History
(Click here for the long version of the history of AAALAC.)
Mission
AAALAC International promotes the responsible treatment of animals in science through a voluntary accreditation program. For more than 40 years, the scientific community has actively—and voluntarily—participated in AAALAC's program. Participating institutions receive an independent, unbiased expert assessment, and those that meet or exceed applicable standards are awarded accreditation.
Beginnings...
The program started in 1965, when leading veterinarians and researchers organized the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), as a private, nonprofit organization. In the years that followed, AAALAC accredited hundreds of organizations across the United States, raising the benchmark for laboratory animal care to new heights.
Adoption in other countries
In 1996, AAALAC changed its name to the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC International). The name change reflects the organization's growth in other countries, and its commitment to enhancing life sciences and quality animal care around the world.
Today, more than 770 organizations worldwide are accredited by AAALAC International, including Stanford University, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, GlaxoSmithKline, sanofi-aventis, and the National Institutes of Health.
AAALAC Member Organizations
In addition, more than 60 prestigious scientific, educational and other professional organizations are members of AAALAC International and are represented on the Board of Trustees. These "Member Organizations" include the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Participation on the AAALAC International Board demonstrates their members' commitment to the responsible and humane use of animals in science.
The Council on Accreditation
The Board appoints AAALAC's Council on Accreditation, the group responsible for evaluating animal programs and determining their accreditation status. Members of the Council are chosen to serve based on their extensive experience in the fields of veterinary medicine, laboratory animal science or animal research, and their commitment to humane animal care and use. The Council is divided into North American and European Sections.
Ad hoc consultants
The Council conducts on-site visits and extensive evaluations, and provides ongoing advice to help organizations achieve and maintain accreditation. The Council also appoints a pool of ad hoc consultants. These consultants assist the Council members with their evaluations and provide expertise in specific areas, such as management, international regulations, or certain scientific specialties.
Adhering to the "Guide"
Along with meeting all applicable local and national regulations, AAALAC accredited institutions must also demonstrate that they are achieving the standards outlined in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Research Council, 1996). The standards in the Guide go above and beyond what is required by law.
The value of accreditation
Institutions choose to participate in the AAALAC accreditation program for a variety of reasons. Some use accreditation as a symbol of quality—it shows that an institution is serious about setting, achieving and maintaining high standards for animal research programs. AAALAC accreditation also promotes scientific validity—when research involves animals, reliable results depend on healthy animals and superior animal care. And perhaps most importantly, accreditation demonstrates a willingness to go above and beyond the minimums required by law, and assures the public that the institution is committed to the responsible use and treatment of animals in science.
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