**GAO-10-945**                      Published: Sep 24, 2010. Publicly Released: Sep 24, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

For decades, the public has been concerned that lost or stolen dogs and cats could be used in research. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is responsible for the licensing and oversight of dealers who provide animals for research. Random source Class B dealers--who generally obtain dogs and cats for research from individuals, pounds, and other dealers--have been the focus of this concern. GAO was asked to determine (1) the number of random source Class B dealers, (2) the extent to which APHIS conducts inspections of these dealers and verifies their records, and (3) the costs associated with APHIS's oversight of these dealers compared to other types of dealers. GAO reviewed the Animal Welfare Act (AWA); APHIS regulations and guidance; inspection reports; agency data, such as "traceback" data used to verify dogs and cats are not lost or stolen; and interviewed and reviewed documents from agency officials and other stakeholders.

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## Topics

Budget and Spending

AccountabilityAnimal welfareAnimalsBiomedical researchCost analysisData collectionDomestic animalsFederal agenciesInspectionInternal controlsLaboratory animalsLicensesRecordsResearch and developmentResearch and development facilitiesSalesStandardsCompliance

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