Reporting requirements for animal ethics

Each year, the reports on all AEC-approved protocols are collated into a report that the AEC needs to send to the University Council and to MPI. MPI collects data on the numbers and types of animals used in approved programmes throughout New Zealand. Therefore, it is important that you report the actual numbers of animals used and the severity of the manipulations in a correct and timely manner.

The 1999 regulations require institutions to keep readily accessible records of all experiments involving animals and provide these to MPI annually and on request. The regulations also specify that records must be kept for five years following the expiry of the period of approval.

Research

When the project finishes or when the approval expires, an end-of-approval report is to be submitted online. This should take place within three months.

The report will capture information on the manipulations that were performed or the tissues collected, the number of animals used and the outcome of the project.

A final animal usage return for the final year, or part year of the project, together with the end of approval report, is to be submitted online via the Infonetica Ethics RM system.

Teaching

When the project finishes or when the approval expires, the teaching questionnaire and summary of responses are to be submitted via email to the animal ethics secretariat.

A final animal usage return must be submitted online via the Infonetica Ethics RM system. The report will capture information on the manipulations that were performed or the tissues collected, the number of animals used, and the outcome of the project.

If anything unexpected happens before, during or after manipulations, and this affects animal welfare, it needs to be reported as soon as possible. Urgent welfare concerns must be acted upon immediately by contacting a team leader or unit manager of the animal facility. In all cases, report the issue or incident using the appropriate form, and contact the animal welfare officer or animal ethics secretariat as soon as possible.

All deaths that occur prior to the planned end of the experiment must be reported to the animal welfare officer as soon as possible so that a post-mortem examination can be carried out if necessary. These include:

• Animals that are found dead or moribund
• Animals that are killed due to abnormalities which make them not fit for purpose

Sick animals should be reported to the animal facility manager as soon as possible, using a Clinical Incident Form (also known as a Sick and Dead Animal Report), which is available in all animal facilities.

Note: Husbandry or experimental incidents that have impacted or may impact animal welfare (e.g. power cut, accidental overdose of anaesthetic, flooded cage) must be reported according to the Unexpected Adverse Event Report. The animal facility manager must also be notified.

Animal Ethics Committee
Email: animalethics@auckland.ac.nz

Animal welfare officer (AWO)
Email: awo@auckland.ac.nz