§ 2.50 Time and method of identification. ( a ) A class “A” dealer (breeder) shall identify all live dogs and cats on the premises as follows: ( 1 ) All live dogs and cats held on the premises, purchased, or otherwise acquired, sold or otherwise disposed of, or removed from the premises for delivery to a research facility or exhibitor or to another dealer, or for sale, through an auction sale or to any person for use as a pet, shall be identified by an official tag of the type described in § 2.51 affixed to the animal's neck by means of a collar made of material generally considered acceptable to pet owners as a means of identifying their pet dogs or cats[2] , or shall be identified by a distinctive and legible tattoo marking acceptable to and approved by the Administrator.
( 2 ) Live puppies or kittens, less than 16 weeks of age, shall be identified by: ( i ) An official tag as described in § 2.51;
( ii ) A distinctive and legible tattoo marking approved by the Administrator; or
( iii ) A plastic-type collar acceptable to the Administrator which has legibly placed thereon the information required for an official tag pursuant to § 2.51.
( b ) A class “B” dealer shall identify all live dogs and cats under his or her control or on his or her premises as follows: ( 1 ) When live dogs or cats are held, purchased, or otherwise acquired, they shall be immediately identified: ( i ) By affixing to the animal's neck an official tag as set forth in § 2.51 by means of a collar made of material generally acceptable to pet owners as a means of identifying their pet dogs or cats[3] ; or
( ii ) By a distinctive and legible tattoo marking approved by the Administrator.
( 2 ) If any live dog or cat is already identified by an official tag or tattoo which has been applied by another dealer or exhibitor, the dealer or exhibitor who purchases or otherwise acquires the animal may continue identifying the dog or cat by the previous identification number, or may replace the previous tag with his own official tag or approved tattoo. In either case, the class B dealer or class C exhibitor shall correctly list all old and new official tag numbers or tattoos in his or her records of purchase which shall be maintained in accordance with §§ 2.75 and 2.77. Any new official tag or tattoo number shall be used on all records of any subsequent sales by the dealer or exhibitor, of any dog or cat.
( 3 ) Live puppies or kittens less than 16 weeks of age, shall be identified by: ( i ) An official tag as described in § 2.51;
( ii ) A distinctive and legible tattoo marking approved by the Administrator; or
( iii ) A plastic-type collar acceptable to the Administrator which has legibly placed thereon the information required for an official tag pursuant to § 2.51.
( 4 ) When any dealer has made a reasonable effort to affix an official tag to a cat, as set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, and has been unable to do so, or when the cat exhibits serious distress from the attachment of a collar and tag, the dealer shall attach the collar and tag to the door of the primary enclosure containing the cat and take measures adequate to maintain the identity of the cat in relation to the tag. Each primary enclosure shall contain no more than one weaned cat without an affixed collar and official tag, unless the cats are identified by a distinctive and legible tattoo or plastic-type collar approved by the Administrator.
( c ) A class “C” exhibitor shall identify all live dogs and cats under his or her control or on his or her premises, whether held, purchased, or otherwise acquired: ( 1 ) As set forth in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(3) of this section, or
( 2 ) By identifying each dog or cat with: ( i ) An official USDA sequentially numbered tag that is kept on the door of the animal's cage or run;
( ii ) A record book containing each animal's tag number, a written description of each animal, the data required by § 2.75(a), and a clear photograph of each animal; and
( iii ) A duplicate tag that accompanies each dog or cat whenever it leaves the compound or premises.
( d ) Unweaned puppies or kittens need not be individually identified as required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section while they are maintained as a litter with their dam in the same primary enclosure, provided the dam has been individually identified.
( e ) ( 1 ) All animals, except dogs and cats, delivered for transportation, transported, purchased, sold, or otherwise acquired or disposed of by any dealer or exhibitor shall be identified by the dealer or exhibitor at the time of delivery for transportation, purchase, sale, acquisition or disposal, as provided for in this paragraph and in records maintained as required in §§ 2.75 and 2.77.
( 2 ) When one or more birds are confined in a primary enclosure, the bird shall be identified by: ( i ) A label attached to the primary enclosure which shall bear a description of the birds in the primary enclosure, including: ( A ) The number of birds;
( B ) The species of the birds;
( C ) Any distinctive physical features of the birds; and
( D ) Any identifying marks on the birds; or
( ii ) A leg or wing band applied to each bird in the primary enclosure by the dealer or exhibitor that individually identifies each bird by description or number; or
( iii ) A transponder (microchip) placed in a standard anatomical location for the species in accordance with professionally accepted standards, provided that the receiving facility has a compatible transponder (microchip) reader that is capable of reading the transponder (microchip) and that the reader is readily available for use by an APHIS official and/or facility employee accompanying the APHIS official.
( 3 ) When one or more animals, other than dogs, cats, or birds, are confined in a primary enclosure, the animal(s) shall be identified by: ( i ) A label attached to the primary enclosure which shall bear a description of the animals in the primary enclosure, including: ( A ) The number of animals;
( B ) The species of the animals;
( C ) Any distinctive physical features of the animals; and
( D ) Any identifying marks, tattoos, or tags attached to the animals;
( ii ) Marking the primary enclosure with a painted or stenciled number which shall be recorded in the records of the dealer or exhibitor together with: ( A ) A description of the animal(s);
( B ) The species of the animal(s); and
( C ) Any distinctive physical features of the animal(s); or
( iii ) A tag or tattoo applied to each animal in the primary enclosure by the dealer or exhibitor which individually identifies each animal by description or number.
( 4 ) When any animal, other than a dog or cat, is not confined in a primary enclosure, it shall be identified on a record, as required by § 2.75, which shall accompany the animal at the time it is delivered for transportation, transported, purchased, or sold, and shall be kept and maintained by the dealer or exhibitor as part of his or her records.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 0579-0036 and 0579-0486) [54 FR 36147, Aug. 31, 1989, as amended at 88 FR 10714, Feb. 21, 2023] Footnotes -
2.50
[2] In general, well fitted collars made of leather or plastic will be acceptable under this provision. The use of certain types of chains presently used by some dealers may also be deemed acceptable. APHIS will determine the acceptability of a material proposed for usage as collars from the standpoint of humane considerations on an individual basis in consultation with the dealer or exhibitor involved. The use of materials such as wire, elastic, or sharp metal that might cause discomfort or injury to the dogs or cats is not acceptable.
[3] See footnote 2 in § 2.50(a)(1).