Ten Top Tips for Animal Ethics Application Success
8. Monitoring and documenting the animals
The monitoring of research animals, both in terms of who does it and how it is achieved, is an issue that continually arises in AEC meetings. On the question of responsibility the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes is clear. It stipulates that, once animals are allocated to a project, investigators are responsible for the day-to-day monitoring of their well-being, NOT animal facility staff.
Accordingly applications must clearly indicate those investigators who have primary responsibility for monitoring animals allocated to the project – both during weekdays and after hours. When explaining the monitoring regime applications should be realistic about what can be achieved by specific individuals. Animal facility staff may be named to assist in this role but should not be made responsible for monitoring animals after allocation to a project.
In broad terms research animals must be monitored at least daily, with the precise frequency varying according to type of animal, their circumstances, and the nature and invasiveness of the procedures to which they are subjected. For instance, there is a need for researchers to distinguish between requirements for monitoring during and immediately after a procedure, as opposed to quieter periods between these intense experimental phases. The monitoring of animals in field activity also brings its own set of unique considerations, with specific issues around trapping, handling, marking, preventing recapture, and re-release.
Monitoring checklists
Monitoring checklists are a mandatory element of an animal ethics application and enable the identification of all individual animals, in terms of the procedures they have undergone, when these occurred, and the condition of the animal. The checklist prevents inappropriate reuse of animals and maintains sufficient rest periods, while allowing researchers to establish signs of discomfort, distress and deterioration in animals, and apply criteria for euthanasia where applicable. They must also include the frequency of monitoring.
Monitoring sheets need to be kept near animals, either within or close to rooms housing the animals, and readily accessible to all responsible personnel. While template monitoring sheets are available from the Melbourne Research Office (below), these must be adapted to the specifics of individual projects. Too frequently AECs receive non-customised template sheets, which are not fit for purpose. The Animal Welfare Officer is available to advise on all issues relating to monitoring arrangements and documentation.
Further resources:
- See our A-Z of animal welfare for guidance on monitoring and record keeping