The Animal Care Committee (ACC) oversees all matters pertaining to research, funded or not, involving animals (including fish and invertebrates). All ACC policies and procedures are designed to comply with those of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC).

If you or someone in your department are planning to maintain and use live animals, whether in a laboratory or field-based setting, for the purposes of teaching or research, here is what it’s important to know:

Training: All personnel involved in the use of animals in research or teaching must have completed the Online Modules and have attended the Animal Care Training Course. Those new to the process may find it helpful to download the Handbook on Animal Care.

Applications: Animal Utilization Project Proposal (AUPP) and submit it to the ACC Coordinator (acc@uwindsor.ca). Guidelines for completion of an AUPP can be found online on the ACC's Forms webpage.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Developed in consultation with experts in the particular fields, SOPs provide a detailed outline of commonly used research and husbandry procedures. Please review the Animal Care Committee Standard Operating Procedures webpage to ensure your research is compliant.

I have submitted my AUPP to the ACC Coordinator. What’s next?

Review Process: Once submitted, AUPPs are reviewed and approved at the Animal Care Committee meetings, held four times a year.

Duration of Approval and Yearly Renewals: Approved applications are valid for one year from the approval date. Three Annual Renewals are permitted before a new AUPP needs to be submitted, even if the project is not completed.

Protocol Modifications: Minor changes to an approved protocol can be made using the Request to Revise form.