Trent University
MyTrent
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Trent Online
    • Summer Courses
    • Continuing Education
    • Study Abroad
    • Academic Calendar
    • Academic Timetable
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Academic Advising
    • Library
    • Centre for Teaching and Learning
  • Admissions
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Services & Support
    • Academic Advising
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Administrative Departments
    • Alumni Services
    • Athletics
    • Campus Security
    • Careerspace
    • Colleges
    • Communications
    • Conferences
    • Financial Aid
    • Financial Services
    • Health & Wellness
    • Indigenous Services
    • Information Technology
    • International Students
    • Learning Support
    • Parking
    • Printshop
    • Recruitment
    • Registrar's Office
    • Residence & Housing
    • Student Clubs
    • TrentU Card
  • Research
    • Research at Trent
    • Research Centres
    • Find an Expert
    • Resources
  • Give to Trent
  • About Trent
    • About Trent
    • Careers
    • Giving to Trent
    • Governance
    • How to Find Us
    • Media
    • News & Events
    • President's Office
    • Staff Directory
    • Trent Facts
    • Contact Us
  • Campus Locations
    • Peterborough
    • Durham GTA
    • Online
  • Future Students
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • Trent Forward: COVID-19 Info
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give
  • Map
  • Careers
  • Directions
  • Library
  • Site Map
  • Bookstore

Trent Forward: Learn more about our response to COVID-19.

Skip to main content Home
  • Peterborough
  • Durham GTA
  • Online
  • MyTrent
MENU
Trent University
News and Events
  • Latest News
  • Trent Experts
  • For Media
  • For Faculty and Staff
  • Publications
  • Contact Us
  1. Trentu.ca
  2. News and Events

Caring for the Critters that Call Trent Home

August 19, 2021

Trent’s Animal Care team plays a leading role in advancing science and animal welfare at Trent

Jason Allen, manager of Animal Care at Trent with Ozzy and Goose the alpacas.

From alpacas to amphibians – life in Trent’s Animal Care department can never be described as dull as the team strives to provide the best standard of care for these critters.

“We have staff and students on site seven days a week,” says Jason Allen, manager of Animal Care at Trent. “Although much of the work being done is routine, such as cleaning and feeding, we are constantly adapting to offer a level of care that provides our animals with enrichment and an environment that mimics their natural habitat.”

The broader Trent community is familiar with the department’s two alpacas, Mac and Hollister, who recently retired, but Animal Care is typically home to around 100 mice, 300 rats, and resident Zebra Finches, fish, frogs and salamanders, to name a few.

Building on Trent’s legacy of best practice
Mr. Allen started working part-time in Animal Care as a Biology and Environmental Sciences student, and has been a full-time staff member for 21 years, first as a technician and now as manager. During this time he has seen the ethics and care of animals in science continuously improving through constant evaluation of best practices. With a commitment to providing Trent’s animals with the best possible care and enrichment, the implementation of industry best practice is almost second nature in the Animal Care department, resulting in transparent operations and open communication about their day-to-day activities.

“We are all connected here at Trent, and we want our broader community to be aware of the work we do and feel confident in knowing that animal science is highly regulated,” Mr. Allen says. “Trent University has been a part of the Canadian Council on Animal Care Assessment and Certification program since the organization’s inception in 1968 and also maintains certifications and memberships with the Canadian Association for Lab Animal Science.”

Mr. Allen explains that the Canadian Council on Animal Care Assessment process is quite a comprehensive audit, with preparations taking up to a year. The department is also subject to surprise inspections by the province and inspections by its internal governing body, the Animal Care Committee.

The Animal Care Committee is a stakeholder group comprising staff, faculty, students, technicians, and an external veterinarian, and is responsible for approving all protocols relating to animals used in science at Trent.

“Most of the animal research being conducted at Trent is behaviour-based or fundamental biology research for which alternative research methods are not currently available,” says Mr. Allen, who goes on to give an example of neuroscience research with rats, explaining that the functioning of our brains is so complex that it simply cannot be mimicked by computer modeling.

“Our practices are guided by the three Rs for animals used in science – replacing or avoiding animals in science; reducing the number of animals in science and refining care and procedures to minimize pain and distress.”

Introducing Trent’s new resident alpacas
With Mac and Hollister now enjoying their retirement at Riverview Park & Zoo, two new alpacas, Ozark or “Ozzie” and Goose have joined the Trent community. Like Mac and Hollister, the new pair will be contributing to impactful antibody research conducted in partnership with Talaria Antibodies Inc.

“The new pair will be involved in new antibody research work with Talaria,” says Mr. Allen, stating that the research team has a close bond with these animals. “They frequently requested updates on how Mac and Hollister were doing and we are happy to continue this fantastic research partnership with Talaria and our two new alpacas, Goose and Ozzie.”

The two new alpacas are still a bit shy, and the Animal Care team is working on socializing and training the boys as they continue to adjust to their new home at Trent.

“We plan to take them for walks around campus and welcome visitors to come and meet them when they are in pasture or out for a walk,” says Mr. Allen, reminding the Trent community not to feed the animals and to ask their handlers before approaching.

Interested in updates on the animals in Trent’s care? Follow the Animal Care department on Instagram.

Find other stories about: Biology, Environmental & Life Sciences

You Might Also Like

Trent/Fleming School of Nursing alumna, Monica Mina, is driving change for patients with persistent mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder

Psychedelic Healing for Mental Health

Trent University Lacrosse player #88 in action

Trent University to Host 2022 CUFLA Baggataway Cup Championship Weekend

Nursing Professor Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Nursing Professor Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Trent University logo
Challenge the Way You Think

Trent University respectfully acknowledges it is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.

Peterborough

1600 West Bank Drive
Peterborough, ON Canada, K9L 0G2

Toll Free: 1-855-MY-TRENT

Campus Map

Durham Greater Toronto Area

55 Thornton Road South
Oshawa, ON Canada, L1J 5Y1

Phone: 905-435-5100

Campus Map

Social Media Directory
  • Contact
  • Directions
  • Site Map
  • Accessibility
  • @ Copyright 2022 Trent University