AWIC

Animal Welfare Act and Regulations

Animal Welfare Information Center
United States Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
National Agricultural Library


Animal Welfare Act as Amended (7 USC, 2131-2156)
The complete Animal Welfare Act including all amendments (1970, 1976, 1985, 1990) following the 1966 enactment. This version is current through 1996 and can be found in United States Code, Title 7, Sections 2131 to 2156. [Full Text]

Public Law 89-544 Act of August 24, 1966
Enacted August 24, 1966, Public Law 89-544 is what commonly is referred to as The Animal Welfare Act although that title is not mentioned within the law. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to regulate transport, sale, and handling of dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits intended to be used in research or "for other purposes." It requires licensing and inspection of dog and cat dealers and humane handling at auction sales. The complete amended act can be found in United States Code, Title 7, Sections 2131-2156. [Full Text]

Public Law 91-579 Animal Welfare Act of 1970
Enacted December 24, 1970, Public Law 91-579 expands the list of animals covered by the Act to include all warm-blooded animals determined by the Secretary of Agriculture as being used or intended for use in experimentation or exhibition except horses no t used in research and farm animals used in food and fiber research. Exhibitors are incorporated into the act and research facilities are defined. Retail pet stores, state and county fairs, rodeos, purebred dog and cat shows, and agricultural exhibition s are exempt from the Act. The Secretary is directed to develop regulations regarding recordkeeping and humane care and treatment of animals in or during commerce, exhibition, experimentation, and transport. There is also mention of inspections, and appropriate anesthetics, analgesics, and tranquilizers. There are further regulations on dog and cat commerce. [Full Text]

Public Law 94-279 Animal Welfare Act Amendments of 1976
Enacted April 22, 1976, Public Law 94-279 is primarily refining previous regulations on animal transport and commerce. "Carrier" and "Intermediate Handler" are defined. Health certification prior to transport of sale is required and must be performed b y a veterinarian. Licenses, method of payment, and penalties for violations are discussed. This amendment also introduces and defines "animal fighting ventures" to the Act. Animals used in hunting waterfowl, foxes, etc. are exempt. It is illegal to exhibit or transport via interstate or foreign commerce animals used in fighting ventures such as dogs or roosters. [Full Text]

Public Law 99-198 Food Security Act of 1985, Subtitle F - Animal Welfare
Also called "The Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act" and enacted December 23, 1985, this section clarifies what is meant by "humane care" by mentioning specifics such as sanitation, housing, and ventilation. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish regulations to provide exercise for dogs and an adequate physical environment to promote the psychological well-being of nonhuman primates. It specifies that pain and distress must be minimized in experimental procedures and that alternatives to such procedures be considered by the principle investigator. It also defines practices that are considered to be painful. No animal can be used in more than one major operative experiment with recovery (exceptions are listed). The establishment of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is introduced with a description of its roles, composition, and responsibilities to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Also included is the formation of an information service at the National Agricultural Library to assist those regulated by the act in prevention of unintended duplication of research, employee training, searching for ways to reduce or replace animal use, and to provide information on how to decrease pain and distress. The final section explains the penalties for release of trade secrets by regulators and the regulated community. [Full Text]

Public Law 101-624 Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, Section 2503 - Protection of Pets
Enacted November 28, 1990, and establishes a holding period for dogs and cats at shelters and other holding facilities before sale to dealers. It requires dealers to provide written certification regarding each animal's background to the recipient. Specific items included on the certificate are mechanisms of enforcement, injunctions, and penalties for violation. [Full Text]

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 1, Subchapter A - Animal Welfare. Available from: USDA, APHIS/Animal Care, 4700 River Rd., Unit 85, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234.
The current version of the regulations developed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture that specify how to comply with the Animal Welfare Act and its amendments. The section is divided into 4 sections: Definitions, Regulations, Standards, and Rules of Practice Governing Proceedings Under the Animal Welfare Act. The Definitions section describes exactly what is meant by terms used in the legislation. "Animal", for example, specifically excludes rats of the genus Rattus and mice of the genus Mus as well as birds used in research. The Regulations section includes subparts for licensing, registration, research facilities, attending veterinarians and adequate veterinary care, stolen animals, records, compliance with standards and holding periods, and miscellaneous topics such as confiscation and destruction of animals and access and inspection of records and property. The bulk of the subchapter is the third section which provides standards for specific species or groups of species. Included are sections for cats and dogs, guinea pigs and hamsters, rabbits, nonhuman primates, marine mammals, and the general category of "other warm-blooded animals". Standards include those for facilities and operations, health and husbandry systems, and transportation. The final section sets forth the Rules of Practice applicable to adjudicating administrative proceedings under Section 19 of the Animal Welfare Act. [Full Text at APHIS website]

Federal Register, Vol. 54, No. 168, August 31, 1989, P. 36112-36163. Animal Welfare; Final Rules; 9 CFR Parts 1 and 2
Often referred to as the "Preamble" to the Animal Welfare Act amendments of 1985, the explanations of the regulations are used to identify the intent of the regulations published in Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations. This issue contains final regulations developed to enact the 1985 amendments to the Animal Welfare Act covering the Definitions and Regulations sections. Extensive commentary is provided to respond to public comments about each of the proposed regulations. Comments and final regulations are provided in many areas including the structure and functions of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee; the principal investigator's consideration of alternatives that reduce, refine, or replace animal use; records; licensing; registration; stolen animals; and research facilities. [Full Text]

Federal Register, Vol. 55, No. 32, February 15, 1991, P. 6426-6505. Final Rule: Animal Welfare; Standards; Part 3
Often referred to as the "Preamble" to the Animal Welfare Act amendments of 1985, the explanations of the regulations are used to identify the intent of the regulations published in Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations. This issue contains fina l regulations developed to enact the 1985 amendments to the Animal Welfare Act covering the Standards section. Extensive commentary is provided to respond to public comments about each of the proposed regulations. Comments and final regulations are provided concerning exercise in dogs and psychological well-being in nonhuman primates. [Full Text]

Federal Register, Vol. 58, No. 139, July 22, 1993, P. 39124. Final Rule: Random Source Dogs and Cats.
The final rules implementing the 1990 amendment to the Animal Welfare Act and amending the animal welfare regulations by requiring pounds and shelters to hold and care for dogs and cats for at least 5 days (including one weekend day) before providing the m to a dealer. Dealers must provide valid certification to anyone acquiring random source dogs and cats from them. Public comments and rationale for the regulatory decisions are discussed. This information updates Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart A, Parts 1 and 2. [Full Text]

Federal Register, Vol. 58, No. 164, August 26, 1993, P. 45040. Final Rule: Correction, Random Source Dogs and Cats.
Revises several sentences in the original final rule. [Full Text]

Animal Care Policies
The policy manual gives policies issued by APHIS/Animal Care that clarify the Animal Welfare Act regulations. Among the topics covered are "Written Narrative for Alternatives to Painful Procedures", "Space and Exercise Requirements for Traveling Exhibitors", and "Annual Report for Research Facilities". Originally issued in April 1997, new policies may be added at any time and included in the manual. [Full Text at APHIS/AC website]


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U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Ave.
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