Animals Used in Science

The CCAC encourages institutions to make a concerted effort to increase transparency as well as engage the public and other institutions regarding their animal-based scientific activities. Each institution will start from a different place and perspective, as it is dependent on comfort level, capacity, and experience. However, the CCAC’s goal is for institutions to make a commitment to continuous progress toward better transparency, regardless of how incremental it may seem.

Institutions that are more transparent with their animal-based scientific activities often publish a written statement on their website about their commitment to transparency in animal-based science, along with other information related to animal-based science including:

• animal use data
• implementation of Three Rs strategies
• profiles, outcomes
• standard operating procedures

The CCAC’s role in this phase of the initiative is to advocate for increased transparency in animal-based science, lay the groundwork by providing the necessary tools for widespread adoption, encourage and support institutions, and recognize those who make strides toward transparency. Not participating in this initiative will in no way affect an institution’s certification status.

Canadian Transparency Agreement

The CCAC encourages institutions to collaborate in the development of a formal Canadian transparency agreement. This agreement could be similar to transparency agreements developed in research-intensive countries where animal welfare is highly prioritized, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand. The institutions within these agreements commit to continuously improve their efforts toward transparency in animal-based science.

Should institutions wish to create a formal transparency initiative, the CCAC will provide external resources to do so. While it is not the CCAC’s role to create such an agreement, it fully supports organizations who wish to make strides in this direction.