6 Culturing care in animal research

Abstract

Empowered staff: Creation of an environment where staff at all levels throughout the organisation are respected, listened to, and feel empowered to come forward with any concerns or suggestions they have to improve animal care.Empowerment of animal welfare oversight committees: Effective and well-supported ethical review of scientific work undertaken with a thoughtful and rational approach. Good communication:Mechanisms to support open communication and collaboration between different research programmes, teams, and staff at all levels.Commitment to openness and honesty about animal use both internally and in the public domain.Commitment to take a culture of care into account when working with those outside the organisation. Mechanisms to ensure that standards at animal suppliers, contracted organisations, couriers, and research partners nationally and internationally are consistent with the good practice that is implemented in-house.