Community Overview

The Animals@OP committee reviews all activities involving the use of animals at Otago Polytechnic to make sure we comply with animal welfare laws as well as the Polytechnic’s policies and guidelines. The committee provides support and guidance to groups and individuals who wish to use animals in teaching, research, and events, making sure that the highest ethical standards are maintained. 

Why is This Needed at OP?

All staff and students at Otago Polytechnic must get permission to use animals for research, teaching, or any other activity involving animals on campus (with the exception of service dogs/animals). This is to make sure high standards of ethical animal use and welfare are always followed.

Under the Animal Welfare Act (1999), animal use in research and teaching is strictly controlled by guidelines and legislation. You can read a simple explanation of the Animal Welfare Act on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.

Otago Polytechnic has programmes that involve animals for students to learn practical skills in animal healthcare and pet grooming. Occasionally, animals are also used for research projects. For all research and teaching activities using animals, proposals have an initial consultation with the Animals@OP committee before seeking ethical approval from an animal ethics committee approved by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Some activities involving animals fall outside of research and teaching but are still part of the academic environment, including wellness events like the K9 Cuddle Fix. For these activities, proposals go through a consultation with the Animals@OP committee to make sure that policies are guidelines are followed. 

Dogs on Campus Policy

Sorry, students and visitors are not permitted to bring dogs (or other pets) to any Otago Polytechnic campuses or activities, unless for an approved activity as outlined above. 

Service dogs are an exception to this policy. You can read more about service dogs at Companion Animals NZ.

Check out the Dogs on Campus policy for more details about pets on campus.