About PAWS
The Program of Animal Welfare and Science (PAWS) — a collaborative effort between the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the University Attending Veterinarian — ensures NC State’s animal research and teaching is conducted in a manner that's ethical, compliant and consistent with the highest standards of integrity.
Our Mission
We promote animal welfare, ensure quality animal care and foster compliance by facilitating the efforts of NC State’s scientists and instructors who utilize the animal model in research, education and other scholarly pursuits.
Our Values
- Accountability: We believe society is best-served when the public trusts that animal research and teaching is conducted ethically; the methods used to obtain research results involve responsible scientific investigation, consideration of alternatives, and appropriate mitigation of pain and distress; and the results are shared in a manner that benefits all.
- Integrity: We believe research should be conducted with the highest standards of integrity. It’s not sufficient to merely comply with rules and regulations; those engaged in animal research and teaching should constantly strive to do the right thing — and seek guidance when they’re unsure what that is.
- Expertise: We maintain subject matter expertise not only to empower and facilitate the judicious review of animal use in teaching and research, but also to engage in animal science research that aims to refine how we use animals in teaching or research — and further improve the welfare of the animals under our care.
- Collaboration: We believe that world-class animal and veterinary science programs within an integrated institutional framework facilitates innovative research and improves the quality of life both for animals under our care and the rest of our world.
- Flexibility: We believe that animal welfare is best achieved by providing a strong framework that allows for flexibility to meet the many different needs of researchers and instructors — while maintaining high ethical standards and regulatory compliance in animal care and use.
- Education: We value education and training for all involved in animal activities, and we provide institutional outreach to build public understanding of and appreciation for necessary and humane animal research and teaching.
The Three Rs
Animal subjects must be treated humanely, and each person who works with them should strive to promote and protect their welfare through ethical treatment. Remember the Three Rs — Reduction, Replacement and Refinement.