In 2010, a total of 211,604 animals were involved in scientific research at UBC. This represents roughly six per cent of total animals involved in research in Canada (3.375 million according to the Canadian Council for Animal Care.)

In context, UBC ranks consistently amongst the top three recipients of federal research funding in the country.

97 per cent of the animals used were rodents (56 per cent), fish (35 per cent) and reptiles and amphibians (6 per cent).

Birds represent 1.25 per cent of all animals used in 2010, all of which were in studies causing minor, short term or no distress or discomfort (Category B and C).

Mammals other than rodents make up fewer than two per cent of animals used.

The numbers and types of animals involved in research at UBC in 2010 were calculated from a total of 982 animal care research protocols approved by the UBC Animal Care Committee for that year. Each research protocol tracks the number and type of animals involved in the study, whether it is a catch-and-release study in the field, an observational study, or a laboratory study.

Every UBC study involving animals is required to pass a detailed ethical review that verifies the study will use humane and appropriate research methodologies, that it will address questions which can only be answered through research with animals, and that it will involve as few animals as possible while generating valid scientific data.

Only when a study proposal passes this vigorous ethical review process – adjudicated by a panel of experts and members of the public – does UBC issue an animal care protocol.

The Canadian Council on Animal Care divides animal research into five Categories of Invasiveness (A to E). Category A includes most experiments involving tissue cultures, eggs and single-cell organisms and does not require annual reporting.

More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of animals involved in research at UBC fall under Category B and C, which cause less than minor or short-term stress. This includes vast numbers of animals (including those in the wild) that are tagged for tracking and observation – such as whales, dolphins, turtles, salmon and seahorses – in conservation studies.

Animals used in Category D studies, which are thought to cause moderate to severe distress or discomfort, make up just under one-third of total animals. The vast majority are mice, rats, toads, and fish. In all studies, proper anesthesia was administered.

Approximately 0.01 per cent, or 31 animals, were involved in Category E studies, all of which were performed in surgical settings. Proper pain control and anesthesia were administered during and after all procedures, as with humans undergoing surgery.

By category of invasiveness

The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) divides the purposes for which we involve animals into 6 categories.

Purpose 1: Of the 211,604 animals involved in scientific research at UBC in 2010, approximately two-thirds (64.9 per cent) took part in basic science projects, including biology, psychology, physiology and biochemistry. These studies help scientists advance knowledge about wild animals, about human and animal health, and about the world we live in.

Purpose 2: Approximately 27 per cent of the animals are involved in medical studies, in order to enhance human and animal health, and to provide insight into the causes and potential treatments for human or animal diseases and disorders.

Purposes 3 and 4: Under Canadian law, all potential drugs, medical products and appliances – including vaccines for both humans and animals, stents, heart valves for humans and bionic parts for pets – must first be tested on animals before clinical trials are allowed. Every effort is made to ensure that we involve the minimum number of animals required in order to obtain scientifically valid data. Approximately one per cent of animals involved in research at UBC were part of this kind of study.

Purpose 5: A small percentage of advanced courses need animals to teach students the manual techniques and skills of their profession, and to illustrate basic and advanced scientific concepts in complex organisms. Where possible, vertebrate animals are replaced by invertebrates, videos and computer models. Educational programs involving animals at UBC must be approved by the faculty concerned and the University Senate; they are subject to the same level of rigorous CCAC and UBC oversight as research projects. Just over one percent of animals involved in research at UBC were used for educational purposes.

Purpose 0: This category covers animals, mostly rats and mice, that are bred with research-specific genetic characteristics. In 2010, those animals represented slightly over five per cent of the total.

By Purpose of Use