Animal Welfare Officer

Like any other facility that conducts animal experiments, the FLI needs competent people who are committed to animal welfare (animal welfare officer). This is stipulated by law. This legal requirement for an internal animal welfare officer is unique in Europe and worldwide. Also the tasks and duties of animal welfare officers are defined by law, the main task is the protection of animal welfare.

Animal welfare officers must be veterinarians with specialization in laboratory animal science. Further fundamental conditions for the work of the animal welfare officer is, that they may not be disadvantaged by any activity in the institution, in addition they are independent and autonomous.

The main tasks of the Animal Welfare Officer at the FLI are:

• Ensure compliance with animal welfare and legal requirements
• Work towards the implementation of the 3R concept
• Advise scientists regarding planning, implementation and documentation of animal experiments
• Communication with the authorities
• Inspection of laboratory animal husbandry, animal experiments and documentation
• Leading the Animal Welfare Committee
• Support of the training of scientists, scientific staff and animal caretakers.