SPCA advocates for the use of humane alternatives to animals for classroom dissection.

SPCA advocates for educational institutions to support educators who seek alternatives to animal cadavers to meet student learning outcomes, especially when empirical evidence demonstrates better or equivalent learning outcomes with non-animal alternatives.

SPCA opposes the dissection of vertebrate and invertebrate animals in educational settings, unless it is essential for gaining an understanding of the content of the course, and then only if no other viable alternatives are available. Cadavers and body parts from animals that were not bred or killed for dissection (i.e., ethically sourced) should be used instead of animals bred, reared, and killed for the purpose of dissection in educational settings.

Our organisation welcomes the development and use of educational resources that provide humane alternatives to dissection, such as computer software, 3-D models, and video to teach anatomy and complex biological processes.

Students should not be required to perform or watch animal dissections to achieve learning outcomes. Non-animal alternatives should be provided to allow students to meet course requirements. Students who withdraw from watching or participating in animal dissections should not be penalised. SPCA supports policy where students opt in rather than opt out for dissections that use animal cadavers.