USDA Animal Care Policy Manual

These are copies of the USDA Web pages collected in December 2000. To get the latest versions, go to the Web site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac

Animal Care Home Page

The Animal Care Policy Manual further clarifies the intent of the Animal Welfare Act. The policies below are not in the same text or format style as the hard copy of the Policy Manual, but the wording is exactly the same.

Policy #1 Denial of AWA License Applications

Policy #2 Submission of Traveling Exhibitor Itinerary

Policy #3 Veterinary Care

Policy #4 Use of Leased Animals by Licensees

Policy #5 Licensing of Exotic Animal Auction Markets

Policy #6 Space and Exercise Requirements for Traveling Exhibitors

Policy #7 Group classifications for Nonhuman Primates

Policy #8 Guidelines for the Confiscation and Destruction of Animals

Policy #9 Barrier Facility, SPF Colony Inspection

Policy #10 Licensing and Registration of Producers of Antibodies, Sera and/or Other Animal Parts and Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU)

Policy #11 Painful/Distressful Procedures (see below)

Policy #12 Written Narrative for Alternatives to Painful Procedures

Policy #13 Microchip Implants

Policy #14 Major Survival Surgery, Single vs. Multiple Procedures

Policy #15 IACUC membership

Policy #16 Dealers Selling Surgically Altered Animals to Research

Policy #17 Annual Report for Research Facilities

Policy #18 Health Certificate for Dogs, Cats, and Nonhuman Primates

Policy #19 Tattoo Identification of Dogs and Cats

Policy #20 Identification of Puppies Less than 16 Weeks of Age

Policy #21 Control of Tuberculosis in Regulated Elephants

Policy #22 Necropsy Requirements

Policy #23 Criteria for Licensing Hoofstock Dealers

Policy #24 Adequate Enclosures for Flying Species and Aquatic Species

Policy #25 Proper Diets for Large Felids

Policy #26 Regulation of Agricultural Animals

Policy #27 Capture Methods of Prairie Dogs

Policy #28 Licensing Sales of Dead Animals

Policy #29 Farm Animals Used for Nonagricultural Purposes

Proposed revision to Policy 11

In July 2000, Animal Care (APHIS) requested comments on the definitions of and reporting of animal pain and distress. It is anticipated that a definition of "distress" will be added to this policy (the current working definition under consideration is this: "Distress is a state in which an animal cannot escape from or adapt to the internal or external stressors or conditions it experiences, resulting in negative effects on its well-being.") USDA is also considering the revision of how the numbers of animals in different pain and distress categories is reported. Systems currently advocated by the HSUS and the CCAC are being considered; in these, judgments must be made concerning the levels of pain or distress such as minimal/moderate/severe.{4510}

Comments? Send an email to janet.rodgers@vet.ox.ac.uk