ABSTRACT
Animal use in research has contributed significantly to advances in science and medicine, and the role of laboratory animal professionals in this process is pivotal. While it is desirable to use alternatives to live animals for this process, the use of animals continues to be necessary to protect human and animal health and the environment. A commitment to animal welfare starts with the institutional leadership. Leaders of programs in which animals are used must be able to articulate the commitment to animal welfare and be able to discuss it with both internal and external stakeholders. In addition to a succinct institutional value statement, how an institution embraces the importance of animal-based research, embodies a commitment to compassion and respect, and shares this both within the organization and outside the organization also defines its culture of care. A strong culture of care supports the humane care of animals, which in turn supports quality research, compliance with regulatory requirements, etc.
