Animal Welfare at the DPZ

All persons involved in animal experiments or otherwise entrusted with the animals of the DPZ have the duty to care for the welfare and avoid any unnecessary suffering of the animals. The decisive condition is their expert knowledge as well as their declared willingness to assume responsibility towards the experimental and breeding animals and to respect, protect and care for them. The employees of the DPZ are aware that they have a role model function due to the role of the DPZ as a competence and reference center.

1. watch the compliance with regulations, conditions and requirements on behalf of animal welfare,
2. advise the facility and the persons concerned with animal experiments and husbandry,
3. comment on any application for approval of an animal experiment,
4. work internally towards the development and introduction of procedures and means for the prevention and limitation of animal experiments (reduction, refinement, replacement).

All employees of the DPZ are encouraged to articulate concerns or questions about the handling of animals at the DPZ. Possible contact persons are superiors, persons responsible for animal experiments, animal welfare officers or the management. However, the DPZ has also appointed an external ombudsperson for the topic of animal welfare. If conflicts, concerns, questions or problems arise that cannot be resolved within the DPZ, all employees can contact this ombudsperson confidentially and in confidence. Contact details can be found on the DPZ internal website.