Implementation of the 3Rs is a legal requirement for the use of animals in research, testing, and teaching in New Zealand. SPCA recognises efforts to improve the 3Rs such as the inclusion of a fourth R of ‘respect’ and the inclusion of scientific values of robustness, registration, and reporting.

SPCA is committed to and advocates for animals to be replaced with non-animal alternatives in research, testing, and teaching.

SPCA advocates for the replacement of animals in research, testing, and teaching with non-animal alternatives including cell, tissue, and organ cultures, human tissue or human volunteers, or cadavers and body parts from animals that were not bred or killed for dissection (i.e., ethically sourced). Additional reliable non-animal alternatives include interactive computer-assisted learning technologies, computer modelling, and 3-D models such as mannequins.

SPCA supports the reduction of the number of animals used in research, testing, and teaching through robust scientific analysis, collaboration across research and regulatory sectors, and increased scrutiny of research design.

Reduction of animal use can be achieved through the use of robust scientific design of protocols, mathematical models, sound statistical approaches such as power analyses, a thorough review of the literature to support sample size calculations and identify related studies, pilot studies where needed, and data sharing.

Our organisation supports the publishing of all research results, including negative or inconclusive findings, to minimise unnecessary replication of experiments. SPCA supports efforts to improve the regulatory review processes so that international regulators are considered a trusted source of information, therefore, reducing the requirements to replicate the use of animals in research and testing for regulatory approval processes.

SPCA advocates for procedural and environmental refinement to minimise welfare harms and promote the positive welfare of animals used in research, testing, and teaching.

Refinement is essential for improving laboratory animal welfare whilst they are used. Refinement should address the physical, social, and mental needs of animals. Refinement includes the use of anaesthesia and analgesia, minimising negative states such as fear, hunger, boredom, social isolation, and other forms of distress; use of low-stress, force-free handling and positive reinforcement training for voluntary participation in interactions; and promoting positive welfare through use of enrichment, appropriate social groupings, species-specific housing that promotes natural behaviours, and positive interactions with human staff (e.g., play sessions, rat tickling, grooming).

SPCA advocates for increased funding, institutional support, and public acknowledgement of efforts to promote the 3Rs for animals used in research, testing, and teaching.

SPCA advocates for increased funding towards research and technological advancement of the principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement for animals used in research, testing, and teaching.

SPCA advocates for greater institutionalisation of the principles of the 3Rs with dedicated 3Rs staff to provide support to personnel, consistent and targeted 3Rs training of personnel involved in the use of animals in research, testing, and teaching, and continuing education of the principles of the 3Rs.