CCAC Mandate and Definition of Universality

The CCAC was established in 1968. Its mission statement underlines the focus of the CCAC on the ethical principles of animal-based experimentation.

"The purpose of the Canadian Council on Animal Care is to act in the interests of the people of Canada to ensure through programs of education, assessment and persuasion that the use of animals, where necessary, for research, teaching and testing employs optimal physical and psychological care according to acceptable scientific standards, and to promote an increased level of knowledge, awareness and sensitivity to relevant ethical principles."

Definition of Universality:

Universal application of the programs of the CCAC means that they apply to all animals used by: i) members, ii) individuals, and iii) employees, agents or owners acting on behalf of organizations or businesses registered or operating in Canada for any of the following purposes:

• to investigate or to search carefully for fact or truth in order to produce knowledge about humans and/or animals;
  
  
• to transfer or to permit the acquisition of knowledge; or, to develop or improve skills;
  
  
• to use an established or legislated procedure to demonstrate, determine or verify a fact or findings. This includes, but is not limited to: the testing of sera, vaccines, diagnostics or medical/veterinary/biological products or conducting biological tests; performing toxicological or pharmacological procedures; identifying or detecting pregnancy, disease or other physiological conditions, or characteristics other than those used in normal and proper veterinary treatment.
  
  
• to produce products for the purpose of generating a profit. This includes, but is not limited to: the manufacture of sera, vaccines, diagnostics, or medical/veterinary/bio-logical products; the capture, production or transportation of animals for use in research, teaching, testing or manufacturing; and agricultural quality improvement programs."

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