1. Animal Ethics and Care In Science
  2. University Animal Care Committee
  3. UACC Communication Bulletin - Fall 2023

UACC Communication Bulletin - Fall 2023

This bulletin highlights the following information & updates since our last bulletin (Fall 2022):

Topaz Elements - Topaz VPN has Moved from Cisco AnyConnect to FortiClient (ACTION REQUIRED)

Queen’s ITS is discontinuing support to Cisco AnyConnect VPN on November 17, 2023. Going forward, only FortiClient will be used for VPN access. Use the instructions on the Animals in Science website to configure FortiClient for Topaz access.

For additional information, see Topaz, Animals in Science. 

Please share this message with all protocol associates in your lab. If you have questions or require assistance contact the UACC Coordinator.

Predicting and Tracking Mortality

An event that leads to the unanticipated death of research, teaching or testing animals, or poses an immediate and significant threat to animal health or welfare may need to be reported to the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) as a Reportable Animal Welfare Incident (RAWI).
 
The animal use protocol (AUP) must indicate expected mortality associated to models (whether procedural, model or phenotypically driven) and report observed morbidity/mortality to the University Veterinarian at the time it occurs (rather than waiting for the renewal). This helps to promptly flag morbidity/mortality (animals euthanized at humane intervention points and animals found dead) that has reached a greater degree than anticipated. Morbidity/mortality >20% of the predicted baseline of the total number of animals per specific project component and on-site at the time of the incident are classified as RAWIs. RAWIs must be reported by the institution to the CCAC within 14 days of occurrence to avoid serious non-compliance consequences.

View the  CACC Frequently Asked Questions (960 KB)

Please ensure that all AUPs include predictions of anticipated mortality and consider building appropriate buffers into the requested authorized numbers (justification of animal numbers) to allow for contingency (generally based on published literature and experience with the model).

Taking/Sharing Images of Animals in Science

The UACC has approved a new  policy (127 KB) mandating the creation and distribution of images (photography; video; audio etc.) of animals in science. Please review accordingly and ensure that all members of your lab (and approved visitors) are aware of the importance surrounding confidentiality and respectful management of images as it relates to both research integrity and security.

Including Lab Based Training Animals on AUPs

The UACC would like to remind PIs that animal use protocols (AUPs) must include a description of and numbers required for in-lab competency training involving live animals.
 
Competency refers to the ability to effectively perform a particular task in relation to the care, maintenance, or use of the animals while ensuring their welfare is protected as far as possible within the constraints of any approved studies that the animals are involved in. While it is mandatory that all animal users complete species-specific practical training, it is important and expected that in-lab training and confirmation of competency will also be undertaken when needed (e.g.: for specialized procedures not fully captured in practical training).
 
To ensure that animals used for training and procedural practice are handled with the utmost care and with appropriate risk mitigation in place, and to ensure that the numbers required for such use are fully justified, this must be appropriately described within the approved animal use protocol. The UACC recommends building this into the existing experimental groups (both the experience of the animal especially if it would differ from that which the standard research subjects would experience and the proposed numbers it is suspected to take to achieve competency).

External Usage Locations

As per the UACC Policy the Use of Animals Outside of the Animal Facilities, please be reminded that all animal procedures will be conducted within the animal facilities unless an exception is in place via a UACC approved animal use protocol. All external locations are subject to annual laboratory assessments by the UACC.

UACC Policies (Revised & New)

The following revised policies are now available on the University Animal Care Committee (UACC) & Institutional Policies page of the Animals in Science website. 

The following policy aims to ensure that ethical standards are maintained and the risk of unwanted distribution and publication of images of people, animals and confidential information is avoided. It applies to the photography, filming and recording by any method or device of all animal use in science (as outlined on an approved animal use protocol (AUP).

View UACC Policy on Taking and Sharing Images of Animals in Science

Standard triennial review and formatting changes. This policy underwent minor revisions to reference the policy on visitors and the policy on images of animals in science for associates from other institution performing work at Queen’s.

View UACC Policy on Animal Based Projects Involving Two or More Institutions)

Standard triennial review and formatting changes only.

View Policy on Genotyping in Mice and Rats

Standard triennial review and formatting changes. This policy underwent minor revisions to clarify that overdose of inhalant anesthetics in rodents must use a calibrated vaporizer to be acceptable and to replace the term Euthanasia with Humane Killing throughout.

View Policy on Humane Killing of Animals Used in Science

Standard triennial review and formatting changes only.

View Policy on the Oversight of Animals in Science

Standard triennial review and formatting changes. This policy underwent minor revisions to remove procedural text now found in UACC Admin SOP 1.9.

View Policy on Pedagogical Merit of Live Animal-Based Teaching and Training

The following policy aims to provide an institutional definition for a pilot study as well as provide guidance around peer-review for scientific merit and mandatory pilot progress reports.

View Policy on Pilot Studies

Standard triennial review and formatting changes. This policy underwent minor revisions to clarify the option to demonstrate a non-funded but highly ranked grant application as scientific merit and to remove procedural text now found in UACC Admin SOP 2.2.

View Policy on Peer Review for Scientific Merit

Standard triennial review and formatting changes only.

View Policy on Visitors within Animal Facilities

Standard triennial review and formatting changes. The terms of reference underwent revision to clarify membership terms of no less than two and no more than four years with potential re-appointment for no more than 8 consecutive years, to expand the definition on authority of the veterinarian and to references the UACC Administrative SOPs.

View Terms of Reference for the Queen's University Animal Care Committee (UACC)

Standard Operating Procedures

A number of SOPs have undergone their triennial review. Please reference the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) page for current versions of rodent SOP's.

Other SOP’s are hosted on wiki.  For access, please contact the Quality Assurance and Training Coordinator. 

Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Updates