Alternative Literature Searching: Laws, Regulations, Policies

Signed in 1966, the Animal Welfare Act is the only Federal law in the United States that regulates animal care and requires that a minimum standards of care and treatment be provided for certain animals bred for commercial sale, used in research, transported commercially, or exhibited to the public.

The Act is enforced by USDA, APHIS, Animal Care.

The Animal Welfare Act indicates that the "investigator must provide a written narrative which demonstrated to the IACUC that alternatives, useful or not, were at least considered in the experimental design."

Also called "The Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act" and enacted December 23, 1985, clarifies what is meant by "humane care" by mentioning specifics such as sanitation, housing, and ventilation. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish regulations to provide exercise for dogs and an adequate physical environment to promote the psychological well-being of nonhuman primates. It specifies that pain and distress must be minimized in experimental procedures and that alternatives to such procedures be considered by the principle investigator. It also defines practices that are considered to be painful. No animal can be used in more than one major operative experiment with recovery (exceptions are listed). The establishment of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is introduced with a description of its roles, composition, and responsibilities to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 2015

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 2011

AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013

U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training

Public Law 99-158, Animals in Research

Public Law 103-43, Plan for Use of Animals in Research, 1993

International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals

Army Regulation 40-33. The Care and Use of Laboratory Animals in DoD Programs.

Department of Defense Instruction 3216.01. Use of Animals in DoD Programs.

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations. Animal Welfare Clause.

DoD Protocol Format.

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used

AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia.