The University of Waterloo (the University) is a research-intensive institution which supports the ethical and responsible use of animals in research for the purpose of obtaining knowledge that has the potential to benefit the health and endeavors of humans and the health and conservation of animals. The use of animals for scientific and technical education and training is also supported in situations where no alternatives exist. The University operates in compliance with the Canadian Council on Animal Care and the Animals for Research Act of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, which regulate the use of laboratory animals in research, teaching, training and testing. Further, the University is proactively committed to the reduction and replacement of animal use and the refinement of procedures wherever possible in teaching, training, testing and research.
All research, teaching, training and testing activities at the University that will involve the use of live non-human vertebrate animals must be reviewed and receive ethics approval by the institutional Animal Care Committee (Committee) before the work can begin. The scientific merit of all research protocols must be peer reviewed. Also, all teaching protocols must undergo review for pedagogical merit. The Committee is multidisciplinary and is comprised of animal researchers, non-animal researchers, community members not associated with the university, animal health technicians and/or laboratory instructors, graduate students and a laboratory animal veterinarian. The Committee meets eleven times per year to review protocols. Each protocol undergoes rigorous review and scrutiny as described by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC). This includes ensuring that the procedures comply with the guidelines of the CCAC and the University as well as regulations under the Animals for Research Act; that the species to be used are appropriate for the study; that only the minimum number of animals necessary for the study will be used; and that species-appropriate procedures, anaesthesia and analgesia are used to alleviate pain or discomfort both during and after the study. Only projects that have merit and receive prior ethics approval may proceed and according to an approved protocol. While ethics approval of protocols has a four-year duration, each one is reviewed annually and approval continued, if appropriate. Any changes (amendments) to approved protocols must receive prior ethical approval. Animal housing and holding facilities are monitored through regular inspections to ensure compliance with guidelines.
From time to time, animal cadavers or tissue may be required for teaching or research purposes. In these instances, instructors and researchers should first ensure that no appropriate alternative to the use of an animal cadaver exists (e.g., computer simulation). In situations where no alternative exists and the cadaver or tissue is required for research or classroom teaching purposes, it should be handled professionally, respectfully and ethically. Failure to handle animal cadavers or tissues appropriately will be treated as a serious breach of the ethical use of animals and may result in significant disciplinary sanctions being applied.
The Office of Research Ethics (ORE), through its Director, provides centralized administration for the Committee and for the animal research ethics operation. In addition, it is responsible for developing guidelines and procedures for the ethics review process and revises these regularly, taking into account changing societal values, evolution in the area of animal research ethics and evolving provincial, federal and professional ethics requirements. Within the ORE, educational programs, workshops and materials are developed and delivered to Waterloo undergraduate and graduate students, course instructors, animal health technicians, research staff, post-doctoral fellows and faculty involved in research, teaching, training or testing with animals.
The ORE and the Committee are committed to assisting faculty and students in identifying, considering and addressing the issues of animal well-being inherent in their research, teaching, training or testing activities, recognizing that all members of the University community share a common commitment to maintaining high standards in the use of animals. The University, through the ORE and the Committee, endorses the importance of the scientific and pedagogical merit, ethics review and approval processes as a mechanism to facilitate and ensure the conduct of ethical and responsible use of animals. The University also recognizes the important role animals have played in the past, and the valuable contribution they will continue to make to the advancement of biomedical and other types of research, teaching, training and testing. Additionally, the University is committed to fostering openness and transparency in animal-based activities, including by endorsing the Transparency Agreement on Animal-Based Science in Canada. This agreement aims to enhance public awareness and understanding of the role of animals in scientific research. Thus, the University is committed to ensuring the highest possible standards in the care, well-being, quality of life and use of its animals.
Vice-President, Research and International; Approved February 2019 Animal Care Committee; Reviewed July 2025; Reviewed 2026