The third ‘R’, Refinement, is essential to consider for people who are caring for animals used in science and/or carrying out scientific procedures on animals. Animal welfare can be improved by considering refinements to:

• animal care
• how animals are procured
• the techniques used on them

Similarly, refinements to pain management and humane killing can assist in minimizing pain and distress. Implementation of refinements to the care and use of animals is also informed by on-going welfare assessments.

Refinements by Types of Animals

Many refinements are specific to certain types of animals. Information from this site is organized by animal type in the Animal Index.