3Rs - search page

NORINA is an English-language database containing information on over 3,500 audiovisual aids that may be used as alternatives or supplements to the use of animals in education and training, including dissection alternatives, at all levels from Junior School to University.  The information in the database has been collected from 1991 onwards.

Laboratory Animals is an international journal of laboratory animal science and welfare. Laboratory Animals publishes peer-reviewed original papers and reviews on all aspects of the use of animals in biomedical research. The journal promotes improvements in the welfare or well-being of the animals used, it particularly focuses on research that reduces the number of animals used or which replaces animal models with in vitro alternatives.

Laboratory Animals publishes papers dealing with all aspects of the use of animals in biomedical research, including: new animal models; laboratory animal microbiology; clinical case reports; descriptions of new or improved research techniques; reports on the influence of environmental and other variables on research results; descriptions of techniques which offer replacements for in vivo models; and basic data characterizing the haematology, biochemistry or pathology of new or existing animal models. Papers describing work which involves a reduction in the number of animals that need to be used; or which replace animals with in vitro alternatives; or which represent a significant refinement in methodology, leading to improvements in the welfare or wellbeing of the animals used, are especially encouraged.

The Swiss 3R Competence Centre (3RCC) promotes the 3Rs principle (replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experimentation) among the scientific community and the public. To facilitate the development and implementation of effective 3R methods and improve animal welfare it challenges research paradigms and creates innovative alternatives to animal use.

The Classic AVs database complements NORINA by providing information on audiovisual products produced some years ago, using technology which has been surpassed by modern digital techniques. We offer this collection for those who wish to continue to use classic technology.

Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science (JAAWS) is a US journal that publishes articles, commentaries, and brief research reports on methods of experimentation, husbandry and care that demonstrably enhance the welfare of all nonhuman animals.

AALAS is an association of professionals that advances responsible laboratory animal care and use to benefit people and animals.

EU 3Rs databases-The protection and welfare of animals is an area covered by a wide range of EU legislation. This includes the protection of wildlife, zoo animals, farm animals, animals in transport and animals used for scientific purposes. Animal studies, whether for the development or production of new medicines, for physiological studies, for studying environmental effects or for the testing of chemicals or new food additives, has to be carried out in compliance with EU legislation. 

Vaccination of animals against disease protects them from suffering. However, this comes with an animal welfare cost - the safety and efficacy of vaccines is assessed in experimental animals and the tests involved can cause significant pain and distress. There is an ethical dilemma in protecting one set of animals at the expense of others but implementation of the 3Rs can help to resolve this. The research animals department works with researchers involved in vaccine testing and regulators to promote the 3Rs in this important area.

Welcome to the Experimental Design Assistant, a free resource from the NC3Rs to support researchers in the planning of animal experiments - ensuring robust study design and reliable and reproducible findings.

The EDA consists of a web application and a supporting website; benefits include:
•The ability to build a stepwise visual representation of your experiment
•Feedback and advice on your experimental plan 
•Dedicated support for randomisation, blinding and sample size calculation
•Practical information to improve knowledge of experimental design
•Improved transparency of your experimental design, allowing you to share and discuss your plan with colleagues and collaborators

The official journal of the Institute of Animal Technology and of the European Federation of Animal Technologists (EFAT).Animal Technology and Welfare aims to be the medium for animal technologists and all those concerned with the care and welfare of animals used for research purposes to communicate ‘best practice. ATW especially aims to promote and develop the 3Rs particularly in respect of Refinement.

More importantly, ATW promotes the generally accepted ‘4th R’, Responsibility. The responsibility that all animal technologists have in ensuring dissemination of ‘best practice’ to every institution using animals in research. ATW enjoys a unique position as the scientific publication for the leading organisations (IAT and EFAT) for the welfare of animals in research.