University Animal Care Committee (UACC)
Occasionally, healthy animals are no longer needed for research or teaching programs at Queen’s University. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance around the potential adoption of research animals.
As a humane and ethical user of animals, the Queen’s UACC encourages the adoption of healthy research and teaching animals, with the following stipulations:
- The animal must no longer be needed by the university as a research or teaching animal.
- The animal must be healthy as determined by the University Veterinarian and not genetically modified by modern biotechnological means.
- The animal must never have been exposed to an infectious disease that is potentially zoonotic or have been exposed to recombinant organisms.
- Adoption must be listed as a potential method of disposition in the approved animal use protocol (AUP) that covers the animal.
- Animals must have a suitable temperament and health to be a pet, as determined by the University Veterinarian.
- Animals must be spayed or neutered before adoption. If spaying or neutering is not practicable in the species, the person adopting must agree in writing not to breed the animal after adoption.
- Animals that are usually vaccinated as standard veterinary practice (e.g., companion dogs etc.) will be current on vaccinations at the time of adoption.
- Some research vendors and donors will not permit animals that originated with them to be adopted; Queen’s University will respect the terms of agreements under which it acquired animals.
- Adoption eligibility will be confirmed in advance by the University Veterinarian, and, if applicable, by the Principal Investigator whose protocol the animal is sat against.
- The university will develop processes and procedures to be followed prior to the final approval of a placement for adoption (e.g.: adoption agreement/release waiver).
- Animals approved for adoption must be picked up in person by the prospective adopter. The university reserves the right to refuse adoption to individuals or organizations it knows to be convicted of crimes against animals in any jurisdiction, individuals convicted of crimes against an animal enterprise under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act Title 18 U.S.C. § 43, individuals or organizations in violation of local or state ordinances relating to animal ownership, or to those who failed to adhere to the terms and conditions of previous adoption agreements or understandings they may have had with the university.
- Prospective adopters must complete and sign the Queen’s University Adoption Release (see Appendix 1).
I hereby acknowledge and agree that there are inherent risks in adopting any animal. I have full knowledge of the nature and extent of all risks associated with this species including but not limited to:
- Animals are unpredictable and they may bite or otherwise injure me, my relatives, my guests or others, causing injury without warning
- Animal behaviour is unpredictable and besides injury to people they may cause injury to other animals as well as property
- Animals are different from humans in their response to human actions
I further acknowledge that the above list is not inclusive of all possible risks associated with animals and the above list in no way limits the extent or reach of this release. I also understand that Queen’s University has not made any warranty (either expressed or implied) as to the behaviour, fitness or health of the animal(s) I am adopting. In consideration of the adoption of this/these animal(s) I the undersigned, agree to release and on behalf of myself, my family members, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators and assigns, do release Queen’s University and Animal Care Services (herein referred to as releases), their employees, officers, trustees and agents from any cause of action, claim, suit, or demand of any nature whatsoever, including but not limited to claims of negligence, which I, my family members, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators and assigns may not have, or may have in the future against the releases on account of personal injury, property damage, death, or accident of any kind, arising out of, or in an way related to this/these animal(s).
I hereby accept possession and title of the animal(s) identified as:
| DOB | SEX | ID |
|---|---|---|
I hereby agree that from hereon as the owner of said animals I alone am responsible for any property damage or bodily injury caused by the animal(s) I am adopting. In accepting this/these animal(s) from Queen’s University, I accept full legal, financial and medical responsibility.
| New Owners Name: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | Phone/Cell: | ||
| Email: | |||
| Signature of Owner: | Date: | ||
| Witness: | Date: | ||
Approvals to be signed before release of animals for adoption:
University Veterinarian Signature: _________________________________________ Date:___________________
| Date | New Version |
|---|---|
| 09/27/2022 | Policy Created and Approved |