by Jessica | Sep 20, 2024 | Uncategorized
On 11 September, the 2023 statistics on animal research in the UK were released. We are encouraged by the continued decline in the number of animals experiencing ‘severe’ suffering. This represents significant progress since 2014 towards our goal of ending severe...
by Jessica | Aug 22, 2024 | Uncategorized
Cancer research represents one of the highest uses of animals across both basic and translational research. In basic research, oncology ranks as the third highest sub-category for causing ‘severe’ animal suffering, while in translational research, human...
by Jessica | Aug 6, 2024 | Uncategorized
On July 19, 2024, the European Commission released the most recent statistics on the use of animals in research and testing in the EU and Norway for the years 2021 and 2022. These statistics play a vital role in the RSPCA’s ‘Focus on Severe Suffering’ initiative,...
by Jessica | Jun 26, 2024 | Uncategorized
Caring, empathetic staff play an essential role in reducing lab animal suffering and improving welfare. However, the emotional toll on staff, including animal technologists, veterinarians and scientists, can be significant – especially when animals suffer...
by Jessica | Apr 16, 2024 | Uncategorized
On 20-21 November 2024, the RSPCA will hold an international meeting in France on ‘refining animal research with a focus on severe suffering’. Building on the success of previous meetings held in Brussels, Berlin, Athens, Stockholm and Leiden, the meeting will be the...
by Jessica | Apr 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
Reducing severe suffering in animal research involves a series of steps which are outlined in our ‘Roadmap’. A key objective is to identify and reduce ‘cumulative suffering’ by reviewing both procedure-related and non-procedure-related experiences throughout an...
by Jessica | Feb 26, 2024 | Uncategorized
Botulinum toxin (Bt) is a neurotoxin which induces muscle paralysis by blocking neurotransmitters. Bt is used for treating medical conditions (such as migraines and lazy eye), and in cosmetic procedures to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The manufacture of Bt...
by Jessica | Nov 9, 2023 | Uncategorized
The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) publishes an annual report on the number of animals used in Canada for the purposes of research, teaching, and testing at CCAC member institutions. Canada employs a system of five ‘categories of invasiveness’ ranging from A...
by Jessica | Jul 19, 2023 | Uncategorized
There has been a significant decline in the number of laboratory animals experiencing ‘severe’ suffering in the UK. Since 2014, there has been a remarkable 61% reduction in experimental procedures causing ‘severe’ suffering. The 2022 statistics continue to...
by Jessica | Jun 22, 2023 | Uncategorized
On April 4, 2023, the European Commission released the latest statistics on the use of animals in research and testing in the EU and Norway in 2020. The UK is no longer included in the statistics since withdrawing from the EU, so the statistics from previous years...
by Jessica | Jun 21, 2023 | Uncategorized
We are delighted to announce that our Roadmap to reduce severe suffering is now available in Dutch. Thank you to the National Animal Testing Policy Advisory Committee for providing the translations. Our Roadmap is still available in English. We are eager for more...
by Penny Hawkins | Mar 17, 2023 | Uncategorized
Our 5th RSPCA international meeting will include the usual popular combination of case studies and opportunities for discussion and networking, with a special focus on cumulative severity. This 1.5 day, face to face meeting will be held in Leiden, The Netherlands, in...
