1. Access Research Portal

All PIs must obtain access to Memorial research software in advance of submitting protocols for animal use.

2. Prior Approval

No animal may be acquired, housed, bred or used and no animal-based activity may begin, until the ACC has issued written approval. Approval must remain current for the full duration of the activity. Further guidance or concerns should be directed to acs@mun.ca.

3. Scientific and Pedagogical Merit

All animal-based research, teaching and training requires an approved, appropriate and rigorous scientific merit peer review by independent, experts, as required by CCACand in accordance with the University procedures. All teaching and training activities involving animals must have approval by pedagogical merit peer-review as undertaken by independent experts in pedagogy. Merit peer-review is distinct from ethical review by the Animal Care Committee.

4. ACC Ethical Assessment

The ACC will consider the purpose and anticipated benefits of the activity; the appropriateness of the species and model; the Three Rs; the number of animals; the invasiveness and potential harms; anesthesia and analgesia; experimental and humane endpoints; housing and care; personnel qualifications; occupational health and safety; disposition of animals; and any cumulative endpoints, or special ethical concerns.

5. Amendments, Renewals and Closure

Material changes require ACC approval before implementation. AUPs must be renewed or resubmitted according to CCAC and University requirements. PIs must notify the ACC when work is complete and provide required final or annual reports.

6. Collaborative and Multi-Institutional Activities

Animal-based activities involving more than one institution require documented coordination of ethical review, veterinary care, monitoring, incident reporting and institutional accountability. Memorial remains responsible for ensuring appropriate oversight of activities conducted under its auspices, including work at third-party locations.

7. Field Studies and Alternate Locations

Field studies and work outside conventional animal facilities require ACC approval and must address permits, capture and handling, transportation, temporary holding, release, biosecurity, occupational risks, emergency response and local or community considerations. The ACC may require review of sites before approval or during the activity through submission of images or videos.