The Institute of Animal Technology
Founded in 1950, the IAT is the foremost professional body in the field of Animal Technology.
Our purpose is to advance knowledge and promote excellence in the care and welfare of animals in science and to enhance the standards and status of those professionally engaged in the care, welfare and use of animals in science.
Our members have expertise across all aspects of animal welfare and technology and we actively support the three R's – Refinement, Reduction & Replacement.
We continually strive to advance and promote excellence in technology and the practice of laboratory animal care and welfare through advice, guidance and initiatives such as the IAT Career Pathway.
What is Animal Technology?
Animal technology is a specialist profession responsible for the care and welfare of laboratory animals. It helps develop treatments for diseases, new methods of diagnosis, carries out scientific research - and that’s just for starters. But it’s all about the animals and the UK’s strict welfare standards set our country apart from the rest.
A career in animal technology allows you to work with animals every single day, and also to help progress our understanding of medical conditions and treatments. Animal technologists come from various backgrounds; all you need to start is a love of animals.
Working with Animals
Lots of us want to work with animals. Many people think that being a vet is the best chance of that, but actually there are many other jobs where you can work with animals every day. One of the most rewarding is animal technology.
As an animal technologist you would be responsible for the day-to-day needs of lab animals. You would sometimes also help scientists with experiments involving the animals in your care. If you love animals, have an interest in scientific research and would enjoy working in a laboratory, this could be the career for you.
You’ll be using your written and spoken communication skills to make sure that you work well with the rest of your team and other professionals. You’ll also be using your IT and organisational skills to make sure that you keep accurate records of all of the animals you care for.
Employing Animal Technicians
Employing trained and competent animal technologists is important to ensure that you are complying with UK/EU law and meeting your commitments to high animal welfare standards. That’s why the IAT has developed a career pathway that helps organisations which employ qualified animal technologists to properly train and develop staff.
The IAT's purpose is to advance knowledge and promote excellence in the care and welfare of animals in research and to enhance the standards and status of those professionally engaged in the care, welfare and use of animals in science.