Abstract
The American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP), like the American Veterinary Medical Association, has a long-term concern for, and commitment to, the welfare, humane treatment, and care of animals. Current scientific knowledge, professional judgment, and ethical, philosophical, and moral values inherent to the veterinary profession provide the basis for these positions. The ACVP recognizes that animals play a central and essential role in research, testing, and education for continued improvement in the health and welfare of human beings and animals. The use of animals is a privilege that carries with it unique professional, scientific, and moral obligations. The ACVP supports the research and development of safe and efficacious drugs, vaccines, chemical compounds, and medical devices that benefit humans and animals through humane and responsible safety testing using scientifically valid principles and procedures.
The ACVP encourages all scientists to offer their time and special expertise to promote animal welfare. This may include the following:
Playing a key role in the development of guidelines and standards that ensure proper stewardship of animals, Providing high quality medical care of animals, and Participating in educational efforts aimed at promoting the well-being of animals.
Animal welfare is a human responsibility that encompasses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, nutrition, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, humane handling, and, when necessary, humane euthanasia.
The concept of animal rights is a philosophical view and personal value characterized by the statements of various animal rights groups. Animal welfare and animal rights are not synonymous terms. The ACVP wholeheartedly endorses and adopts promotion of animal welfare as official policy; however, the ACVP cannot endorse the philosophical views and personal values of animal rights advocates when they are incompatible with the responsible use of animals for human purposes, such as companionship, food, fiber, and research conducted for the benefit of both humans and animals. The ACVP encourages proper stewardship of animals, but defends and promotes the use of animals in meaningful research, testing and educational programs. The ACVP condemns all acts of vandalism against researchers and research facilities.
The ACVP supports research, development, and validation of alternative testing methods that replace animals, reduce the numbers of animals used, and/or refine animal use to minimize pain and/or distress. The ACVP also recognizes that humane care of animals used in research, testing, and education is an integral part of those activities. The ACVP will continue to support animal-based safety assessment and alternative testing methods whenever they are based on sound scientific principles.