Care and Use of Animals in Science at the University of Saskatchewan (USask)

To ensure that activities involving animals are conducted in a principled and ethical manner, in full compliance with applicable local, federal, and international standards, laws, and regulations.

The University of Saskatchewan acknowledges that the responsible use of animals in science plays an important role in advancing scientific knowledge and education for the benefit of human and animal health. This policy is in place to demonstrate that the University of Saskatchewan recognizes its ethical responsibility in the use of animals in science and is committed to ensuring such use is scientifically justified and conducted with respect for animal welfare. As part of animal use in science, the University of Saskatchewan is committed to the principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement (the 3Rs).

USask is committed to fostering a culture of care in all activities involving animals. This commitment is guided by the principles outlined in the UACC Culture of Care document, which emphasizes respect, responsibility, and ethical stewardship in the use of animals for scientific and educational purposes.

The USask Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP) is committed to transparency in all scientific activities involving animals. This includes openness about animal housing facilities and a continuous focus on improvements that prioritize animal welfare in both decision-making and research and teaching practices.

Through these commitments, the University of Saskatchewan affirms its responsibility to balance scientific advancement with humane and ethical treatment of animals and in adherence to the CCAC Ethics Principles for Animal Use in Science document (2026) fundamental principles of respect for animals, sufficient benefit, and not causing harm.

USask requires that any use of animals in science - including research, teaching, production, and testing - or in any other activities conducted by individuals affiliated with the University, its partners, or within USask facilities, services, or using University funds or accounts, must comply with all applicable local, federal, and international laws and standards. This includes adherence to the most current policies and guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), as well as any other standards endorsed by the CCAC, required by funding agencies, or mandated by law.

The University Animal Care Committee (UACC), reporting to the Vice-President Research, is the body authorized to oversee the administrative aspects of animal use at USask and its affiliates. The UACC’s Terms of Reference define its oversight responsibilities and outline the structure and roles of all associated subcommittees (e.g., animal use protocol review, facility inspection, education and training). The UACC is responsible for establishing and monitoring procedures to ensure ethical conduct in activities involving animals and compliance with all applicable laws, guidelines, and policies. Specific Terms of Reference for Facility Veterinarians outline their responsibilities to oversee the health and welfare of all animals in their assigned facilities.

Personnel involved in animal care and use must be appropriately trained and competent, and animals must be housed and cared for in a manner that supports their physical and behavioral well-being.

University Animal Care Committee (UACC)

The UACC is a university committee reporting to the Vice-President Research. Its Terms of Reference are developed by its members and endorsed by the Vice-President Research. The UACC is composed of faculty, veterinarians, scientists, institutional non-animal users, community members, facility managers, animal technicians, USask trainees (undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows), and program support staff.

The UACC meets regularly to review:

1. Its Terms of Reference and procedure documents, ensuring alignment with CCAC policies and guidelines, evolving University needs, and developments in science, animal welfare, and society.
2. The housing and care conditions for animals, as well as the suitability of research facilities.
3. Standard operating procedures related to animal care and use.

As per CCAC policy, all activities involving animals require scientific or pedagogical merit.

Any activities which are funded without external independent peer review require internal USask scientific merit through the Scientific Merit Review Committee for Animal-Based Research (SMRCABR) which reports to the Vice-President Research.

The Pedagogical Merit Review Committee (PMRC) for Animal-based Teaching and Training, reporting to the Vice-Provost Students and Learning, evaluates all USask courses for credit and training programs that use animals for pedagogical merit ensuring animal use meets relevant learning outcomes and non-animal models are considered.

This policy applies to all members of USask involved in research, teaching, testing, or production of live animal vertebrates and cephalopods. Members of USask include but are not limited to, faculty, professors emeriti, sessional lecturers, staff, trainees, clinical faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, adjunct professors, visiting professors, visiting scholars, professional affiliates, associate members, residents, and postdoctoral fellows (PDFs) at USask. 

In addition, this policy applies to those individuals and/or institutions that have entered into affiliation agreements with USask for purposes of Animal Care Committee oversight.

Acting on behalf of the USask President, the UACC has the authority to:

1. Halt any procedure if it determines that an animal is experiencing unnecessary pain or distress.
2. Immediately stop any use of animals that deviate from approved protocols, involve unapproved procedures, or cause unexpected pain or distress.
3. Order the euthanasia of an animal if its pain or distress cannot be relieved.

The Vice-President Research serves as the Institutional Official ensuring the University of Saskatchewan’s Animal Care and Use Program complies with CCAC standards and all applicable legal and policy requirements. 

The UACC is responsible for ensuring that all activities involving live animals are carried out only after approval of an animal use protocol by the USask Animal Research Ethics Board (AREB).

Researchers, instructors, and other animal users are responsible for conducting all animal-based activities in accordance with USask policies and procedures, as well as relevant provincial, national, and international laws and guidelines. Procurement or use of CCAC-defined animals must not occur before AREB approval is granted.

Major proposals and plans (e.g.; new species used, facility alterations), construction, or renovation that involve animal facilities or animal use at USask must have direct input and approval from the University Veterinarian to ensure compliance with applicable animal-based laws, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Failure to conduct animal use activities as approved by the USask AREB, or to comply with USask policies, procedures, and applicable federal, provincial, international, or local laws, is considered non-compliance. Such cases are addressed through the UACC and USask Responsible Conduct of Research non-compliance processes.

The source of institutional approved definitions is in the Academic and Curricular Nomenclature.

For the purposes of this policy:

• Animals used in science: defined by animals used in research, teaching, testing, or production
• Research is defined as: any investigation involving animals that is undertaken to acquire or contribute to knowledge. This includes both basic and applied research, and encompasses activities in fields such as biomedical sciences, agriculture, psychology, and veterinary medicine;
• Teaching is defined as: any use of animals for educational or training purposes, where the primary goal is to impart knowledge or develop skills;
• Testing is defined as: the use of animals in procedures designed to assess the safety, efficacy, or quality of substances, products, or devices, often required by government or industry standards for product approval (e.g. pharmaceuticals, chemicals);
• Production is defined as: the breeding and maintenance of animals for the purpose of supplying animals to be used in science and/or producing food, fiber, or other agricultural products;
• Animals are defined as: vertebrates and cephalopods.

*Definitions are based on CCAC guideline documents.

• Academic and Curricular Nomenclature 
• UACC Terms of Reference
• SMRCABR Terms of Reference
• PMRC Terms of Reference

• University of Saskatchewan Act, 1995
• Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)
• Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Three Rs
• Saskatchewan Animal Protection Act, 2018
• Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research, 2021
• Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions