The Saint Mary’s University Animal Care Committee (SMU ACC) is responsible for ensuring that animals used in research, teaching, or testing at SMU are treated ethically, and adheres to the highest standards for animal ethics and care in research and education in accordance with Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) policies and guidelines.
No animal-based work under CCAC mandate can begin until approved by the SMU ACC. All SMU faculty, staff, and students planning animal-based research or teaching activities, including direct or indirect use of animals or animal tissues in laboratory or wild settings, should contact the ACC Coordinator to first determine if their work requires SMU ACC ethical review and approval (for more information, see CCAC Policy: Requirement for submitting an animal protocol). This should be done at least two months in advance of any planned work.
For more information, contact the ACC Coordinator at animalcare@smu.ca.
Dr. Susan Bjornson Caila HendersonChair of the Animal Care Committee Animal Care Committee CoordinatorProfessor, Department of Biology Atrium Building 210AScience Building 538 Phone: 902-420-5684Phone: 902-496-8751 animalcare@smu.ca susan.bjornson@smu.ca
The SMU ACC is subject to regular peer review by the CCAC, which involves an evaluation of the animal care and use program, the effectiveness of the ACC to oversee the program, the welfare of the animals in their charge, and the appropriateness of Saint Mary’s University animal facilities, practices, and procedures. Assessments are based on CCAC guidelines, policies, and associated documents, and are conducted by CCAC assessment panels.
SMU ACC Terms of Reference
SMU ACC Membership
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Animal Care and Use Newsletter - April 2025
Animal Care and Use Newsletter - January 2025
ACC review meetings will take place from 12:00-2:00pm on the dates indicated.
All submissions and inquiries to animalcare@smu.ca
Submission, Review, and Animal Tracking Processes
SMU ACC submission process - research protocols
SMU ACC submission process - teaching protocols
SMU ACC Review Process
SMU ACC AUDF Best Practices
Policies
SMU ACC Policy on PI Role and Responsibility
SMU ACC Policy for Reporting Animal Welfare Incidents
SMU ACC Policy on Post Approval Monitoring
SMU ACC Training Policy for Animal Users
SMU ACC Training Policy for ACC Members
SMU ACC Policy on Scientific Merit Review
SMU ACC Policy on Pedagogical Merit Review
SMU ACC Policy on the Adoption of Laboratory Fishes
SMU ACC Policy for Use of Avian Embryos
Animal Use Protocol Form - Laboratory
Animal Use Protocol Form - Field
Amendment and Renewal Form
Teaching Appendix Form
Animal Welfare Incident Report Form
Study Closure Form
For Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), please use the SMU Faculty of Science SOP template.
CCAC - Ethics in Animal Experimentation
3 R’s (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement)
CCAC guidelines: Animal welfare assessment
CCAC guidelines: Identification of scientific endpoints, humane intervention points, and cumulative endpoints
CCAC Categories of Invasiveness
FAQ: Scientific Merit and Ethical Review of Animal-based Research
FAQ: Pedagogical Merit Review of Animal-based Teaching and Training
Any concerns regarding animals used in research and teaching at Saint Mary's University can be reported to the Associate Vice President, Research (Dr. Adam Sarty, adam.sarty@smu.ca) and/or the ACC Coordinator (animalcare@smu.ca). The anonymity of persons reporting concerns will be maintained, and all reported concerns will be investigated.