Species & Model Selection

Selection of species and animal model to use can contribute to refinement of scientific animal use.

To implement refinements when selecting an experimental animal model ensure that:

• the research facility is able to properly house and care for the species selected, including accommodation of the behavioural and companionship needs
• welfare assessments of the species can be made, including knowledge of pain and pain management in the species
• purpose-bred animals are used rather than wild caught

For more information on species and model selection click here.

This section has been adapted from the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).