ACS - Archived Newsletters

The Animal Care Committee invites all research personnel and facility staff to attend an upcoming Lunch & Learn focused on the implementation of SOP.ACC.818 – Asepsis for Rodent Survival Surgery.

The session, led by ACS veterinarians, will start with an overview of the SOP, followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask questions, and share experiences. Several research groups have identified challenges in meeting the updated requirements, and this session is intended to support implementation by researchers.

Independent peer review of the scientific merit of animal-based research programs or projects, is an important part of the Animal Utilization Protocol (AUP) review process. The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) takes the position that “animal use in research must only be undertaken if expert, independent option has attested to the probable scientific value of the research within its field. Animal based- work can then proceed only if an institutional Animal Care Committee (ACC) finds the use of animals acceptable ethically…” (CCAC, 2013).

In this issue, we share updates from the CCAC National Workshop and CALAS Symposium, highlight new and ongoing training opportunities, and outline upcoming changes to the Animal Use Protocol process. We also provide staffing updates within ACS, including leadership transitions and temporary coverage. As always, we encourage researchers to make use of the support resources available and thank you for your continued cooperation.

Plans to implement and transition to a new AUP system have been unexpectedly and indefinitely halted. Many of you contributed to this initiative through the advisory committee, which included representatives from across the research community. The process had progressed significantly — the RFP was completed, system demos were held, and two vendors had been shortlisted. However, we were informed that the procurement of a new system has been stopped due to budget constraints.

With the first newsletter of the new year, we want to take a moment to thank our research and animal care community for your unwavering dedication and hard work. The care and attention you give to the animals is deeply appreciated and plays a vital role in fostering a culture of compassion at UofG. We look forward to continued collaboration in 2025, supporting your animal-based research while enhancing the well-being of the animals you work with.

We thank our community for reading and sharing the first issue of the Animal Care Community Newsletter. We ask all investigators, educators, and facility managers to continue to share the newsletter with their staff and students. Those who wish to subscribe to the newsletter can submit their names to acc@uoguelph.ca and we will add them to the list.

Welcome to the first edition of our Animal Care Community Newsletter. In each bi-monthly issue you will find updates from Animal Care Services, the Animal Care Committee, and stories from within our community. Our mission is to foster communication amongst those of us who use and work with animals in science at our institution. If you have any questions about the content of this newsletter or wish to contribute to our community spotlight please contact us at acc@uoguelph.ca.