The Laboratory Animals Veterinary Association

The Laboratory Animals Veterinary Association (LAVA) is a non-territorial specialist division of the British Veterinary Association (BVA).

LAVA's members are veterinary surgeons and students from the UK and elsewhere who are interested in laboratory animal medicine and science. Many members act as Named Veterinary Surgeons under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in a full or part time capacity. Vets working in academic, drug discovery, commercial and contract research environments are represented as clinicians or in other aspects of the care and use of animals in biomedical research. LAVA promotes best practice and the dissemination of new technologies through its biannual meetings and other avenues. It represents laboratory animal vets at national and international level when needed for discussions and decision making on laboratory animal law, welfare, ethics, transport, techniques and disease.

The purpose of the association is to -

• Promote the dissemination of information concerning laboratory animals throughout the Veterinary profession by meetings, lectures, discussions and publications as considered appropriate.



• Promote the advancement of veterinary knowledge and skills in subjects connected with the breeding, maintenance of health, welfare and use of laboratory animals; and to encourage study groups and post-graduate courses for these purposes.



• Exchange information and encourage other forms of collaboration between this and other Societies in allied scientific disciplines.