Animal Users

As per the CCAC guidelines on: institutional animal user training program all personnel involved in the care and use of animals for research, teaching and testing (including animal users, i.e., investigators, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and research staff) must possess:

• an adequate knowledge of the principles of experimental animal science relevant to their area of work (laboratory, field, or agriculture)
• the technical skills required for any procedure they must carry out
• an appreciation of the ethical issues of using animals for scientific purposes in Canada

There is a need to ensure the competency and qualification of personnel involved in the care and use of animals through well-targeted training before the beginning of the animal-based work, and through additional training, as their activities or responsibilities change.

• Training Modules

  The training modules of the Core Stream, which reflect the core topics of the CCAC Recommended syllabus for an institutional animal user training program, are relevant to all animal users. Noncore topics are covered in other knowledge streams.

  
  Training Modules

• CCAC Guidelines

  The CCAC publishes guidelines documents on the ethical use and care of animals in science. Guidelines are intended to provide assistance in the implementation of best practices and the achievement of Russell and Burch's Three Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) for use of animals in science. All CCAC guidelines are based on scientific evidence and have undergone extensive peer review.

  
  CCAC Guidelines

Note: Training materials made available or suggested by the CCAC are intended as resources to support the development and implementation of institutional animal user training programs by institutions and their animal care committees (ACCs). The actual training requirements and the competency of animal users are to be determined by institutional ACCs, working with those responsible for training in practice and with the institution’s senior administrator.