Animal Welfare Act

Animal Welfare Act

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is a critical piece of legislation in the United States that governs the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. Enacted in 1966, it is the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in these contexts. The Act is enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

History

The Animal Welfare Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 24, 1966. The original purpose of the Act was to regulate the treatment of animals in research facilities and to address the issue of pet theft, which was a significant concern at the time. Over the years, the Act has been amended several times to expand its scope and improve animal welfare standards.

Amendments

• 1970 Amendment: Expanded the definition of "animal" and increased the scope of the Act to include all warm-blooded animals used in research, exhibition, or as pets.
• 1976 Amendment: Addressed animal fighting ventures and improved standards for the transportation of animals.
• 1985 Amendment: Known as the "Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act," it introduced requirements for the psychological well-being of primates and the exercise of dogs.
• 1990 Amendment: Focused on the protection of pets, particularly in cases of theft.
• 2002 Amendment: Excluded birds, rats, and mice bred for research from the definition of "animal."
• 2007 Amendment: Strengthened regulations on animal fighting.

Provisions

The Animal Welfare Act sets forth minimum standards of care and treatment that must be provided for certain animals bred for commercial sale, used in research, transported commercially, or exhibited to the public. These standards include requirements for housing, handling, sanitation, nutrition, water, veterinary care, and protection from extreme weather and temperatures.

Covered Animals

The AWA covers a wide range of animals, including:

• Dogs
• Cats
• Nonhuman primates
• Guinea pigs
• Hamsters
• Rabbits

However, the Act does not cover farm animals used for food, fiber, or other agricultural purposes, nor does it cover rats, mice, and birds bred for research.

Enforcement

The USDA's APHIS is responsible for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act. This includes conducting inspections of facilities that are required to be licensed or registered under the Act. Facilities that fail to comply with the AWA standards may face penalties, including fines, suspension, or revocation of their licenses.

Criticisms and Challenges

Despite its importance, the Animal Welfare Act has faced criticism from animal rights groups who argue that it does not go far enough in protecting animals. Critics point to the exclusion of certain animals from the Act's protections and the perceived inadequacy of enforcement mechanisms.

See Also

• Humane Slaughter Act
• Animal rights
• Laboratory animal sources

References

• "Animal Welfare". USDA APHIS. Retrieved October 10, 2023.