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You are here: Home / Government and Professional Resources / Federal Laws / Animal Welfare Act 
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Government and Professional Resources

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The Animal Welfare Act was signed into law in 1966. It is the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. Other laws, policies, and guidelines may include additional species coverage or specifications for animal care and use, but all refer to the Animal Welfare Act as the minimum acceptable standard. The Act was amended six times (1970, 1976, 1985, 1990, 2002, 2007) and is enforced by the USDA, APHIS, Animal Care agency.
Animal Welfare Act as Amended (7 USC, 2131-2159)
Government Printing Office.
The AWA requires that minimum standards of care and treatment be provided for certain animals bred for commercial sale, used in research, transported commercially, or exhibited to the public.

Amendments:
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Animal Welfare Regulations
Government Printing Office.
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 1, Subchapter A - Animal Welfare:
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Final Rules: Animal Welfare
Final rules published in the Federal Register regarding changes to the Animal Welfare regulations.
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Animal Welfare Act Interpretive Summaries
USDA. NAL. Animal Welfare Information Center.
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Legislative History of the Animal Welfare Act, 2007
USDA. NAL. Animal Welfare Information Center.
An annotated bibliography of Federal documents related to the US Animal Welfare Act.
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Questions and Answers about the Animal Welfare Act and Its Regulations for Biomedical Research Institutions
USDA. NAL. Animal Welfare Information Center.
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Animal Care Policy Manual
USDA. APHIS. Animal Care.
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.
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Animal Care Inspection Guides
USDA. APHIS. Animal Care.
Animal Care provides additional guidance manuals on:
  • Dealer Inspections
  • Research Facility Inspections
  • Exhibitor Inspections
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    Licensing and Registration Under the Animal Welfare Act  (PDF|125 KB)
    USDA. APHIS. Animal Care.
    This pamphlet provides guidelines for dealers, exhibitors, transporters, and researchers. It lists most regulated and exempt businesses under the Animal Welfare Act.
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    Animal Welfare Act: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions Symposium Proceedings, 1998
    USDA. NAL. Animal Welfare Information Center.
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    Last Modified: May 6, 2009  
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