The University of Alberta is committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of animal welfare in research. This commitment aligns with the practices of other Canadian research institutions and the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Transparency Initiative.
Animal research raises important ethical questions. For this reason, the use of animals in science at the University of Alberta is regarded as a privilege, not a right — one that carries significant responsibility. This is embodied in rigorous approval and oversight processes and in extensive training for those who include animals in teaching and research. These are in place to ensure that animals are used ethically and humanely, and only when no alternatives are available. The University of Alberta maintains an unwavering commitment to meeting and sustaining all regulatory requirements.
Because we proactively seek alternatives to animal use, we utilize many innovative animal-free methods that deliver crucial, targeted results; however, because they cannot yet fully replicate the complex biological interactions of a whole living organism, animal research remains necessary and essential for scientific breakthroughs.
Animal research has played a critical role in advancing medicine and health, contributing to the development of insulin for diabetes, cancer therapies, vaccines, anaesthetics, organ transplantation, treatments for heart disease and medical imaging technologies. At the University of Alberta, animal studies also support research focused on animal well-being and their environments, including livestock production, wildlife biology and understanding the impacts of climate change.
The University of Alberta is a member of the European Animal Research Association.
In 2025, the U of A joined the European Animal Research Association (EARA), an international body dedicated to providing accurate, evidence-based information on the continued need for and benefits of humane animal research.
