Archived Newsletters - Issue 12

September 2026

1. RAIMS Program Update: Vendor Announced!
2. Updated ACC Terms of Reference and New Non-Compliance SOP
3. Institutional Personnel Update
4. ACS Personnel Updates
5. Updates to the Animals for Research Act
6. ACC SOP Index
7. Welcome New Students: Start with the Core Modules
8. Reminder to all Newly Certified Surgeons
9. Adoption Corner: Retired Teaching Rats and Mice
10. Recognition of the Borkowski Group by Staff and Management at the Ponsonby General Animal and Sheep Facilities

As shared in a recent Research Alert, the RAIMS Animal Utilization Protocol (AUP) Project has reached an important milestone with the selection of Endpoint IQ as the vendor for the University's new AUP system. Chosen through a thorough and collaborative vendor evaluation process, Endpoint IQ brings extensive experience delivering research management, ethics, and compliance solutions for universities in Canada and around the world.

The selection of a vendor means the project can officially begin! The focus for the first phase will be a detailed implementation roadmap, so for now it is too soon to confirm a launch date for the new system. Researchers should also note that there are no changes to current AUP processes, protocols, or systems at this time.

We extend our sincere thanks to the researchers, faculty, staff, and committee members who contributed their time and expertise throughout the vendor evaluation process. Partnership with the research community will remain central to its success, with opportunities for engagement and feedback along the way. Learn more and follow project updates on the RAIMS Project website.

The Animal Care Committee (ACC) has completed two important documents to further strengthen the University’s animal care and use compliance framework within the guidelines of the CCAC.

The ACC Terms of Reference (TOR), which had not undergone a comprehensive update since2013, has been revised to clearly define the ACC’s responsibilities and processes. The TOR consists of two parts: Part I: Policy and Part II: Procedures. In addition, a new ACC SOP, Animal Care and Use Non-Compliance Procedures
establishes a clear and consistentapproach for addressing administrative and procedural non-compliance related to animal useand AUPs.

Both documents were developed by a subcommittee of ACC members that included faculty representatives, veterinary staff, and ACS administrative staff. They also underwent broader institutional review and consultation, by the VPRI, AVPRS, the Research Services Office legal representative, UGFA, and the Research Services Subcommittee.

These documents are intended to support the University’s obligations to national and provincial oversight bodies, and to provide the animal use community with clearer expectations, greater consistency, and transparent processes to support their animal-based research and teaching activities.

These documents replace any previous processes related to the matters they address and should be used moving forward. We do not anticipate that their implementation will affect how research and teaching personnel conduct their day-to-day work; rather, they formalize and clarify expectations and processes. Questions regarding either document can be directed to
acc@uoguelph.ca.

ACC

New Members Needed! If you believe that you or someone you know could bring valuable insights to the committee, click to find out more!

We are especially seeking community representatives with no affiliation to the University of Guelph to help represent the interests and perspectives of the broader community. If you know someone who may be interested in joining the committee, please encourage them to contact acc@uoguelph.ca to learn more.

AUP help drop-in sessions held every Wednesday from 1:00-2:30pm in-person with ACS or virtually on Teams. Check out the
Interactive Support Sessions for Researchers
page for moreinformation.

Institutional Personnel Updates

After 38 years of dedication to the animals and the research community at the CAF, Annette Morrison has transitioned into a well-deserved retirement. We thank Annette for her commitment, expertise, and contributions over the years, and we wish her all the best in this exciting new chater.

Michelle Cieplak has been named the Team Lead at the CAF to help fill the gaps left by Annettes retirement and accomodate a new facility management structure.

Joe Parkinson and Dave Vandenberg, both previously Managers for the Livestock Research Centres, have accepted new roles as Senior Project Managers (Capitol Development and Renewal Projects).

Amy Richardson has taken on the role of Manager, Livestock Research Centre (Beef, Dairy, Sheep, and Ponsonby General Animal Facility).

Innes Wilson, has taken on the role of Manager, Livestock Research Centre (Equine, Poultry, Swine).

Updates to the Animals for Research Act

As described in ACS Newsletter, Issue 10, animal facilities are required to be provincially registered by OMAFA and the Animals for Research Act (ARA) is the associated legislation. Several amendments were made to the ARA as part of Bill 75, Section 1, enacted as Chapter 7of the Statutes of Ontario, 2026. The amendments were approved through Royal Assent on June 2, 2026, but most of the provisions will come into legal effect officially on Jan 1, 2027. For those interested, the ARA can be viewed online. The version available has the not-yet-in-force provisions appear as text with a grey background and are accompanied by related editorial notes. This allows the reader to easily see the updates.

Regulations 22, 23 and 24 following links:

• Regulation 22 – General
• Regulation 23 – Pounds
• Regulation 24 – Research Facilities and Supply Facilities
• Regulation 25 – Transportation

If you have any questions about the legislation and regulations, please feel free to reach out toAnimal Care Services through
acc@uoguelph.ca.

ACC SOP Index

To support the harmonization of key animal care procedures and practices across the University, the ACC develops and approves SOPs. An index of all approved ACC SOPs, ACC-SOP-100, has been posted for reference.

Most ACC SOPs are available on the Document Locker. Within ACC-SOP-100, links to documents in the Doc Locker are provided under the “SOP ID” column, and links to the SOP documents themselves are listed under
“SOP Title.”

If a required SOP is not available in the Document Locker, please contact acc@uoguelph.ca and the document will be provided for your reference.

Please refer to the Facility Orientation and Workshop Schedule page on the Animal User Training Program website for all training schedules. For specific guidance on what training you require to work with or care for animals at UofG, contact us at training@uoguelph.ca.

• Fall 2026 Training Schedule

Have ideas for training? We'd love to hear from you at training@uoguelph.ca.

Welcome New Students: Start with the Core Modules

As the new academic year gets underway, we're excited to welcome new students and research personnel to the animal-based research community!

Before a new team member can be added to an AUP, they must successfully completed the
Core Modules of the Animal User Training Program. This foundational training is the first step in meeting the requirements for working with animals at the University of Guelph. Completion of all required training is mandatory before participating in activities under an approved protocol and helps ensure a safe, compliant, and positive research experience for everyone involved.

Questions about training? Please review the training schedule for upcoming course offerings and availability or contact training@uoguelph.ca.

Certified Rodent Surgeon Training Process

The Borkowski Lab: Liam Davidson (PhD student), Kitty Lin (DVSc student), Emma Kepka (undergrad), Izabella Witelus (undergrad), and Jenny Lin (MSc student). Department of Pathobiology (OVC).

Statement submitted by staff and management at the Ponsonby General Animal and Sheep Facilities: One of the highlights of working with Dr. Borkowski and her team has been seeing how smoothly they make complex research look. Dr. Borkowski is incredibly organized, approachable, and easy to work with, and her student team brings the same positive energy and professionalism to every visit. Their research on gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) is tackling an important challenge for the sheep industry by exploring natural immunity and helping producers find more sustainable ways to manage parasites. We always look forward to working with Dr. Borkowski and her team and appreciate the enthusiasm, cooperation, and expertise they bring to the Ponsonby Sheep and General Animal Facility.

To have your work or a fun photo of your animals highlighted, share it with us. Each issue will include one submission as we champion our community and the amazing animals that make our work possible.

Wellness@Work
Healthy Workplace Month
October 2026

OVC Animal Welfare Forum

• Saturday
  September 26, 2026
  9am-2pm
• Room PAHL 1800
  Register Here
  (Spots are limited)
• For questions
  mblok@uoguelph.ca

Skills for Research Impact: Storytelling for Researchers - How to Tell an Engaging Story

• Virtual
  October 27, 2026
  1-2:30pm
  Register Here

• Animal Care Services
• Animal Care Committee
• ACS FAQs
• Interactive Support Sessions
• Archived ACS Newsletters
• RSO Document Locker
• AUP System
• CCAC Website
• Animals for Research Act
• National Centre for 3Rs
• North American 3Rs
• Norecopa 3R's

• Newsletter - acc@uoguelph.ca
• AUP - acc@uoguelph.ca
• Training - training@uoguelph.ca
• Post-Approval Review - accpost@uoguelph.ca
• ACS Veterinarians - acsvets@uoguelph.ca
• Chair of the ACC - chairacc@uoguelph.ca