Report Major Animal Welfare Incidents Immediately

Certified institutions must report major animal welfare incidents to the CCAC within 10 days of the event (CCAC Policy: Certification of Animal Ethics and Care Programs).

As defined by the CCAC, a Major Animal Welfare Incident (MAWI) refers to an event that leads to the unanticipated death of research, teaching and testing animals, including animals on breeding or holding protocols, or poses an immediate and significant threat to animal health or welfare.

CCAC indicates that a MAWI can include:

• catastrophic failure of critical life support system(s) that leads to the death of research, teaching or testing animals, or poses a significant threat to animal health or welfare;
• disregard of, or unintended failure to follow, practices or procedures that leads to the death of research, teaching or testing animals, or poses a significant threat to animal health or welfare;
• significant and unanticipated morbidity or mortality unrelated to the above; or
• serious or continuous noncompliance with CCAC standards that leads to the suspension by the animal care committee or the institution of an animal-based activity that threatens animal health or welfare.

For more information on the CCAC requirement, consult Questions 4 and 5 in the CCAC's Frequently Asked Questions for their policy on Certification of Animal Ethics and Care Programs.

MAWI Reporting Procedures at the University of Alberta

Principal Investigators are responsible to ensure that all major incidents involving ACUC-approved animal use are immediately reported to either the Facility Veterinarian, the University Veterinarian and/or ACUC Chair who will coordinate to ensure timely reporting to CCAC within the 10-day deadline. 

Principal Investigators should remind their research/teaching team members of the importance of following the approved animal protocol and applicable SOPs, and of immediately reporting all major incidents (or those that might "possibly" be major) to one of the individuals above.

The University Veterinarian will consult the CCAC as needed to determine whether an event must be formally reported.

The University Veterinarian will work with the ACUC Chair to send the MAWI report to CCAC. The VP (Research and Innovation), Associate Dean Research and UAPWC will be copied on these reports.

For more information about UAlberta procedures for MAWI reporting, contact the University Veterinarian, a Facility Veterinarian or an ACUC Chair.