Animal Use Protocol

Before animals are acquired or used, all procedures must be subject to ethical review in accordance with federal guidelines (Canadian Council on Animal Care) and provincial legislation (Animals for Research Act- OMAFRA) on animal care and use. No procedures can be undertaken without prior review. Ethical review ensures that all animal use meets federal guidelines, provincial statutes, University of Toronto guidelines, and best practices reflected in standard operating procedures. The TriCouncil  also requires ethical review and adherence to federal guidelines as a condition of funding. Other federal and provincial funding agencies have similar requirements. 

How to Submit Animal Use Protocols

The review process is initiated by submission of an Animal Use Protocol (AUP) on-line through My Research (MR). The local Animal Care Committee (LACC) representing the Faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry reviews AUPs describing work that will be conducted at facilities administered by the Division of Comparative Medicine.

Ethical review ensures that all animal use meets federal guidelines, provincial statutes, University of Toronto guidelines, and best practices reflected in standard operating procedures. The TriCouncil also requires ethical review and adherence to federal guidelines as a condition of funding. Other federal and provincial funding agencies have similar requirements.

The LACC meets the first Wednesday of each month. Protocols must be submitted by before the scheduled submission deadline to allow sufficient time for review.

Protocols must be reviewed annually and remain valid for the duration of the project. It is important that your AUP reflects the study as you plan to conduct it. State what you plan to do in full, and ensure that all procedures performed post-approval are carried out as described.

When you need to add something new to or modify an existing AUP, an amendment must be submitted through MRAP. Amendments are also reviewed at the monthly meetings of the LACC. Please consult DCM veterinary staff or the Research Oversight and Compliance Office if you are unsure whether your proposed changes are permissible as an amendment.

Animal Use Protocol Review

DCM veterinary staff is available to review your Animal Use Protocols (AUPs) prior to submission.  Veterinary staff is actively involved in the review of all AUPs and serve on the local Animal Care Committee. Veterinary review often helps to expedite the overall review process.

If you are developing a new protocol, DCM veterinarians are important resources available to consult on any aspect of laboratory animal medicine or surgery e.g. animal models, experimental design, biomethodology and experimental equipment, anaesthesia and analgesia, experimental surgery and instrumentation, imaging, diagnostics, endpoint selection, pathology.

Veterinary staff is also available for collaboration, an important consideration for PIs with limited in-vivo experience.

Consultations are welcome and can be made in-person by appointment, or via email.

Post Approval Review

Once an Animal Use Protocol (AUP) is approved, it is essential that the work is performed in conformance with what has been subject to review by the Local Animal Care Committee. This ensures that all animal use meets federal guidelines, provincial statutes, University of Toronto guidelines, and best practices reflected in standard operating procedures. Post approval review is a mechanism by which various members of the University community work with investigative staff to ensure conformance and continuity of compliance throughout the lifespan of the AUP.

Post approval review occurs through multiple avenues both formal and informal.

The Research Oversight and Compliance Office (ROCO), within the Vice President Research and Innovation Office, works with investigative staff to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines as well as University policy.  ROCO works with all stakeholders in its role including federal and provincial regulators of animal care. Through its various programs, including post approval review, ROCO works to engender the highest standard of animal welfare University-wide.     

The Local Animal Care Committee may also visit labs to observe and discuss your work so that the committee may develop a better understanding of the project.

In cases where you may be experiencing technical difficulties completing a project, DCM veterinarians and technical staff may be consulted to review and if needed modify procedures described in an AUP to help overcome any challenges. We are partners to your research.