Orsi Academy

Orsi receives AAALAC International accreditation for high-quality animal care

Orsi receives AAALAC International accreditation for high-quality animal care
 

In 2020, our veterinarians engaged themselves in the rigorous assessment of Orsi's animal care that ultimately resulted in even more improved animal welfare and the official AAALAC International accreditation as cherry on top.

We are proud that our animal care program has earned accreditation through AAALAC International. With the accreditation, Orsi Academy, and in particular our animal care team, demonstrate their commitment to responsible animal care and use and good science.

Orsi's veterinarians Eva Vanderstraeten & Marieke François speaking.

What AAALAC International said about Orsi Academy

  • Culture of care
  • Amazed by state-of-the-art equipment and facility
  • Advanced animal welfare
  • Open communication
  • Eager to learn more and to improve
  • Strong implementation of the 3 R's
AAALAC Seal

What it means

"Our program and animal care has been carefully evaluated by a council of highly respected, expert animal care and research professionals who determined that we qualify for AAALAC International accreditation. We learned a lot during the accreditation process and the AAALAC site visit. It made us reflect and strengthen certain procedures, which results in improved animal welfare and therefore better research practices and outcomes", concludes Marieke, veterinarian at Orsi Academy.

AAALAC International offers the only international accreditation for animal care and use programs, and it has become recognized around the world as a sign of quality and good science.

Why it matters

"It is my personal mission to constantly improve the welfare of our laboratory animals. Ethics, care and compliance in working with animals is extremely valuable for our animal care team", Eva continues. "We all care deeply about the quality of our research and training programs and the welfare of the animals that enable us to conduct it. Participating in the AAALAC International accreditation program demonstrates that our institution is serious about setting, achieving and maintaining high standards for animal care and use and that we are committed to animal welfare and good science."

Taking part in the accreditation process is completely voluntary. Orsi has chosen to meet standards that go above and beyond the animal research regulations required by law.

"We work hard to continue to educate the members of our animal care team!"

9 reasons why AAALAC is important

It represents quality. It shows that we are serious about animal care and use and committed to animal welfare in science.

It promotes the scientific validity of our training programs. Reliable scientific results depend on superior animal care.

It boosts our position and provides assurance in the global marketplace. The seal of AAALAC is a way to measure the quality of a program or animal care and provides assurance to our partners and customers.

It is a recruiting tool to attract the best & brightest researchers and professionals. It assures (potential) employees that Orsi Academy is dedicated to achieving the highest standards for animal care and use.

It demonstrates accountability. The accreditation process is voluntary and shows our willingness to go above and beyond the minimums required by law.

It advances animal welfare and promotes the 3 R's. Solid implementation of Reduce, Refine and Replace at Orsi Academy.

It provides a confidential peer-review. After a self-evaluation, we welcomed AAALAC representatives for an in-depth, confidential on-site evaluation. An extremely valuable assessment.

It stimulates continuous improvement. We commit to a process of continuous improvement.

It instils a sense of pride and teamwork among our animal care team. It is a great achievement and was a valuable team building experience for the entire team.

What is AAALAC

AAALAC International is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through a voluntary accreditation program, a program status evaluation service, and educational programs.

AAALAC International offers the only international accreditation for animal care and use programs, and it has become recognized around the world as a sign of quality and good science.