Animal Care Committee

The Douglas College Animal Care Committee (DCACC) is mandated to safeguard the welfare of animals involved in research and teaching at Douglas College and at all affiliated locations. Since Douglas College is not a designated research institution, the animals are almost exclusively used for teaching purposes, for student training in the Biology department, Veterinary Technology program and Veterinary Office and Animal Care Certificate program.

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association mandates that Veterinary Technologists are trained in the competent execution of an approved list of essential skills, using live animals such as dogs, cats, horses and ruminants. These animals are typically lovingly owned, or rescued animals from shelters or foster families, that are brought on campus, as needed, for specific required veterinary procedures and are not housed at Douglas College.

Douglas College recognizes that involving animals in teaching and research is a privilege, not a right. Therefore we are committed to:

• reduce animal use for teaching as much as is practical through the “3 Rs” (reduce, refine, replace); and, 
• transparency for all institutional animal use.

Procedures and policies are strictly enforced, internally and externally, to ensure that animal welfare is a primary consideration in meeting the goals of teaching and research.

The DCACC is responsible for ensuring that all animal use at Douglas College conforms to the mandatory guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC). The College is accredited by the CCAC and holds the CCAC Certificate of Good Animal Practice (GAP).

The DCACC reports to the Vice-President Academic and its membership includes representatives from the general public and from all College departments that may involve animals in teaching.

Committee members review all procedures involving animals and ensure that animals are housed in appropriate facilities under suitable conditions. They also ensure that researchers and animal care staff are appropriately trained and qualified to care for the animals under their supervision.