Animal Welfare Assessment

All animals that are used in Science at Queen’s University must undergo a Welfare Assessment on a regular basis. As a guiding principle, all animals that participate in science should be healthy and express a high prevalence and diversity of positively motivated species-typical behaviour, along with low levels of abnormal behaviour. Animal Welfare is assessed through multiple integrated programs and processes, taking into consideration the following aspects:

1. Condition of the animal
2. Psychological well-being of the animal
3. Impact of experimental procedures on the animal
4. Cumulative lifetime experiences (when appropriate) and
5. Environmental parameters

The welfare assessment will draw upon information that is gathered through the research, veterinary and husbandry practices within the facility. To effectively assess the welfare of an animal, the following general categories for each species will be assessed:

1. Behavioural Indicators
2. Observable health Indicators
3. Additional physiological Indicator

The University Animal Care Committee is ultimately responsible for overseeing the implementation of welfare assessments. The assessments, however, are completed by a team of individuals, including but not limited to, research team members, veterinarians, and animal care personnel. All information gathered in relation to welfare assessments is accessible to the team of individuals, including investigators, veterinarians, animal care personnel and the University Animal Care Committee. The information provided through animal welfare assessments will be used by the UACC to identify systemic welfare risks, anticipate welfare implications, and inform future decisions concerning the ethical care and use of animals in science.