Animal Research and Teaching

Animals Research Numbers

As part of its accountability to the Canadian public and commitment to transparency, the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) publishes annual animal use data from CCAC-certified institutions. These annual animal use data reports are readily accessible to all Canadians and are typically published annually in October for the prior calendar year.

The University of Alberta reported the following data to CCAC for 2024.

By animal type

In 2024, the most recent year for which data are available, the University of Alberta reported a total of 89,985 animals involved in science, in both research and teaching protocols. The distribution of animal types is as follows:

Rodents (38 per cent): This group, primarily rats and mice, represents the largest category of animals at the university.
Fish and amphibians/reptiles (32 per cent): This includes a significant number of “small warm-water fish,” such as zebrafish and a small number of amphibians and reptiles.
Wildlife (22 per cent): These animals are part of observational field biology programs that involve wild birds and small and large mammals.
Agricultural animals (8 per cent): As a leader in agricultural research, the university works with cattle, pigs and poultry. A proportion of agricultural animals are also used for biomedical purposes.
Other mammals (Less than 0.4 per cent): This small percentage includes rabbits, mammals other than wildlife, farm animals or rodents.

Animal Use in Research by Animal Type (2024)
Category	Number	Percent of total
Rodents	34183	37.99 per cent
Fish, Reptiles/Amphibians	28889	32.10 per cent
Wildlife	19430	21.59 per cent
Agricultural species	7152	7.95 per cent
Other mammals	331	0.37 per cent
Total	89985	100.00 per cent

How does research impact animals?

The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) classifies all animal research into five Categories of Invasiveness (A through E). These categories help us monitor and minimize the impact of research on animal welfare.

Category A: Minimal Impact

This category includes experiments involving tissue cultures, eggs, and single-cell organisms. Because these studies do not involve living vertebrate animals, the CCAC does not require annual reporting.

Categories B and C: Low to Minor Impact (52 per cent of animals)

In 2024, more than half of the animals used by the University of Alberta fell into these categories. The impact ranges from little to no discomfort to minor, short-term stress. Examples include:

Observing animals in their natural wild habitats with minor disturbance.
Brief periods of restraint of animals for tagging or identification.
Taking small blood samples or administering medications.
Minor surgical biopsies performed under anesthesia.

Category D: Moderate Impact (46.5 per cent of animals)

Studies in this category involve the potential for moderate to severe distress or discomfort. The university proactively manages and reduces these potential impacts with strict veterinary oversight. Examples include:

Major surgeries performed under anesthesia with the use of analgesics (painkillers).
The capture and handling of wildlife for study.
Research into the progression of certain diseases.

Category E: Severe Impact (1.2 per cent of animals)

A very small proportion of research falls into Category E, which involves procedures that can potentially cause severe pain or distress. These studies are subject to the highest level of ethical review and oversight, and must demonstrate that the potential scientific or medical breakthrough justifies the impact, as no alternative methods are available.

Category of Invasiveness	Total	Percentage
B	23,010	26%
C	24,007	27%
D	41,885	47%
E	1,083	1%
Total	89,985	100

Purposes for which animals are involved in science

The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) classifies animal involvement into six specific purposes. These categories help explain the goals behind the research conducted at the University of Alberta.

Basic Research (Purpose 1)

66.0 per cent of animals (59,394 total) The majority of research work is classified as fundamental scientific inquiries. This includes disciplines such as biology, psychology, physiology, and biochemistry. This research provides the essential knowledge required to understand how living systems function and is the foundation of subsequent biomedical research for specific diagnostic methods and treatments, and our understanding of animals in the environment.

Medical and Veterinary Research (Purpose 2)

29.3 per cent of animals (26,333 total) This research focuses on developing treatments for diseases. The goal is to improve health care outcomes for both humans and animals. This work is extensively based on basic research and is essential for the creation of new diagnostics, therapies and life-saving interventions.

Regulatory Testing (Purpose 3)

0 per cent of animals in 2024 Canadian laws require that animals be used in investigating, regulating and enforcing environmental laws, or for the final stages of licensing of new drugs or materials. In 2024, no animals were involved in regulatory testing at the University of Alberta.

Product Development (Purpose 4)

3.0 per cent of animals in 2024 (2692 total) This category involves the creation of new medical or veterinary products, appliances, or diagnostic tools. It is typically used at the University of Alberta to include the final stages of development only, and earlier stages of research and development are included in Purpose 1 and Purpose 2.

Educational Purposes (Purpose 5)

Approximately 1.7 per cent of animals (1566 total) were involved in several fields of teaching, including biology courses, and agriculture courses where students learn to handle livestock. This category also includes the training of animal facility staff and students. We proactively replace vertebrate animals with invertebrates, and inanimate or digital simulations for teaching purposes whenever possible. Every use of animals in teaching or training must undergo rigorous review of the educational value or benefit as well as thorough ethical reviews.