South African Association for Laboratory Animal Science

The South African Association for Laboratory Animal Science (SAALAS) is a non-profit organisation serving South African scientists involved in the breeding, husbandry and welfare of laboratory animals, and also those individuals at secondary schools, tertiary educational institutions and state and privately owned research institutions using laboratory animals for teaching, research, the production of products and the testing thereof.

It is the objective of SAALAS to:

• Promote the advancement of laboratory animal science for the benefit of both animals and man,
• Encourage and facilitate the exchange of scientific information in all fields of laboratory animal science,
• Foster co-operation between investigators and laboratory animal personnel for their mutual benefit,
• Actively promote education and training in laboratory animal science and technology and establish
  recognised Standards of proficiency for laboratory animal personnel,

• Establish standards for laboratory animal facilities and for animal care,
• Establish guidelines for humane and ethical use of animals for teaching and research, and
• Co-operate with other organisations concerned with laboratory animal science, technology and animal welfare.

SAALAS is a scientific member of the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS). The latter organisation was established, on the invitation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Council for International Organisations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) and the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS), as an international non-governmental organisation to promote high standards of laboratory animal quality, health care and use. There also exists an official interaction between ICLAS and the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Veterinary Association (WVA).