Animals continue to play a key role in groundbreaking research discoveries that impact both human and animal health. At Trent, the Animal Care Department is responsible for providing the research animals at Trent with the best standard of care and enrichment as well as supporting research goals.
The department’s practices are guided by an understanding that as science and technology advance, so does our standard of care. Just because some work happened a certain way in the past does not mean it is acceptable in the present. Responsible stewardship begins with a willingness to educate ourselves and evolve where appropriate.
With a commitment to providing Trent’s animals with the best possible care and enrichment, the implementation of industry best practice is instinctive in the Animal Care department. We share our efforts through transparent operations and open communication about day-to-day activities. Trent Animal Care is a registered animal research facility with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Trent has also been a party to the Canadian Council on Animal Care Assessment and Certification program since the organization’s inception in 1968 and maintains certifications and memberships with the Canadian Association for Lab Animal Science.
The department is subject to surprise inspections by the province and inspections by its internal governing body, the Animal Care Committee, a stakeholder group comprising staff, faculty, students, technicians, and an external veterinarian. This committee is responsible for approving all protocols relating to animals used in science at Trent.
Animal research at Trent
The use of animals in research and teaching requires the highest ethical standards related to the practice. Trent University respects the unique contributions animals make to improving health, understanding and preventing disease, saving lives, and helping to understand the fundamental biology of wildlife populations. Our investigators, research staff, veterinarian and animal care technicians are committed to humane animal care, and all researchers working with animals receive the proper training, guidance, and resources.
At Trent, animals are primarily used in research related to fundamental biology, with researchers contributing to studies on Alzheimer's disease, stroke, cancer, and infectious diseases in wildlife. A significant portion of that work takes place in the field with wild animal populations and involves observing animals and taking samples from their living environment, or capturing animals to perform examinations, take samples, and releasing them. Research within our Animal Care facilities may involve fish, amphibians bred and raised in captivity, domestic birds, rats, and mice.
Frequently asked questions about Animal Care
- Why does Trent University do animal research? Is it necessary?
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From determining the efficacy and safety of life-saving drugs to playing a key role in wildlife conservation efforts, live animal research is crucial in gaining fundamental knowledge in science and improving the lives of people and animals alike.
Research on live animals must always be justified and judicious. Each researcher at Trent must confirm that no alternative is available for the study, and they must meet strict national and international protocols and standards.
- What kinds of research at Trent involves animals?
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Most studies at Trent are focused on fundamental biology, with researchers contributing to studies on Alzheimer's disease, stroke, cancer, and infectious diseases in wildlife. Much of the research that takes place in a laboratory environment concentrates on behaviour, striving to understand the biological basis of learning and memory, other studies are physiological in nature, working to reveal how stress hormones influence the body’s ability to fight disease. Our field studies focus on a range of biological topics, such as understanding the implications of environmental change, and may range from a simple census, with no animal contact, to the live capture of animals to, for example, take biological samples or apply a tag or tracking device.
- What kinds of animals are involved in research at Trent?
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Animal research at Trent involves a range of animals, from small animals such as mice, rats, tadpoles, and fish in our laboratories, to field research with shrews, mice, perching birds, coyotes, lake trout, and caribou.
- How does Trent ensure the well-being of animals involved in research?
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Trent Animal Care is a registered animal research facility with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and is compliant with the Animals for Research Act. The department is also subject to the Canadian Council on Animal Care Assessment and Certification program and maintains certifications and memberships with the Canadian Association for Lab Animal Science. All these groups require regular updates on any noteworthy events.
Before animal research is considered, researchers must demonstrate that there are no viable alternatives to using live animals. Their research project must then be approved by Trent’s Animal Care Committee. Researchers need to provide the committee with animal use protocols that address any potentially adverse procedures or conditions, and which include plans and provisions for care. They then continue to work with the Animal Care Committee for the duration of their research project, with a mid-project review and an end of project review.
All laboratory animals at Trent are provided with veterinary standards of care and are kept in environments tailored to their physical and psychological needs. Animals receive care seven days a week, with detailed daily reports being kept on each animal’s welfare.
Animal research is overseen by qualified personnel, including a veterinarian and staff certified by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Technicians caring for animals are trained in animal handling to maximize animal comfort and minimize animal distress.
- What is the role of the Animal Care Committee?
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The Trent Animal Care Committee is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and approving all animal research at the University. You can learn more about the committee and its composition on the Office of Research and Innovation website.
The committee evaluates the steps that will be taken to ensure the well-being of animals in research and abides by the three Rs for animals used in science:
- Replacement: Designing research methods that avoid or replace the use of animals in a study where animals would otherwise have been used
- Reduction: Minimizing the number of animals
- Refinement: Designing and modifying procedures to minimize distress.
- What happens when something goes wrong, and an animal is injured or dies?
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The oversight measures in place for animal-related research at Trent minimizes the risk for something going wrong. When an unforeseen event does occur, it is reported to the Animal Care Committee with recommendations on how to prevent such an occurrence in the future. Should a person be found negligent in their work with animals, their permissions to work with these animals will be revoked and they may be subject to more serious measures such as termination of employment.
- What happens to the animals once a research project ends?
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For fieldwork, the animals are often returned to the wild after handling to live out the rest of their natural lives.
In the case of lab animals, Trent makes every effort to use these animals for teaching or future studies. In some instances, animals are adopted out or re-homed (for example, two of our alpacas retired to Riverview Park & Zoo). When the above is not an option, an animal will be humanely euthanized in a manner that complies with Canadian Council on Animal Care guidelines.
Working in animal science is truly rewarding. As the sector continues to evolve, we strive to provide our animals with even better care and enrichment. For a behind the scenes glimpse into our day-to-day activities, follow @trentanimalcare on Instagram.
- Where can I find out more about the ethical treatment of animals in animal research in Canada?
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Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC): An independent body that oversees the ethical use of animals in science in Canada and responsible for the dissemination of information on the use of animals in science to Canadians. The CCAC also compiles annual statistics on the number of animals used in science.
Canadian Association for Lab Animal Science (CALAS/ACSAL): A national association dedicated to providing high quality training and educational resources
