help develop SOPs for procedures that will be repeated over multiple protocols. 

The SOPs that the ACUC manages are organized into “series” based on the theme of the SOP. 

• A Series: Mouse Care, Procedures, and Welfare 
• B Series: Northern Health Science Research Facility Operations 
• D Series: Northern Health Science Research Facility Equipment: Maintenance and Operations 
• E Series: Emergency Management 
• F Series: Health, Safety, and Security
• G Series: ACUC Administration 
• AQ Series: Aquatic Holding Facility Operations
• W Series: Wildlife
• QRRC: Quesnel River Research Centre (QRRC) Facility and Operations

Current ACUC SOPs are available on a Teams channel that can be accessed by logging in with your UNBC credentials. Please contact the ACUC to gain access to this channel for access to individual SOPs, or if you have any questions.

If you have a SOP from an organization external to UNBC that would be appropriate for your application, simply attach it to your application as an Appendix and the ACUC with review it in the context of your application. If you intend on using an external SOP over multiple applications, please contact the ACUC about getting the SOP approved for general use. 

Health and Safety

Health and safety of personnel are very important when working with animals in science.

Personnel working with laboratory rodents must fill out a medical history questionnaire before entering the laboratory. Completed forms are submitted to the ACUC at acuc@unbc.ca. Specific training is provided through the courses listed above, facility orientations, and hands-on training. 

Personnel working in the field will organize specific training with their supervisor and will complete any other additional training needed through the Safety and Risk Management Department. See the Field Safety or contact safety@unbc.ca for more information.

Important Dates 

Upcoming protocol submission cut-offs:

• Monday, September 2, 2024
• Friday, November 1, 2024
• Monday, January 6, 2024 

Last CCAC Site Visit:

• October 2023

Next CCAC Site Visit:

• Fall 2026