It is the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, teaching, testing, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. The Act is enforced by USDA, APHIS, Animal Care. The AWA has been amended numerous times since its original passage in 1966.
Full Answer
Who regulates the care of animals used for research?
Individual states may regulate the care and use of animals for research even further. Massachusetts, for example, has its own laws governing the care of research animals, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health licenses and inspects animal research facilities that house dogs or cats.
Does this policy affect other laws or regulations about laboratory animals?
This Policy does not affect applicable state or local laws or regulations which impose more stringent standards for the care and use of laboratory animals. All institutions are required to comply, as applicable, with the Animal Welfare Act , and other Federal statutes and regulations relating to animals.
What was the first law to regulate animal research?
ANIMAL WELFARE ACT The first federal law regulating animal research was the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act passed by Congress in 1966. This law covered the transport, sale, and handling of animals and provided for licensing of animal dealers to prevent pet theft and their sale to research facilities.
Who is responsible for Animal Care in a biomedical facility?
Normally, the housing, feeding, and care of all animals used for biomedical purposes must be directed by a veterinarian or other scientist trained and experienced in the proper care, handling, and use of the species being maintained or studied. In any case, veterinary care shall be provided as indicated.
Which federal agencies regulate the humane treatment of lab animals?
The United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, is the federal agency responsible for overseeing and inspecting laboratories that experiment on animals, as well as those who breed and sell animals for use in laboratories.
Does the IRB deal with animals?
The IRB reviews research that involves human participants. Research involving animals must be reviewed by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) before it begins.
What animals does the USDA regulate?
USDA-regulated Species include all live or dead warm-blooded animals used in research except birds, rats of the genus Rattus, and mice of the genus Mus bred for research. This also excludes "cold-blooded" animals such as fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
Who is responsible for the humane treatment of experimental animals?
(1) one Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, with training or experience in laboratory animal science and medicine, who has direct or delegated program authority and responsibility for activities involving animals at the institution (see IV.
What is the IRB and IACUC?
Research involving live vertebrate animals (except for humans) must be approved in advance by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Research involving human participants may require approval of the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Do animal studies require an IRB?
Prior to performing studies using human subjects, it is essential to first get permission from the MIT Institutional Review Board (IRB). Similarly, animal studies also require prior approval, which is granted by the MIT Committee for Animal Care (CAC).
What does the USDA regulate?
The USDA is responsible for overseeing farming, ranching, and forestry industries, as well as regulating aspects of food quality and safety and nutrition labeling. The USDA is further tasked with administering several social welfare programs including free school lunches and food stamps.
What agency has responsibility for regulating the care and management of small animals?
The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for regulating animal drugs, feeds/foods, devices, and most animal health products; however some classes of animal products come under the jurisdiction of other Federal or State government agencies.
What does USDA stand for?
U.S. Department of AgricultureUnited States Department of Agriculture / Full nameThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is made up of 29 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees who serve the American people at more than 4,500 locations across the country and abroad.
What regulations are there for animal testing?
The federal law called the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) sets high standards of care for lab animals with regard to their housing, feeding, cleanliness, ventilation and medical needs. It also requires the use of anesthesia or analgesic drugs for potentially painful procedures and during post-operative care.
Is animal testing regulated?
In the United States, animal testing on vertebrates is primarily regulated by the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (AWA), and the Animal Welfare Regulations which is enforced by the Animal Care division of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Which kind of animal is regulated by the animal welfare regulations Awr when used in research?
The AWA applies to research with a range of species that includes: “with certain exceptions, any live or dead dog, cat, monkey (nonhuman primate mammal), guinea pig, hamster, rabbit, or such other warm-blooded animal, as the Secretary [of Agriculture] may determine is being used, or is intended for use for research” (7 ...
Regulations
USDA Animal Welfare Regulations external icon , Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Parts 1, 2, and 3.
Standards and Principles
Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) external icon
Animal Welfare Act History Digital Collection (AWAHDC)
The AWAHDC contains U.S. Government publications related to the AWA that fall into three categories: legislative history, regulatory history, and USDA publications. Select the 4 resources to the right to read the original Act and some of its amendments.
Animal Welfare Act Timeline
Not sure where to start in our digital collection? Want a quick overview of the AWA and its amendments? Take a look at our interactive timeline! It highlights the amendments to the Act over time and shares a brief summary of how the law changed with each amendment. You can also view a static version of the timeline .
Current Law and Regulations
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) requires that minimum standards of care and treatment be provided for certain animals bred for commercial sale; used in research, teaching, or testing; transported commercially; or exhibited to the public.
Resources from USDA APHIS
This guide is used as an aid for APHIS personnel when inspecting USDA licensed and registered facilities. It can also be used by anyone to understand what APHIS inspectors are observing during an inspection.
Who must direct the care of animals for biomedical purposes?
Normally, the housing, feeding, and care of all animals used for biomedical purposes must be directed by a veterinarian or other scientist trained and experienced in the proper care, handling, and use of the species being maintained or studied. In any case, veterinary care shall be provided as indicated.
What is assurance in animal care?
The Assurance shall fully describe the institution's program for the care and use of animals in PHS-conducted or supported activities. The PHS requires institutions to use the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
How often should IACUC review PHS?
As an agent of the institution, the IACUC shall with respect to PHS-conducted or supported activities: 1. review at least once every six months the institution's program for humane care and use of animals, using the Guide as a basis for evaluation; 7.
What is the PHS policy?
It is the Policy of the Public Health Service (PHS) to require institutions to establish and maintain proper measures to ensure the appropriate care and use of all animals involved in research, research training, and biological testing activities (hereinafter referred to as "activities") conducted or supported by the PHS. The PHS endorses the "U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training" developed by the Interagency Research Animal Committee. This Policy is intended to implement and supplement those Principles.
Can a PHS award be made for animals?
PHS awarding units may not make an award for an activity involving animals unless the prospective awardee institution and all other participating institutions have approved Assurances on file with OLAW, and unless the awardee institution has provided verification of approval by the IACUC of those components of the application or proposal related to the care and use of animals. If any one of these institutions does not have an approved Assurance on file with OLAW, the awarding unit will ask OLAW to negotiate an Assurance with the institution or institutions before an award is made. No award shall be made until all required Assurances have been submitted by the institution or institutions and approved by OLAW, and the institution or institutions have provided verification of approval by the IACUC of those components of the application or proposal related to the care and use of animals.
What is the humane treatment of animals?
Humane treatment of animals is the foundation for good science as well as a legal and ethical imperative. The U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training provide an ethical framework that underlies all U.S. laws governing the treatment of animals.
What animals are covered by the AWA?
This applies to all the animals covered under the AWA as well as purpose-bred rats, mice and birds and cold-blooded vertebrates such as fish and reptiles.
What is AAALAC accreditation?
AAALAC, International, is a private organization that provides independent, voluntary accreditation for animal care programs in industry, academia, and government. To earn AAALAC accreditation, institutions must demonstrate that they have a rigorous care and use program for all vertebrate animals ...
What is the AWA program?
In addition, many institutions participate in a private program for accreditation of animal care programs. Animal Welfare Act. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulates the use of most warm-blooded vertebrates in research, teaching and testing. This includes guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, cats, dogs, non-human primates and farm animals ...
Is a mouse considered an AWA?
Rats, mice and birds that were bred for research are excluded from the AWA. However, most are covered either under the PHS Policy or through AAALAC, International accreditation. (See below.) The U.S. Department of Agriculture enforces the AWA.
What agency must treat research animals humanely?
Federal agencies must treat research animals humanely in their quest to answer scientific questions. As a check on their practices, the agencies must submit data about their animal use to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the National Institutes of Health.
What information does the Federal government have about animal use programs?
Federal agencies may have additional information about their animal use programs, including data on vertebrate species used but not reported to APHIS; the purpose of research activities; and internal inspection reports.
What is research facility?
Research facilities, including those managed by federal agencies, use a wide range of animals in research and related activities each year. The Animal Welfare Act and the Health Research Extension Act have varying requirements for federal agencies and others to protect the welfare of and report on the use of different research animals to APHIS ...
What animals are used for research?
Dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, horses used for research purposes, and other warm-blooded animals, with certain exceptions. Birds, rats of the genus Rattus, and mice of the genus Mus, bred for use in research.
When will animal research be done in the federal government?
Animal Research in the Federal Government: A Search for Alternatives. Tuesday, June 23, 2020. Researchers have frequently used animals to study disease, test product safety, experiment, or teach...
Does Aphis have a complete report?
However, APHIS's instructions have not ensured consistent and complete reporting in three areas: research with birds, activities outside the United States, and field studies outside a typical laboratory. By clarifying its instructions, APHIS could improve the quality of animal use data it receives from agencies.