The 3Rs - Replace, Reduce, Refine - provide a framework for improving laboratory animal welfare, with significant progress achieved in refinement and reduction over recent decades.
The 3Rs framework has driven genuine welfare improvements in laboratory animal research. Refinement has been particularly successful - modern anaesthesia, analgesia protocols, and enriched housing significantly reduce suffering compared to 50 years ago. Replacement remains a long-term goal for many procedures. Researchers, institutions, and funders all play roles in accelerating 3Rs implementation. Transparency about animal use supports public trust and continued improvement.