The Department of Biology For Administrative Use Only
Animal Care Committee Protocol Number: Date Received:
PO Box 111
Acadia University
Wolfville, NS
B4P 2R6 Revision date:_________________
Reject Accept
Acadia University ACADIA ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE
Animal Use Protocol: Vertebrates and Cephalopods
APPLICATION TO USE ANIMALS FOR RESEARCH AND TEACHING:
The use of animals for research or teaching is a privilege. Before a protocol to use animals in a research project is approved,
the “Principle Investigator (PI)” must show that the use of animals is justified, that the project has scientific merit, and that the
procedures to which the animals will be submitted will be carried out humanely. The scientific merit requirement will be met
if the funding agency conducts peer review. The scientific merit requirement for internal funding or industry sponsored
research will be conducted by the animal care committee for invasive categories A & B, and by peer review for invasive
categories C, D & E. Follow the guidelines in completing this form. You may wish to review page 8 of this document prior to
completing.
This form is not to be used for Invertebrates (except for cephalopods). Please use the separate invertebrate protocol
form.
I. a) General Information
Title of Project/Lab:___________________
Proposed start date: Proposed completion date: ongoing
To select the project simply highlight the box and mark with an X
Project: Teaching Research Wildlife* Other __________
* If a wildlife protocol, please note, you must complete this form including section IX. For the purpose of this protocol,
wildlife refers to free ranging vertebrates, including, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Animals obtained from a
biological supply company are not considered as wildlife.
FOR TEACHING ONLY:
For the upcoming year comment briefly on:
i) the expected number of participants:
ii) the student/instructor ratio: -
iii) the number of participants per animal or group of animals:
CCAC Category of Invasiveness (Refer to Guidelines found on page 8): A B C D E
If category C is selected you are required to fill out section VIII A
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If categories D or E are selected you are required to fill out sections VIII A & B
Principal Investigator
Surname:
Given Name(s):
Academic Rank:
Faculty / Department:
Telephone Number (Office): Telephone Number (Lab): Fax Number: 1059 E-Mail Address:
Species (common name) _________________________________________
If various species are to be used, please indicate __________________________
Use additional pages if necessary.
# for this year _____ total # for project ___
Note: If numbers of your specie(s) or non-target specie(s) exceed expectations during your project, please notify the Animal
Care Technician or the Chair of the Animal Care Committee. A protocol amendment may be required.
Source of species:
____ wildlife
____ purchased (complete table below)
SPECIES SOURCE/SUPPLIER ADDRESS/LOCATION PHONE MODE OF
If you need more space, please NUMBER TRANSPORTATION
insert new rows.
I. b) Name of associates directly involved in the care and use of animals in this project.
Co-Investigators Rank Department Phone Number
Staff and Students Rank Department Phone Number
____________________________________________________________________________________
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II. Funding Information
Name of Funding Agency:
Funds Administered by External Internal ( pending peer review peer review complete – please attach
paperwork)
NSERC NRC MRCC Other agencies
Status: Awarded Pending
Start Date (YY-MM-DD): Finish Date (YY-MM-DD):
III. Related Hazards
Are potentially hazardous agents/substances going to be used in this project? ( Yes/No) (if No, proceed to the next section)
What potentially hazardous agents are being used (e.g. carcinogens, isotopes, infectious, chemical, other)?
Has application to the appropriate safety committee for this protocol already been made? Y______ N _____
Specify location of room(s) where animals involved in potentially hazardous experiments will be held:
IV. Purpose of Animal Use
A protocol may contain more than one purpose. Pick the one(s) that describes your project best. These descriptions are
provided by the CCAC to help them categorize animal use in Canada.
1. Studies of a fundamental nature in sciences relating to essential structure of function (e.g., biology, psychology,
biochemistry, pharmacology, physiology, etc.).
2. Studies for medical purposes, including veterinary medicine, that relate to human or animal disease or disorders.
3. Studies for regulatory testing of products for the protection of humans, animals, or the environment.
4. Studies for the development of products or appliances for human or veterinary medicine.
5. Education and training of individuals in post -secondary institutions or facilities.
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6. Other (specify).
V. Objectives of the Research
In 400 words or less describe how you would explain to a non-scientist, the aim, specific objective(s), and potential value of
your project with respect to human or animal health, the advancement of knowledge or the good of society. Briefly describe
the relationship of the animal studies to the overall project. Please do not submit the abstract from your grant application.
The summary should provide the requested information in lay terms, so that someone who is unfamiliar with your work will
be able to appreciate what you do. Attach additional pages if necessary. If you are submitting a teaching protocol please
remember to include evidence of pedagogical merit from professional journals specifically aimed at Biology pedagogy (such
as the American Biology Teacher), pedagogical sections of professional research journals, textbooks, conference proceedings
or abstracts.
VI. Justification for Species Used
In 500 words or less please explain why the indicated species is going to be used. Keep in mind the three R concept:
“Replacement, Reduction, Refinement.” Please consider using less sentient animal species and/or tissue culture whenever
possible. Attach additional pages if necessary.
Type of Animal Use:
___ Acute/non-survival (animals anesthetised without recovery or killed to obtain tissues/cells)
_____ Chronic (for all other types of use with or without euthanasia at the end of the procedure)
VII. a) Manipulations Applied to the Animals .
Describe Procedures Involving Animals
Use simple language, and do not excerpt pages from grant applications. Details should be given as to what will happen to the
animal from start to finish, including how animals will be monitored. Identify who will perform each procedure, and how
they are qualified to do so. If experimental drugs or cell lines will be used, describe the known effects. All survival surgery
must be done using aseptic techniques as appropriate to SOP for species. Attach additional pages if necessary.
____________________________________________________________________________________
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Do the manipulations involve: (yes or no)
Deprivation _______ Negative reinforcement/punishment _______________
Chronic restraint ____ Pathogen introduction ________________
If YES to any of the above, provide details:
VII. b) Surgery and Related Anaesthesia/Analgesia
Who will be doing the surgical manipulations?
Where will the surgery be done?
Expected duration of anesthetic period required?
Measures used to alleviate pain and discomfort:
Agent* & Dose
Premedication
During Procedure
Post-procedure (Analgesia)
Longer Term
*Investigators must make their own applications to obtain a permit to use controlled drugs in their research.
If for scientific reasons certain analgesics cannot be used, please justify.
____________________________________________________________________________________
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VII c) Fate of Animals
What will be the ultimate fate of the animals?
What is the expected mortality?
What is the likelihood of an animal being euthanised? unlikely low moderate high certain
If necessary, how will euthanasia be performed. Including, if necessary, drug dosage and administration route. Name the
person(s) who will perform the euthanasia as well as their qualifications.
Investigators must make their own applications to obtain a permit to use controlled drugs in their research.
If for scientific reasons certain analgesics cannot be used, please justify.
.
Disposal Method Incineration other please specify ____________________
Tissue Bank:
Researchers with approved protocols are encouraged to archive tissue from accidental mortalities when
working with native species. Tissue (1-2 cm2 – heart or spleen preferred) can be placed in 100% EtOH in
the field (if a freezer is not available) and held until moved in to the -80° C freezer at Acadia University.
Only tissue that has completed accession form accompanying it will be accepted. For more information
contact the ACT.
Voucher Specimens:
As active collecting is not the mandate of the Acadia University Wildlife Museum nor is there funding
available to prepare a large number of specimens this is not a SOP for active collection. Specimens must be
accidental mortalities of approved protocols or sacrificed animals of special merit also from approved
protocols (i.e. if the protocol called for non-native species that would enhance the scientific or teaching
value of the museum collection). For more information, please contact the Museum Curator.
____________________________________________________________________________________
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VIII a) Evaluation of Distress / Discomfort / Pain in Vertebrates and Cephalopods. For categories of Invasiveness C,
D & E.
Expected pain level: Nil ______ Low _____ Moderate _____ ____
Discomfort expected: During procedure (Y/N)_____ Post procedure (Y/N)_____
Expected duration of pain/discomfort:
What indicators/cues will be used to tell if the animal is in pain?
Describe the measures that will be used to alleviate pain and discomfort:
VIII b) Defining an Appropriate Endpoint in Invasive Studies
In invasive experiments with the potential for causing pain, distress, or discomfort, an endpoint for the animals must be
defined. Please complete this section by responding to the questions below:
What is the expected time course for the animals, from initial treatment to first signs of pain/distress, and to the death of the
animal, based on previous information with the specific model under study?
When are the effects to the animal expected to be the most severe?
Has a checklist of observations, of which the endpoint will be based, been established?
How often will the animal’s condition be monitored: a) during the course of the study; and b) during critical times for the
animals?
Who will monitor the animals (identify all responsible) and keep records?
Do these people have the training and expertise to monitor the animals adequately?
What is the chain of commend for reporting the results of the monitoring when the animals are reaching the endpoint
(including authority to euthanise)?
What provisions will be made to deal with any animals that show unexpectedly severe signs and symptoms?
____________________________________________________________________________________
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IX . a) Wildlife Studies - Defining an Appropriate Endpoint
i) If mortality exceeds the expected rate, (see section VII C) what steps will be taken?
ii) What steps will be taken to minimize the capture of non-target species? What level of capture for non-target species
would be deemed acceptable?
iii) If immobilization is used in the capture of target species, who will be administering the agent and what are their
qualifications? How often will individuals be monitored until their release?
iv) If applicable, what will be done to minimize the studies effect on nesting or rearing behaviour?
IX. b) Please include a copy of all necessary scientific permits for wildlife.
Your signature below indicates that:
All animals used in this research project/course will be cared for and used in accordance with the Guidelines of
the Canadian Council on Animal Care, and the regulations set out by the Acadia Animal Care Committee. You
have searched the literature and the proposed animal use does not unnecessarily duplicate other animal use;
You have considered alternative procedures that do not involve the use of living animals and that an alternative
to the proposed animal use is not feasible;
I agree, all people using animals under my direction have been trained to use appropriate methods and have read
and agreed to comply with this protocol;
You will notify the Acadia Animal Care Committee of any revisions to this protocol.
Principal Investigator or Course Director ____________________________ Date ____________
____________________________________________________________________________________
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Categories of Invasiveness
A – Experiments on most invertebrates or on live isolates.
B – Experiments which cause little or no discomfort or stress.
C – Experiments which cause minor stress or pain of short duration
D – Experiments which cause moderate to severe distress or discomfort
E – Procedures which cause severe pain near, at, or above the pain tolerance of
anaesthetized conscious animals
KEY WORD LIST
The CCAC highly recommends the use of the following key words.
Please select from among these key words those that best describe general procedures, agents
used and types of surgery performed (use as many key words as appropriate). If these key words
do not adequately describe your work, please supply additional words.
General
research, teaching, testing;
regulation (are the experiments performed directly in relation to testing regulations in
force in Canada and/or the USD (FDA, EPA, etc.) and/or elsewhere, type of testing (e.g.,
cosmetic testing); field work, behaviour observation, environmental protection study, fauna
conservation
development of techniques, study of the effectiveness of a product (drugs, others) or a
method (spectroscopy, others);
breeding, breeding colony, sentinel program
antibody production (monoclonal, polyclonal);
pilot study;
palatability test, digestibility test, reinforcement/motivation, stages behavioural
encounters; primary cell culture, tissue/organ collection, graft, transplant;
species, transgenic animal;
validation of non-animal model (in vitro test, computational methods…).
____________________________________________________________________________________
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Procedures
trapping/netting, marking/tagging, injection(intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular,
intraperitoneal), blood sampling/testing (small volume), blood removal (large volume), gavaging,
physical restraint, infection induction, whole-body radiation, physical euthanasia, food
deprivation, water deprivation, special diet, altered environmental exposure, physical restraint
(duration).
Agents
radioisotope administration, chemical exposure, infectious agents, immunogenic or inflammatory
agents, Freund’s complete adjuvant, Freund’s incomplete adjuvant.
Surgery
major surgery, minor surgery, stereotaxic surgery, survival surgery, multiple surgeries,
cannulation.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Form Revised: July 28, 2009
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