ºìÁ«ÉçÇø

• Home
• Oversight & Compliance
• Animal Research
• ACC
• ºìÁ«ÉçÇø's Animal Care Committee

ºìÁ«ÉçÇø's Animal Care Committee

Under the authority of ºìÁ«ÉçÇø's VP (Research), per MAPP 7.12 Appendix 1, and as outlined within its Terms of Reference, ºìÁ«ÉçÇø'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. 

ºìÁ«ÉçÇø's Animal Care Committee Overview

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.

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