The Animal Welfare Act is a US law that regulates the treatment and use of animals in research, transportation, exhibitions, and retail. It sets minimum standards for humane treatment, care, and handling of protected animals. The law only covers warm-blooded animals in certain circumstances and does not apply to invertebrates, cold-blooded animals, or animals used in food and fiber production. Enforcement falls under the Animal and Plant Inspection Service, and similar laws exist in other countries.
Enacted in 1966, the Animal Welfare Act is a law passed by the United States Congress that provides for the supervision and regulation of the treatment and use of animals in research settings, as well as in transportation, at exhibitions and by retailers. Initially, the purpose of the Animal Welfare Act was limited to safeguarding the welfare of animals used for research or experimental purposes, but this act has been amended many times since 1966 and has been made more inclusive of animals and the circumstances covered by it. Enforcement of the law falls under the Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS), which is a division of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Countries such as the UK, Japan and Switzerland have enacted similar laws to protect animal welfare.
The Animal Welfare Act has mandated certain minimum standards of treatment and care that must be provided to animals that have been designated as protected by it. The standards were set by the Animal Welfare Act to cover issues such as basic humane treatment, care and handling. Also included in the standards are elements of adequate exercise, feed, water, housing, lighting, ventilation, veterinary care and species separation.
Only certain classes of animals are protected by the Animal Welfare Act. Invertebrates such as worms or fruit flies and cold-blooded animals such as reptiles or fish are excluded from the coverage of the act. Birds are also excluded, as well as rats and mice kept for research.
Warm blooded animals such as dogs, cats, primates, guinea pigs and rabbits are covered. Farm animals used as research subjects are covered by the law, but those used in food and fiber production are not. The United States Secretary of Agriculture determines which warm-blooded animals are protected by law.
Furthermore, the Animal Welfare Act only affects animals in certain circumstances. The standards of care required by law apply directly to animal shows such as roadside menageries, animals in research facilities, zoos, circuses, and dog and cat breeders. The law also applies to transporters and traders who raise animals for research facilities. Individuals and companies that provide or engage in these activities and services must be licensed or registered and are subject to inspections. Some businesses and businesses, such as retail pet stores and state or county fairs, are exempt from the Animal Welfare Act.
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