SPCA opposes the patenting of animals where this leads to negative impacts on their welfare.

SPCA advocates for advancements in technology and more open disciplinary attitudes and practices to move away from use of questionable psychological or behavioural tests.

​SPCA advocates for continuous improvement in use of animals in research, testing, and teaching where animal behavioural experiments are used.

SPCA supports science education for students in primary and secondary levels, including an appreciation of animals. Our organisation advocates animals should only be used in primary and secondary science education when the animal’s physical, health, and behavioural needs are met before, during, and after a research or technology study.

SPCA permits the use of SPCA animals in research and teaching if the activity is part of routine animal care or procedure, or if the activity provides a net benefit to that animal and future SPCA animals.

SPCA advocates that breeding, research, teaching, and testing establishments must reduce wastage of animals by national communication, coordination, and improved planning to avoid excessive breeding of animals in surplus to requirements.

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 continuous improvement in the refinement, reduction, and replacement of animals used in testing.

SPCA advocates that all staff who are involved with the care and use of animals in research, testing, or teaching must receive appropriate, rigorous, and ongoing animal handling, husbandry, and welfare training.

SPCA advocates for institutions to participate in multi-institutional commitments to promote transparency in use of animals in research, testing, and teaching.