SPCA recognises the internationally accepted ethical principles for the replacement, reduction, or refinement for the use of animals in research, testing, and teaching (the “3 Rs”). While our organisation supports efforts to refine and reduce the use of animals in research and testing, SPCA is committed to and advocates for animals to be replaced in research, testing, and teaching by non-animal alternatives.

SPCA advocates for all children in primary and secondary education to receive animal welfare education to help promote to help promote empathy and respect for all living beings, including other people.

SPCA only supports the keeping of animals for research, testing, and teaching in ways that ensure animals used in research, testing, and teaching have a “Good Life” where they experience positive welfare for the entirety of their life and meet the animals’ physical, health, and behavioural needs.

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

SPCA advocates for greater consistency across AECs for how manipulations are graded, guidance on grading of cumulative impacts, and the sharing of information and experiences.

SPCA advocates for continuous improvements in minimising the negative impacts on animal welfare from research, testing, and teaching activities that have the potential to cause pain and welfare harms.

SPCA supports the inclusion of animal welfare science and ethics of animal use components in all higher education or vocational animal-related, farming, and biological science courses.

SPCA supports the use of genetic technologies to improve the welfare of animals.

SPCA supports continuous improvements in animal management practices and environments to ensure animals used in research, testing, and teaching have a “Good Life” where they experience positive welfare for the entirety of their life and their physical, health, and behavioural needs are met.

SPCA advocates for the creation and use of educational resources that provide humane alternatives to live-surgery practicals, such as the use of ethically sourced cadavers and body parts and computer software and simulations.