Animal Welfare Act - USA
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The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is a federal law that sets general standards for humane care and treatment of certain animals used for research, exhibition, or as pets. It also regulates the transportation of animals in commerce. The law is enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
The regulations are divided into four parts: Part 1 defines the terms used in the regulations; Part 2 specifies the regulations for dealers, exhibitors, research facilities, intermediate handlers, carriers, and auction sales; Part 3 sets the standards for the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of various animals; and Part 4 establishes the rules of practice governing proceedings under the AWA.
Part 3 of the Animal Welfare Act is a set of regulations that specify the standards for the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of warmblooded animals other than dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, nonhuman primates, marine mammals, and birds. The regulations cover topics such as:
- Facilities and operating standards: The regulations provide the requirements for the structural strength, water and power supply, storage, waste disposal, washroom and sinks, ventilation, lighting, drainage, pest control, and perimeter fence of the indoor and outdoor housing facilities where animals are kept. The regulations also provide the minimum space requirements for the primary enclosures used to house animals.
- Animal health and husbandry standards: The regulations provide the requirements for the feeding, watering, sanitation, employees, separation, and veterinary care of the animals. The regulations also provide the guidelines for the observation, acclimation, and handling of animals with special conditions or needs.
- Transportation standards: The regulations provide the requirements for the consignments to carriers and intermediate handlers, primary enclosures used to transport live animals, primary conveyances (motor vehicle, rail, air, and marine), food and drinking water requirements, care in transit, terminal facilities, and handling of animals during transportation in commerce. The regulations also provide the procedures for notifying the consignee of the arrival of animals and reporting any incidents or injuries that occur during transportation.