Animal Ethics

All animal-based research, teaching and testing conducted by Athabasca University researchers is subject to the Animal Ethics Policy and Procedures.

Animal users must further act in accordance with the standards set by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), federal, provincial or municipal statues that may apply, as well as related policies and procedures.

Under an agreement with the University of Alberta (U of A), the U of A provides all animal-related services for Athabasca University researchers. This includes:

• oversight of AU’s animal care and use program
• use of U of A facilities
• animal care and husbandry

What does this mean?

If you’re doing research, teaching or testing that involves animals, you must get ethics approval from the U of A’s Biosciences Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) before your project starts. You do not apply for this approval through AU.

No animals shall be acquired, held or used for research, testing or teaching at any AU facility.

How to apply

Animal Ethics applications are submitted through the U of A’s Research and Ethics Management Online (REMO) system, and researchers must follow its timelines, processes and requirements.

• Learn about the U of A’s ACUC review process
• See submission deadlines on the ACUC Biosciences page

Animal users are responsible for following:

• the standards set by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)
• federal, provincial or municipal statutes that may apply
• all related policies and procedures