SPCA is concerned with the systemic tolerance of questionable or antiquated psychological and behavioural tests which may be chosen PIs, or which may be required or accepted by grant review committees and journal peer reviewers. Where experiments are carried out to investigate human behaviour or produce results for human application, our organisation advocates that methods should be used that achieve these aims that avoid causing pain and suffering to animals.

SPCA advocates for the development and use of research paradigms that use positive reinforcement in lieu of reliance on aversive stimuli for psychological ad behavioural manipulations.

SPCA opposes the use of animals in research, testing, and teaching where harms from psychological and behavioural experiments are not minimised.

SPCA opposes the use of animals in research, testing, and teaching where they experience unmitigated states of pain, fear, and distress.