All Animal Use Protocol applications in Microsoft Word forms have been discontinued. Animal Use Protocol applications and amendments are now in a fully Web based electronic software called Animal Management System (AMS). Please consult the AMS section for more information, requests for access, instruction manuals and navigational videos.
Optional table for animal number justification to use
In some cases, the use of a table is useful to explain the number and type of animals requested. It is optional (unless the committee requires it). You may download, complete and attached to the protocol in the explanation of animal numbers.
This form is loosely based on the old paper form:
- Optional Table for Number Justification - Word file
- Optional Table for Number Justification - Excel file
Peer Review process
In June 2008, for all Faculties and most Research Institutes, the peer review process changed. Applicable to all Facility Animal Care Committees (FACCs), the Animal Care Committees do not administer this process anymore. For projects funded by non-peer-reviewed sources, a researcher must request independent peer review from the Associate Dean of his/her Faculty or from the Director or Associate Director of the Research Institute of his/her Affiliated Hospital. Go to the Peer Review section for contact information of McGill Faculty Associate Dean's Offices.
Aquatic animals and CFIA importation permits
If you plan to import aquatic animals (such as Zebrafish), you must verify if the animal you want is listed as a susceptible species, which would require applying for an Aquatic Animal Health Import Permit from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The list of susceptible species is posted on their website.
The application for importation is submitted to the CFIA via permission [at] inspection.qc.ca using their form.
For more information, visit the CFIA website.
Controlled Substances
Requests for an exemption on the use of a controlled drugs to use in research is by applying to Health Canada using their application forms. For more information, visit their website.
Also see our institutional SOP #401 on Controlled drugs.Dispensing form for narcotics and controlled drugs (drug log) is at the end of the SOP #401.
Checklist for committee members when visiting laboratories and animal facilities (optional)
Forms from other sources
Forms for animal importation, services, workshop registrationand other animal management related matters fromthe Comparative Medicine Animal Resources Centre (CMARC) are found on their website.
Occupational Health and Program for animal related activities form (McGILL):
The Occupational Health Program for Animal Related Activities for McGill staff and student is now administered by the Environmental Safety Office. Please consult their website for details and application.
For faculty and technicians in Affiliated Hospital's Research Institutes, please consult your local Health Office.
Biohazard and Radioisotope forms:
These forms are obtained from the McGill Environmental Safety Office's website for McGill Faculties.
Material Transfer Agreements (MTA)
Contact a paralegal in the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) at (514) 398-7187. This person is in charge of: Legal/corporate research, Analyzing and researching legal issues, Material transfer agreements, Confidentiality agreements and License compliance.
Guideline on explaining animal numbers in section “19 – Justification for Animal Numbers” and example
Investigators should clearly justify the number of animals per strain needed for the experiments described in this protocol for the coming year.
Based on these experimental numbers, the investigator is to list separately the number of animals generated by breeding to obtain the experimental numbers. They should take into consideration the standard number for animals generated through breeding for the specific strain: for example, a single breeding couple of mice can generate on average 72 pups per year (1 female x 12 litters x 6 pups/litter).
The investigator is responsible for estimating how many breeding couples will be necessary to obtain the experimental animals carrying the right genotype, while taking into account the complexity of the breeding scheme necessary to achieve the genotype needed.
Example:
Experimental:
Analysis of 10 different axonal projections in 6 wild type and 6 mutant mice to perform statistical analysis on results (10 projections x 2 strains x 6 mice =120 mice needed for analysis).
Breeding:
Wild type mice: One breeding pair will be maintained for this strain. Each breeding couple will generate 72 pups per year. (1 breeding pair x 72 pups + 2 breeding mice = 74 mice)
Mutant mice: Two breeding pairs will be maintained for this line. Only 1 in 4 pups will have the desired genotype. They are poor breeders; each breeding couple will generate 40 pups only per year. (2 breeding pairs x 40 pups x 4 of different genotypes + 4 breeding mice = 324 mice)
Total number of mice requested is 398.
Confidentiality Form
If you need a confidentiality agreement form for employees or students of McGill University or an Affiliated Hospital Research Institute, please use: Confidentiality Agreement Form