Animal Care
Trinity Western University (TWU) is committed to the humane and ethical care and use of animals. To ensure that the highest standards in the care and use of animals for research, teaching and testing are upheld, Trinity Western University has established an Animal Care Committee (ACC), herein known as the Institutional ACC (IACC).
This Committee is responsible to the Associate Provost Research, the Senior Administrator responsible for animal care and use for Trinity Western University. The IACC’s Terms of Reference are congruent with the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Policy Statement on Terms of Reference for Animal Care Committees (March 2006). The CCAC requires that institutions conducting animal-based research, teaching or testing establish an IACC.
The Committee approves animal housing facilities and arrangements, procedures and protocols involving the use of animals for research, teaching and testing under the auspices of Trinity Western University.
The CCAC assesses and certifies animal care and use programs of organizations conducting animal-based work in research, teaching, testing or production (of animals or biologics) for scientific purposes.
An institution's animal care and use program is certified every three years based on institutional compliance with CCAC policy statements and guidelines and other CCAC-recognized standards.
The keystone to the CCAC Assessment and Certification Program is the IACC set up by each participating institution according to the CCAC Policy Statement on: Terms of Reference for Animal Care Committees.
Each program of participating institutions is subject to regular peer review by the CCAC, which involves an assessment of the institutional animal care and use program structure, the effectiveness of an IACC to oversee all animal care and use, and the appropriateness of its animal facilities, practices and procedures.
Assessment visits are carried out by CCAC assessment panels.
The Trinity Western University Program was assessed June 2016, re-certification was issued August 2017.
Contact:
Darcy Kehler
Animal Care Committee Coordinator
Lab Manager, Biology