Working With Animals

In the context of the Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition, 'regulated animals' refers only to:

•        animals experimentally infected or intoxicated with a human pathogen or toxin (under the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and Human Pathogens and Toxins Regulations)
•        animals naturally or experimentally infected or intoxicated with a terrestrial animal pathogen or part of one (under the Health of Animals Act and Health of Animals Regulations)

This definition of regulated animals applies to domestic animal species already in Canada, as well as imported animal species, regardless of how they became infected or intoxicated.

The term 'animals' refers to all live animals within a containment zone or moving across a containment barrier. Given the increased risk of working with animals, whether regulated or not, special considerations and handling techniques are required to:

•        protect personnel from exposure
•        prevent the spread of contamination
•        protect the health and safety of the public

For example:

•        preventing the entry and exit of animal pests protects against the release of regulated materials outside the containment zone (Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition requirement 3.1.1)
•        restricting viewing of animals to authorized personnel reduces risk of theft, misuse, diversion or intentional release of regulated materials and related assets such as animals (Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition requirement 4.6.1)
•        conducting inoculation, surgical, and necropsy procedures on animals in the appropriate primary containment device protects personnel and the environment from potentially infectious aerosols and aerosolized toxins (Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition requirement 4.6.5)
•        restricting the movement of animals within a containment zone and preventing their escape limits their potential exposure to regulated materials and the spread of contamination (Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition requirement 4.6.10)

For guidance on animal work considerations with respect to Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition, please contact:

•        The Public Health Agency of Canada at biosafety.biosecurite@phac-aspc.gc.ca
•        The Canadian Food Inspection Agency at biocon@inspection.gc.ca