Animals in Science and Education at UCalgary
At the University of Calgary, animals are a critical component to our research and teaching program. The University maintains a culture of respect, responsibility, and compassion towards animals in our care. Our institution is committed to openness and transparency, as working with animals is a privilege and responsibility that we take very seriously.
Our research and teaching with animals does not just occur at the University. Animal activities may also occur at licensed veterinary clinics, feedlots, ranches, farms, research field stations, urban, provincial and federal parks, and other accredited institutions.
Animals in Science and Education allow us to:
- Create tailored treatments to improve quality of life
- Reduce the risk of disease and improve outcomes
- Find solutions for lifelong health and well-being
- Address issues surrounding the interaction of animals, humans and their environment
- Optimize welfare and wellbeing of food producing animals
- Improve the safety and quality of meat and other animal food products
- Establish high levels of proficiency in clinical skills
- Provide up to date care practices to patients
- Understand human and animal physiology
- Investigate evolutionary development of important biological processes
Oversight of Animals
Animals in science and education is strictly regulated and follows the standards of the Canadian Council on Animal Care, a national organization responsible for setting and maintaining standards for the ethical use and care of animals in science and education. The University acknowledges the important responsibility we hold to ensure that no animal is used needlessly and that animals are spared unnecessary pain and distress.
Prior to any activities with animals being conducted, a detailed proposal is created and must:
- Initially undergo independent, expert evaluation to ensure the activities provide significant scientific or educational value to their field and are warranted;
- Next, if the work is deemed necessary, a rigorous ethics review is performed by the institutional animal care committee to ensure the proposed activities uphold high standards of animal welfare and care.
Once animal activities are approved through these processes, the University continually reviews and monitors animal activities to ensure ethical and humane treatment of animals under its care are upheld.
UCalgary Animal Facts
The following summarizes the types and percentage of animals, as well as their contributions to science and education at the University:
Rodents (72%)
- Comprises most of the animals in science and education at the University.
- Involved in studying animal and human diseases as well as developing new treatments for diseases like cancer, stroke, epilepsy and seizures, infectious as well as autoimmune conditions.
Aquatics (13%)
- Zebrafish are the most common aquatic species contributing to research studying developmental biology and diseases, such as retinal degeneration.
- Wild aquatic populations help investigate the effects of climate change and pollution on the ecosystem.
Farm Animals (13%)
- Cattle, chickens, horses, sheep and pigs are involved in research to better understand animal welfare and health issues that affect Canada's food industry, such as mastitis and avian influenza.
- Involved in teaching veterinary and medical professionals how to perform health examinations, diagnostics and therapeutic procedures.
Other (2%)
- Other important animal species include dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles, wildlife and nonhuman primates. No non-human primates are housed at the University.
- Dogs and cats help train veterinary professionals in exams, diagnostics, and treatments. Afterward, they’re adopted or returned to their owners.
- Rabbits, reptiles and wildlife contribute to understanding diseases, developing treatments, as well as evaluating issues surrounding the interaction of animals, humans and their environment.
- Non-human primates are primarily involved in field studies at accredited zoos, national primate centres, and in the wild investigating important areas like animal health, behaviour and responses to environmental disturbances.