The Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS), a

not-for-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

membership association was formed in 1962. CALAS has 900 members, being veterinarians, physicians, researchers, administrators and technicians. The national office is located in Toronto, Ontario.

Annual symposium

Each spring since 1962, CALAS has held a national Symposium. The CALAS Symposium is a networking and educational event for the laboratory animal science community in Canada. It brings members and non-members together for four days of knowledge building

workshops Beginning with the Industrial Revolution era, a workshop may be a room, rooms or building which provides both the area and tools (or machinery) that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods. Workshops were the only ...

, discussions, demonstrations and networking. Eleven professional and technical

awards An award, sometimes called a distinction, is something given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration. An award ...

for recognition in the field of laboratory animal science are presented each year at the symposium. The symposium is the only laboratory animal

conference A conference is a meeting of two or more experts to discuss and exchange opinions or new information about a particular topic. Conferences can be used as a form of group decision-making, although discussion, not always decisions, are the main p ...

held each year in Canada and attracts more than 400 members from the industry.

Publications

The ''Member's Magazine'' serves as an official communication tool for CALAS. The magazine, published bi-monthly, includes referred

articles Article often refers to: * Article (grammar), a grammatical element used to indicate definiteness or indefiniteness * Article (publishing), a piece of nonfictional prose that is an independent part of a publication Article may also refer to: G ...

case studies A case study is an in-depth, detailed examination of a particular case (or cases) within a real-world context. For example, case studies in medicine may focus on an individual patient or ailment; case studies in business might cover a particular fi ...

and association news. The CALAS Member's Magazine is sent to all members, targeting individuals involved in research utilizing animals, which includes pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, universities and more. The magazine also reaches teaching institutions where students are pursuing animal-related careers, such as

Veterinary Science Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, management, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, disorder, and injury in animals. Along with this, it deals with animal rearing, husbandry, breeding, research on nutri ...

and Animal Health Technology. The content of the magazine is varied to satisfy the animal care assistant, animal/veterinary technician, scientist, veterinarian and administrative personnel.

Membership

There are several types of CALAS memberships available. Non-Registered Membership Types do not require specific

qualifications Qualification is either the process of qualifying for an achievement, or a credential attesting to that achievement, and may refer to: * Professional qualification, attributes developed by obtaining academic degrees or through professional exper ...

and are open to all those interested in the animal laboratory sciences industry.

Institutional membership

Membership for institutions wishing to participate in efforts to improve the scientific quality of

animal research Animal testing, also known as animal experimentation, animal research, and ''in vivo'' testing, is the use of non-human animals in experiments that seek to control the variables that affect the behavior or biological system under study. This ...

and educational standards of animal care personnel. Institutional Membership includes two National membership cards for named representatives.

National membership

National Association Membership for individuals

Student membership

Membership at a reduced rate for students enrolled in a recognized

educational institution An educational institution is a place where people of different ages gain an education, including preschools, childcare, primary-elementary schools, secondary-high schools, and universities. They provide a large variety of learning environments an ...

. The CALAS Registry Committee certifies

technicians A technician is a worker in a field of technology who is proficient in the relevant skill and technique, with a relatively practical understanding of the theoretical principles. Specialisation The term technician covers many different speciali ...

to ensure quality care possible for laboratory animals. The

certification Certification is the provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements. It is the formal attestation or confirmation of certain characteristics of a ...

process includes a written exam and an oral exam, based on study guides and reference materials provided to eligible applicants.

Registered Technicians

A Registered Laboratory Animal Technician has an animal science education, training in the care and use of laboratory animals and on the job practical experience. Associate Registered Laboratory Animal Technician These individuals have several years of experience in the field and an interest in continuing their education. An ARLAT is trained for the care and use of laboratory animals. Registered Laboratory Animal Technician The Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (RLAT) and Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (Research) (RLAT(R)) are equivalent designations. The designations represent two streams rather than levels. The RLAT is employed by an animal facility, they have an animal science education, training in the care and use of laboratory animals and on the job practical experience. Continued development of this expertise enables him/her to obtain the knowledge base and practical competency required to meet the high standards set by the CALAS Registry examinations RLAT(R): Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (Research) The RLAT(R) typically works for one researcher as opposed to being employed by an animal facility. This person is very focused in one area of research and usually works with only one or two species of animals. The person has in depth knowledge about their research project and the animal species they are working with. Their knowledge includes understanding how

animal husbandry Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture concerned with animals that are raised for meat, fibre, milk, or other products. It includes day-to-day care, selective breeding, and the raising of livestock. Husbandry has a long history, starti ...

, the

environment Environment most often refers to: __NOTOC__ * Natural environment, all living and non-living things occurring naturally * Biophysical environment, the physical and biological factors along with their chemical interactions that affect an organism or ...

, and the operation of an animal facility affect their research. RMLAT: Registered Master Laboratory Animal Technician The Master's achievement is the highest level of Registration. Successful candidates possess a knowledge of most laboratory animal species, their care, management and use in research. Typically RMLAT's are in supervisory positions or are candidates for such positions. They are able to compile facts, analyze the consequences of different approaches to any given animal research related problem and apply their knowledge in problem-solving and decision-making situations. RMLAT(R): Registered Master Laboratory Animal Technician (Research) The background is similar to the RMLAT Registration but is applied to those individuals who have been involved primarily with specific laboratory animal species and projects. The individual has a laboratory animal science knowledge base enabling them to be a major contributor to a successful research program. They will be well versed in the

anatomy Anatomy () is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organisms and their parts. Anatomy is a branch of natural science that deals with the structural organization of living things. It is an old science, having its ...

physiology Physiology (; ) is the scientific study of functions and mechanisms in a living system. As a sub-discipline of biology, physiology focuses on how organisms, organ systems, individual organs, cells, and biomolecules carry out the chemical ...

diseases A disease is a particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism, and that is not immediately due to any external injury. Diseases are often known to be medical conditions that ar ...

and needs of the animal species they work with.

Continuing education

Registered members must earn 10 continuing education (CE) credits per calendar year. CALAS continuing education credits are based on CALAS events. CALAS encourages education from other associations such as LAMA, CAAHTT, AALAS, etc.

References

* CALAS (http://www.calas-acsal.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1) * Member's Magazine (http://www.calas-acsal.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=55) * Symposium (http://calas-acsal.org/symposium/) * Membership (http://www.calas-acsal.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=36) * Technician (http://www.calas-acsal.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=50) {{DEFAULTSORT:Canadian Association For Laboratory Animal Science Medical associations based in Canada Veterinary medicine-related professional associations Veterinary medicine in Canada