Charles River is committed to the humane care of the research animals produced and used in all of our activities. Our Humane Care Initiative supports this core value. This commitment extends not just to mere compliance with applicable local laws and regulations, but to going beyond compliance.
The goal of the Humane Care Initiative is to ensure that Charles River continues as a worldwide leader in the humane care of laboratory animals. Laboratory animals are an important resource that furthers our knowledge of living systems and contributes to the discovery of life-saving drugs and procedures. At Charles River, we work hand-in-hand with the scientific community to understand how living conditions, handling procedures, and stress play an important role in the quality and efficiency of research. As animal caregivers and researchers, we are responsible to our clients and the public for the health and well-being of the animals in our care.
The Humane Care Initiative is directed by our Animal Welfare and Training group. This group consists of professionals committed to animal welfare and trained in laboratory animal medicine and science, training, and ethics.
Our Humane Care Initiative components include:
