Alternatives to using animals in research, testing or teaching This section contains a selection of resources highlighting the alternatives to using animals in research, testing and teaching. It is not yet possible to replace all animal use in research, testing and teaching. The biology of live animals is often too complex to be replicated entirely by alternative methods in research experiments. Non-animal teaching methods (e.g. mannequins or video recordings) can reduce the use of live-animals in teaching but it would not be appropriate for students to graduate with no live-animal experience before moving into careers working with animals. However, alternative or replacement methods complement live-animal use and collectively can reduce live-animal use overall, and the wording "alternative" and "replacement" are used interchangeably. For more information see "Replacement and NAMs – it’s all in the NAMe ". Replacement: Accelerating the development and use of predictive and robust models and tools, based on the latest science and technologies, to replace the use of animals in addressing important research questions where they would have otherwise been used. ANZCCART Resources The Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) and the Ministry for Primary Industries have produced a series of booklets on the application of the three Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) in the use of animals in research and teaching. The following focus on replacement and reduction. Organ-on-a-chip and Organoids ( replacement) (2026) Cell-based Disease Models (replacement) (2019) Computer Assisted Learning (replacement) (2021) Mannequins and Dummies (replacement) (2021) Alternatives to shellfish toxicity testing (replacement) (2018)

ANZCCART Resources ComPass Animal Welfare Training This free online course covers the Australian Code and NZ Guide and welfare issues relating to animal use in research and teaching. Successful completion of Phase one of the course and its quiz fulfills the mandated basic training needs of researchers and teachers using animals as well as members of Animal Ethics Committees (AEC) in Australia and NZ (except AEC members in Victoria who are required to complete the Animal Welfare Victoria training). The aim is to standardize and augment the training offered for animal users in research and teaching throughout Australasia by offering this free online interactive and resource-rich course to all who need this training . For the course link and more information . ANZCCART (NZ) resources and best practice Three Rs Resources The Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Rese arch and Te aching (ANZCCART) and the Ministry for Primary Industries have produced a series of booklet s on the a pplication of the three Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) in the use of animals in research and teaching. Organ-on-a-chip and Organoids (replacement) (2026) Cell-based Disease Models (replacement) (2019) Computer Assisted Learning (replacement) (2021) Mannequins and Dummies (replacement) (2021) Alternatives to shellfish toxicity testing (replacement) (2018) Fireflies to the rescue (reduction) (2019) Mathematical models (reduction) (2022) Tissue sharing (reduction) (2024) Simple ingenuity (refinement) (2019) Non-Invasive Methods (refinement) (2018) Living syringes (refinement) (2018) Oil emulsified gels (refinement) (2022) Other resources Animal research saves lives (2017 ANZCCART publication) What is ANZCCART? (2026 ANZCCART flyer) Download Three Rs poster (2026 ANZCCART resource) (PDF, 6.7 MB, 1 page) ANZCCART (Australia) resources and best practice Publications and information available on the ANZCCART (AU) website on the use of animals in research, testing or teaching: ANZCCART Annual Reports ANZCCART (AU) Awards ANZCCART (AU) Publications ANZCCART (AU) Fact Sheets about animals and technical information ANZCCART (AU) Helpful links on alternatives to the use of animals in research, animal ethics and welfare, environmental enrichment, recognition and alleviation of pain, and statistics ANZCCART (AU) Resources for animal care and housing, school children, school teachers, researchers and university students Newsletters ANZCCART News (Australian website). Y ou can sign up for the ANZCCART Newsletter here .

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Members and Funders Along with Unitec - Dept Natural Sciences. If you would like to become a member of ANZCCART New Zealand, please contact: anzccart@royalsociety.org.nz

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Media Information This page provides information on recent press releases, an image database, and web resources related to the use of animals in research, testing or teaching. Press releases 6 July 2026: 274,985 animals used in research, testing and teaching in New Zealand in 2025, according to new government figures 10 March 2026: Transparency, public access, and Māori partnership surge across animal research in Aotearoa— ANZCCART report 21 January 2026: ANZCCART NZ responds to Ministry for Primary Industries’ release of 2024 statistics on the use of animals in research, testing and teaching 20 March 2025: ANZCCART NZ releases third annual report on Openness Agreement for animal research and teaching 20 March 2025: ANZCCART NZ responds to New Zealand's animal research statistics for 2023 10th September 2024: New animal ethics resources include Māori knowledge 17 May 2024: A good step-up in Three Rs reporting and other positive trends: 2022 New Zealand Animal Research, Testing and Teaching Statistics 8 March 2024: ANZCCART New Zealand releases second annual report on Openness Agreement for animal research and teaching 13 November 2023: New Study Reveals New Zealanders' Views on Animal Use in Scientific Research and Teaching 21 August 2023: A step forward in openness in animal research and teaching but more progress needed in Three Rs reporting: New Zealand's Animal Research Statistics of 2021 30 March 2023: ANZCCART releases first report on Openness Agreement in Animal Research and Teaching 30 May 2022: Openness on use of animals in research testing and teaching statistics 27 July 2021: Science organisations pledge openness in animal research and teaching in New Zealand 1 September 2017: New resources highlight innovative ways to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research Submissions 21 May 2024: Submission to the Science System Advisory Group - First Phase Media coverage 04 February 2026: Decline in high impact on animals from research 'encouraging ' 24 September 2024: Maori knowledge of animals 21 March 2024: Global initiative to make animal research more transparent turns 10 – has it worked? 13 November 2023: Attitudes towards animal testing and research in Aotearoa – Expert Reaction Image database for the use of animals in research, testing or teaching An image database featuring copyright free images of animals suitable for use in stories on animal use in testing, teaching and research is available through the Understanding Animal Use website (UK based). This website also contains a number of resources on the use of animals in research.

General resources Resource links about ANZCCART and animal welfare in New Zealand The following resources about ANZCCART and animal welfare in New Zealand are available: Animal Research Saves Lives (ANZCCART resource) (PDF, 1.8 MB, 14 pages) Animal welfare in NZ (Ministry of Primary Industries) Animals in research, testing, and teaching | NZ Government ANZCCART Annual Report (PDF, 1.5 MB, 46 pages) ANZCCART Newsletters A Culture of Care - A Guide for People Working with Animals in RTT (PDF) SPCA New Zealand The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) website The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) website What is ANZCCART (2026)(ANZCCART resource) (PDF, 428 kb, 1 page) Resources for media Understanding Animal Research (UK website) Animal Welfare Act 1999 (Parliamentary Council Office website) Guide to the Animal Welfare Act (Ministry for Primary Industries website) The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) website The National Animal Welfare Committee (NAWAC) website SPCA New Zealand Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (resource database hosted by Johns Hopkins University) European Animal Research Association Resource links about the use of animals in research, testing or teaching in New Zealand What is ANZCCART? (2026 ANZCCART resource, PDF) National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) website National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) website Animal welfare in NZ (Ministry for Primary Industries) Guide to the Animal Welfare (Ministry for Primary Industries) Animal Research Saves Lives (ANZCCART resource) (PDF, 1.8 MB, 14 pages) Three Rs Poster (2026 ANZCCART resource) (PDF, 6.7 MB, 1 page) ANZCCART Newsletters Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (resource database hosted by Johns Hopkins University) SPCA New Zealand Culture of Care (A NAEAC guide for people working with animals in research, testing and teaching) (PDF, 428 kb, 6 pages) Ethical guidelines for School students (2026 ANZCCART resource) (PDF, 108 kb, 1 page) Ethical guide for Tertiary students in laboratory classes involving the use of animals and animal tissues (2026 ANZCCART resource) (PDF, 1 page) Resources about the Three Rs Download Three Rs Poster (2026 ANZCCART resource) (PDF, 6.7 MB, 1 page) Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing Norecopa resources about the 3Rs Statistical design for animal welfare. We strongly recommend the resources on designing animal experiments provided by Michael Festing . ANZCCART NZ 3Rs publications The Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) have produced a series of booklets on the application of the three Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) in the use of animals in research and teaching. Organ-on-a-chip and Organoids (2026) Cell-based Disease Models (replacement) (2019) Computer Assisted Learning (replacement) (2021) Mannequins and Dummies (replacement) (2021) Alternatives to shellfish toxicity testing (replacement) (2018) Fireflies to the rescue (reduction) (2019) Mathematical models (reduction) (2022) Tissue sharing (reduction) (2024) Simple ingenuity (refinement) (2019) Non-Invasive Methods (refinement) (2018) Living syringes (refinement) (2018) Oil emulsified gels (refinement) (2022) Resource links on alternatives to using animals in research, testing or teaching 9th World congress on alternatives and animal use in the life sciences (conference website) Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (resource database hosted by Johns Hopkins University) Altex, alternatives to animal experimentation (journal website) EU reference laboratory for alternatives to animal testing (EURL ECVAM) European society for alternates to animal testing ICCVAM (US committee advancing alternatives to animal testing) Korean centre for the validation of alternatives to animal testing (KoCVAM) Physicians committee for responsible medicine, alternatives to animal testing Incorporating new approach methodologies in the development of new medicines (NC3Rs) Non animal models - CSIRO a report assessing the potential of non animal models in Australia

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