The McGill Animal Policy & Welfare Oversight Committee (APWOC) offers training in animal use for research and teaching as part of our institution's commitment to animal welfare when there are no alternatives but to include them in projects having scientific merit.
Everyone listed in an Animal Use Protocol form is required to successfully pass the test for this THEORY course. The participant will need to know the material covered on this website and successfully pass a multiple-choice test. If training was obtained from another institution, successfully passing the test is sufficient.
If handling live animals, the person also needs to successfully pass the PRACTICAL course (workshop) specific to the species he/she intends to work with. The participant will be asked to perform the procedures covered in the workshop and to pass a multiple choice test for that workshop.
Exam link: https://forms.office.com/r/NEX62w62iG
Please note that EACH participant must make the request using his/her own email account. The participant must identify in which investigator’s lab they are working or the course title for which this test is a requirement (if applicable).
Theory Course
If you will work with Wild animals, domesticated amphibians, fish (including Zebrafish), birds and reptiles or, will be performing research in the field you must complete the Basic, Advanced and Wildlife Exam.
- Please read the basic, advanced and wildlife sections of the material: https://www.mcgill.ca/research/research/animals/training/general-information
- Complete the Basic, Advanced and Wildlife Exam: Basic, Advanced and Wildlife Exam Link (https://forms.office.com/r/JW4xpAyXZ5)
For all other users, you only need to complete the basic and advanced exam:
- Please read the basic and advanced sections of the material: https://www.mcgill.ca/research/research/animals/training/general-information
- Complete the Basic and Advanced exam: Basic and Advanced Exam Link (https://forms.office.com/r/NEX62w62iG)
Practical Course
There are animal Methodology Workshops regularly for each of the following species: rat, mouse and rabbit. Workshops for other rodent species and specialized ones for more advanced techniques are available on demand. The workshops demonstrate many procedures done on that species and requires the participant to adequately perform all the procedures during the workshop.
Training from another institution may be submitted to be evaluated for equivalencies to McGill’s practical training. A valid certificate and course syllabus (if techniques and species are not indicated on the certificate) may be sent via email to the animalcare [at] mcgill.ca (Training Advisor).
For more information, visit the main Training Program web page.
For those working with fish
Please read all the relevant Standard Operating Procedures pertaining to fish:
SOP 108-Fish Aquatic Amphibian Reptile Analgesia
SOP 118-Fish and Aquatic Amphibian Anesthesia
SOP 303-Fish and Aquatic Amphibian Euthanasia
The practical training for husbandry, care and monitoring of fish is to be given in-lab (in communication with the Training Advisor) to submit the completed training paperwork.
An interesting link:
Procedure to obtain certification
Read the material included in these Web pages
Exam link: https://forms.office.com/r/NEX62w62iG
· If you will be doing field studies, read the material under "Wild animals and domesticated amphibians, fish, birds and reptiles" and specify that you need the wildlife questions to be added to your test
To request a test, send an email to the animalcare [at] mcgill.ca (Training Advisor) and a weblink and code will be sent to you. Please note that EACH participant must make the request using his/her own email account.
If handling live animals, register for the practical course appropriate to you (see Workshop section for details on the Training Program landing page).
The theory course is not a prerequisite to the practical training.
If you have any questions or problems, please email the animalcare [at] mcgill.ca (Training Advisor).