Animal Care Process

Submit a project proposal to an agency.

Researchers must finalize their funding for their project. The project gets evaluated and only the most meritorious will be supported and the use of animals will only be considered if it is established that there is no other ways of achieving the research objectives.

Researchers must also review and familiarize themselves with the animal use protocol and any relevant SOPs, as well as attend the Animal Compliance Office session, which will guide researchers and students through the necessary protocols and steps involved in working with animals at McGill. 

Register for the Animal Compliance Office session. 

Further Reading:

• Applications and Proposals
• Submitting an Application
• Getting Signatures
• Policies and Guidelines

Gain access to the AMS Software.

Before submitting a proposal to McGill to conduct animal research, the researcher needs to request and gain access to the Animal Management System (AMS). To do so, 

Fill out the form to request access to the AMS. 

Further Reading:

• Using PREPARE guidelines for animal experimental design

Submit an animal use proposal.

If the scientific project proposal was found to be meritorious, the researcher submits a proposal to do animal research before starting a new project or renewing an existing one.

Further Reading:

• Animal Care Policies and Guidelines
• Access the AMS Software
• AMS Training Tools
• Support from AMS Local Administrators

McGill's Animal Care Committee reviews all aspects of the proposal.

The committee reviews all aspects of the proposal with emphasis on ensuring animals will receive the best care possible while achieving the research objectives. The committee may reject, approve, or give conditional approval to the outlined procedures before allowing the research to proceed.

Further Reading:

• Animal Care Committees
• Peer Review
• Terms of Reference

Register for and complete mandatory animal care training.

All research personal must complete mandatory training on animal handling and procedures as well as health precautions to ensure proper animal handling. 

Further Reading:

• Animal Care Training Program
• Ethics Theory Course
• Wildlife in the Lab
• Wildlife in the Field

McGill approves the project for one year. 

When the Animal Care Committee approves the submitted proposal, the protocol will be valid for one year. 

Take advantage of assistance and resources offered. 

Researchers are encouraged to take advantage of available assistance from the Animal Care Office team. Some of the assistance offered include:

• Answers to general questions
• Access to Animal Facilities
• Quality Assistance
• Workshop registrations
• Animal Care Committee assistance

Further Reading:

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Occupational Health Program for Animal-Related Activities
• Contact the Animal Care Office Team

Quality Assistance follow-up.

Throughout the duration of the protocol, quality assistants will ensure that research personnel follow the approved proposal. 

Further Reading:

• Quality Assistance Program
• ALPHA Certificate

Submit another proposal (after one year).

After the approved year ends, the researcher must submit another proposal through the AMS software to continue the research or start a new project.