ACS - Archived Newsletters - Issue 2

December 2024

Index

Animal Adoption at UofG – Rats
Animal Use Numbers for 2024
Updates to SOP.806.Use of Extra-Vivarial Holding and Procedural Spaces for Live Animals
AUP Annual Renewal Reminder
Mentor-Facilitated Training
Do you have volunteers?

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.

Missed an issue? All archived issues of the newsletter are available on the Animal Care Services institutional page.

Adoption at UofG

Animals used in research at UofG are generally not adopted; however, there are some opportunities depending on the nature of the work and a review by the consulting veterinarians. Adoption must be listed on the AUP and approved by the ACC. Re-homing animals supports the 3Rs and allows suitable animals to live fulfilling lives after research or teaching use is concluded. This practice reflects a commitment to ethical responsibility and promotes a humane, sustainable research environment. Please forward questions about adoption to acsvets@uoguelph.ca.

Currently up for adoption

8 retired training rats looking for homes

All female, 1 year old
Well socialized, used to people and being handled
Must be adopted in pairs (or more)
Contact Michaela at mranda02@uoguelph.ca

ACS Highlights

How Many Animals Did You Use in 2024?

In January 2025, all PIs with active AUPs will see the regular email from Animal Care Services requesting submission of the animal use numbers reportable for 2024 (Jan 1 - Dec 31).

Questions may be forwarded to Sascha Tuuha at stuuha@uoguelph.ca or to acc@uoguelph.ca.

New Compliance and Facility Coordinator

We welcome Chantelle Kuhn as Compliance and Facility Coordinator in ACS. Chantelle completed a BSc at Laurentian before completing her veterinary technician training at Ridgetown. She has broad experience as an RVT having worked at a Pet and Wildlife Rescue, in the OVC ICU, and at the CAF and Isolation facilities here on campus. In her new role Chantelle will lead ACC Site Visits, OMAFA inspections, and CCAC assessment visits. She looks forward to establishing close working relationships with Facility Managers and Lead Hands as a liaison between ACC and the facilities.

Welcome Chantelle to ACS!

General News

ACC

New Members Needed! The ACC is looking for community representatives and institutional personnel not involved in animal-based activities to join the committee. Click above to find out more!
Updates to SOP.806.Use of Extra-Vivarial Holding and Procedural Spaces for Live Animals were approved on Nov 8, 2024.
AUP Annual Renewal Reminder

AUPs must be renewed annually even when there has been no animal use, no animals ordered or research commenced.

The renewal date falls 365 days after the AUP approval date, and yearly thereafter for a maximum of 3 renewals.

Autogenerated reminders are sent to PIs -60days and -30days prior to the renewal date and on Day 0. If no response is received from the PI by the due date, the AUP is considered non-compliant, prompting follow-up from the ACS office.

Questions about AUP Annual Renewals may be forwarded to acc@uoguelph.ca.

Training

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.

Winter 2025 Training Schedule
(Coming soon)

Mentor-Facilitated Training

For procedure-specific training not covered through regularly scheduled workshops, individuals may be required to complete one-on-one mentor-facilitated training.

Please email training@uoguelph.ca for direction on mentor-facilitate training.

Qualified instructors assigned to give this training may be principal investigators, veterinarians, senior researchers, or experienced facility technicians. Other personnel with expertise in the species and the methodology to be trained may provide MFT however they should be confirmed by ACS before training occurs.

The completed training must be documented by submission of a Certification of Mentor- Facilitated Training Form.

Animal Utilization Protocols

AUP Help Drop-in Sessions held every Wednesday from 1:00-2:30pm in-person in the ACS boardroom or virtually on Teams.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

Do you have Volunteers?

Any person working with live animals in research, teaching and public events must be approved by the ACC to do so.

This also applies to ‘Volunteers’, defined as a person hired temporarily as a helper in an animal-based project, who is not financially compensated, and does not directly benefit from the outcome of the project. The PI is responsible for all volunteers listed on the AUP and for all of their training and animal activities.

The name of the volunteer must be listed under the assigned tasks, and ACC-mandatory training is assessed by the Animal User Training Program and always includes the online CORE Modules. Ensuring that any personnel is appropriately trained in the care and use of animals is required by provincial law and the Canadian Council on Animal Care, and is reflected in the University of Guelph Animal Care and Use Policy.

Volunteers may pose unintended risk to research, animals, or themselves when not adequately trained. More details are available on our FAQ page (Animal Handling).

Please feel free to reach out to acc@uoguelph.ca with any questions.

Community Spotlight

Zebrafish colony inside a transparent tank of water

Here you can see the dedication of Dr. Van Raay's lab to ensuring that the zebrafish colony at the Hagen Aqualab is provided with new environmental enrichment. This enrichment will help maximize animal welfare by ensuring that these animals have opportunities to perform natural behaviours such as exploration and foraging. Enrichment has been seen to reduce stress within zebrafish tanks, leading to more robust and reproducible experimental data, and improve reproductive health.

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.

Upcoming Events

University Holiday Closures

Closed Monday December 23rd, and will reopen Thursday January 2nd
ACS veterinarians continue to be available at acsvets@uoguelph.ca for all animal health related concerns

Wellness@Work January 2025 Calendar

NC3Rs Experimental Design Assistant Virtual Workshop