About Lava
Establishing a Professional Association for Laboratory Animal Veterinarians
A Global Model for Professional Representation and Veterinary Specialization
Around the world, laboratory animal medicine has developed as a distinct veterinary profession, supported by dedicated veterinary associations, professional colleges, and specialty organizations. These organizations operate alongside broader laboratory animal science associations and contribute to the advancement of animal health, welfare, veterinary care, and scientific excellence.
This complementary structure reflects an important distinction: laboratory animal science is inherently multidisciplinary, whereas laboratory animal medicine is a specialized veterinary profession requiring dedicated professional representation, education, training, and career development.
A Common Global Model
International experience demonstrates that this complementary organizational model is well established across different regions.
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United States: The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) serves the broader laboratory animal science community, while the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) provides a dedicated professional and specialty framework for laboratory animal veterinarians.
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United Kingdom: The Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA) represents the wider laboratory animal community, while the Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association (LAVA) focuses specifically on laboratory animal veterinarians.
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Canada: The Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS) serves the broader laboratory animal community, complemented by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Medicine (CALAM), which represents laboratory animal veterinarians.
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Japan: The Japanese Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JALAS) supports the broader laboratory animal science community, while the Japanese College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (JCLAM) provides a dedicated veterinary specialty structure.
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Europe: The Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) represents laboratory animal science associations, while the European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ECLAM) focuses on veterinary specialization in laboratory animal medicine.
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South Korea: The Korean Association for Laboratory Animal Science (KALAS) serves the broader laboratory animal science community, alongside the Korean College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (KCLAM), which focuses on laboratory animal medicine.
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China: CALAS and CCLAM similarly demonstrate the distinction between the broader laboratory animal science community and veterinary specialization in laboratory animal medicine.
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Taiwan: The Chinese Society of Laboratory Animal Sciences (CSLAS) operates alongside the Taiwan College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (TCLAM), representing the veterinary laboratory animal medicine pathway.
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Philippines: The Philippine Association for Laboratory Animal Science (PALAS) serves the broader laboratory animal community, while the Philippine College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (PCLAM) represents the professional field of laboratory animal medicine.
Together, these examples demonstrate that dedicated veterinary representation can coexist effectively with broader laboratory animal science organizations, with each serving distinct but complementary professional purposes.
Complementary, Not Competitive
The existence of dedicated veterinary organizations alongside broader laboratory animal associations reflects a fundamental principle:
Laboratory animal science is multidisciplinary, while laboratory animal medicine is a specialized veterinary profession.
A dedicated association for laboratory animal veterinarians is therefore not intended to replace, duplicate, or compete with existing laboratory animal science organizations. Rather, it provides a professional home specifically for veterinarians whose expertise and responsibilities center on laboratory animal medicine.
Such an organization can work collaboratively with scientists, researchers, animal care and use professionals, veterinary technicians, animal technologists, institutional leaders, regulators, and other stakeholders involved in laboratory animal care and research.
This complementary approach strengthens the entire laboratory animal community by ensuring that the veterinary perspective is appropriately represented while maintaining close interdisciplinary collaboration.
Purpose of the Proposed Association
The proposed association is envisioned as a dedicated professional platform for laboratory animal veterinarians, with the following objectives:
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Advance laboratory animal medicine as a recognized veterinary specialty and promote its professional development.
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Promote the highest standards of animal health, welfare, and veterinary care within laboratory animal facilities and research environments.
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Support continuing veterinary education and professional development through structured educational programs, scientific meetings, workshops, and other learning opportunities.
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Facilitate knowledge exchange, research, and clinical collaboration among laboratory animal veterinarians and allied professionals.
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Provide mentorship and career development opportunities for veterinarians entering or progressing within the field of laboratory animal medicine.
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Promote the responsible application of the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—as an integral component of contemporary laboratory animal medicine and research.
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Build national and international professional networks that facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices.
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Represent the professional interests, expertise, and contributions of laboratory animal veterinarians in relevant professional, scientific, regulatory, and institutional forums.
Our Professional Position
The proposed association is not another laboratory animal science association.
It is a dedicated professional association for veterinarians working in laboratory animal medicine, established to provide focused professional representation, veterinary education, specialty development, mentorship, collaboration, and advocacy.
Its role is intended to be complementary to, rather than competitive with, existing laboratory animal science organizations. By working in partnership with these organizations and with all disciplines involved in laboratory animal care and research, the association can contribute to a stronger, more coordinated, and professionally mature laboratory animal community.
Conclusion
The international experience provides a strong precedent for this model. Across North America, Europe, and Asia, broader laboratory animal science organizations coexist with dedicated veterinary associations, colleges, and specialty bodies serving laboratory animal veterinarians.
This established complementary structure recognizes that laboratory animal medicine represents a distinct area of veterinary expertise, with specialized responsibilities relating to animal health, welfare, clinical care, preventive medicine, biosecurity, research support, and the ethical and responsible use of animals in science.
The establishment of a dedicated professional association would therefore represent an important step toward strengthening the identity, recognition, education, professional development, and collective voice of laboratory animal veterinarians, while simultaneously contributing to the advancement of the wider laboratory animal science and research community.
Our vision is not to create another organization within the laboratory animal field, but to establish a professional home for laboratory animal veterinarians—one that complements existing organizations, promotes excellence in veterinary practice, and advances laboratory animal medicine as a distinct and respected professional discipline.