AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving animal welfare in science and education through accreditation and education programs. Earning AAALAC accreditation includes both a thorough internal review and a rigorous external review by an expert site visit team. Because participating in the accreditation program is voluntary, it demonstrates an institution’s commitment to go above and beyond the minimums required.
AAALAC offers the only international accreditation for animal care and use in science and education. AAALAC accredited programs can now be found in 52 countries/regions around the world, representing more than 1,140+ companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other research institutions that are going the extra step to achieve excellence in animal care and use. Today, earning AAALAC accreditation is a sign of quality recognized worldwide. Learn more about our accreditation standards and the accreditation process.
For more than 60 years, AAALAC has worked to bridge advances in both science and research and animal welfare by offering a comprehensive, peer-reviewed accreditation program. AAALAC support the “3Rs” of animal research—replace, reduce, refine—and expects accredited institutions to apply these principles in a manner compatible with their scientific and teaching goals. AAALAC also supports a “Culture of Care,” exemplified by an organizational culture that commits to going beyond simply complying with minimum requirements. A Culture of Care includes promoting the well-being of animals and the people who work with them, an institutional emphasis on excellence in research integrity, quality and reproducibility, and a commitment to transparency. Participating in AAALAC International accreditation encourages institutions to make Culture of Care part of the very fabric of their programs.
AAALAC is dedicated to providing the education and resources institutions need to achieve and maintain the high standards accreditation requires. Each year, AAALAC conducts workshops around the globe, presents at major scientific conferences, and regularly offers free webinars on best practices which are attended by thousands of professionals worldwide.
AAALAC International envisions a world where excellence in animal welfare and science converge.