The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) has published a comprehensive guide to the care and use of experimental animals, which is updated regularly to reflect advancements and changes in animal welfare practices. The guide covers various aspects of animal care, including laboratory animal facilities, environmental considerations, animal care and handling, social and behavioral requirements, special practices, occupational health and safety, anesthesia, euthanasia, and legislation governing experimental animals. Key points include: - **National Level**: The CCAC's role in setting standards and guidelines for animal care, including the establishment of local Animal Care Committees (ACCs) to ensure ethical practices. - **Laboratory Animal Facilities**: Detailed guidelines on facility design, construction, and animal housing. - **Environmental Factors**: Control of climate, noise, chemicals, bedding, and population density. - **Social and Behavioral Requirements**: Emphasis on enriching the environment, social interaction, and maintaining animal well-being. - **Special Practices**: Guidelines for animal acquisition, restraint, and manipulations. - **Occupational Health and Safety**: Safety protocols and hazard management. - **Anesthesia and Euthanasia**: Best practices for minimizing pain and distress. - **Legislation**: Overview of federal and provincial legislation governing animal use in research, including the Criminal Code, Health of Animals Act, and specific provincial acts. The CCAC's efforts have led to improvements in animal care practices and a decline in the number of animals used in research, reflecting a commitment to ethical and humane treatment. The guide also highlights the importance of community involvement and ongoing evaluation to ensure the continued improvement of animal welfare standards.The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) has published a comprehensive guide to the care and use of experimental animals, which is updated regularly to reflect advancements and changes in animal welfare practices. The guide covers various aspects of animal care, including laboratory animal facilities, environmental considerations, animal care and handling, social and behavioral requirements, special practices, occupational health and safety, anesthesia, euthanasia, and legislation governing experimental animals. Key points include: - **National Level**: The CCAC's role in setting standards and guidelines for animal care, including the establishment of local Animal Care Committees (ACCs) to ensure ethical practices. - **Laboratory Animal Facilities**: Detailed guidelines on facility design, construction, and animal housing. - **Environmental Factors**: Control of climate, noise, chemicals, bedding, and population density. - **Social and Behavioral Requirements**: Emphasis on enriching the environment, social interaction, and maintaining animal well-being. - **Special Practices**: Guidelines for animal acquisition, restraint, and manipulations. - **Occupational Health and Safety**: Safety protocols and hazard management. - **Anesthesia and Euthanasia**: Best practices for minimizing pain and distress. - **Legislation**: Overview of federal and provincial legislation governing animal use in research, including the Criminal Code, Health of Animals Act, and specific provincial acts. The CCAC's efforts have led to improvements in animal care practices and a decline in the number of animals used in research, reflecting a commitment to ethical and humane treatment. The guide also highlights the importance of community involvement and ongoing evaluation to ensure the continued improvement of animal welfare standards.