Welfare Science

Cat Welfare Lab Animal Research

Cats in laboratory research deserve strong welfare protections. Understanding how 3Rs principles apply to feline research enables effective advocacy.

Key Facts

Approximately 17,000 cats were used in UK research in 2022
Cats are primarily used in nutrition, neuroscience, and infection research
The 3Rs (Replace, Reduce, Refine) framework requires minimizing cat use and suffering
Severity limits classify procedures by their welfare impact
UK Home Office licences all research using cats and inspects regularly

Welfare Considerations

Cats used in biomedical research may experience varying levels of welfare impact depending on the nature of procedures and housing conditions. The 3Rs framework requires active effort to minimize both the number of cats used and the suffering experienced by those used in necessary research. Welfare-positive laboratory management that provides social housing, environmental complexity, and positive human interaction minimizes the welfare cost of necessary research.

What You Can Do

Support 3Rs research that develops alternatives to animal research
Advocate for strong welfare standards in research animal licensing
Support organizations monitoring and reporting on laboratory animal welfare
Learn about the application of the 3Rs framework to feline research