Animal Testing

Animal-related projects must follow Youth Science Canada policies and applicable regulations. This guidance covers projects involving vertebrates, cephalopods, decapod crustaceans, embryos or animal tissues. Review the policy before designing or starting an experiment.

Projects requiring review

• Read the relevant Youth Science Canada animal research policy.
• Find a scientific supervisor and prepare a research plan.
• Submit the required Advice/Ruling request and receive approval before the experiment begins.
• Complete the required approval form and bring the approval documents to the fair.

The source site says the Advice/Ruling request is emailed to scrstf@gmail.com.

Activities described by the fair

The source guidance distinguishes observation from experimentation. It describes observation of animals at zoos, farms or as pets as allowed, and permits positive-reward behaviour experiments that do not cause stress. It prohibits experiments that negatively affect animal health or comfort or lead to death.

Animal tissues are allowed only from a biological supply company, licensed research laboratory or food-industry salvage. Most invertebrate experiments are allowed when educational or scientific value is demonstrated and animals are treated with care; cephalopods are excluded from this exception.

Read the full policies

Requirements vary by project. Consult the Youth Science Canada policy directory, the full SCRSTF animal testing guidance and Safety and Ethics. Contact the fair if anything is unclear before starting.