Facility Operations
About DLAM's Facility Operations
Certain kinds of questions can be answered only through animal studies.
Like every other major research institution developing treatments and therapies to combat disease, UCLA conducts biomedical research involving animals. Health research institutions depend upon animal-based research because they need to understand complex biology and the impacts of new treatments in living systems that mirror human physiology, development, and disease.
As the veterinary service for health researchers, we believe it is our moral imperative to use the proven and effective research process involving animals to continue making innovative discoveries that positively impact human lives. We believe in animal welfare's “Three R” principles – Reduction, Refinement, and Replacement.
We understand the tremendous responsibility that comes with animal-based research. We conduct studies with animals only when necessary and provide them with outstanding care. Substantial effort is made to ensure that all procedures are continually refined to minimize pain and distress to the animals. In addition, the number of experimental animals is reduced to the minimum necessary. The personnel who provide our animal care consider it a privilege to work with animals and demonstrate this commitment daily by treating them with the utmost care and respect.