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APHIS’ Animal Care Report

United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Spring 2000

A lot has been happening in fiscal year (FY)

2000 in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA)

Animal Care (AC) program, and the highlights are

presented here. The Animal and Plant Health

Inspection Service (APHIS) received a $1 million

increase for operating our program, which will allow

us to hire more inspectors, replace high-mileage

vehicles, and continue to provide inspectors the tools

they need to work efficiently from remote locations.

In March, AC held a public meeting to discuss

training and handling of dangerous animals,

developed and updated its strategic plan, and moved

forward on other policies and regulations. All AC’s

veterinary medical officers and supervisory animal

care specialists attended a training session on issues

of inspecting research facilities.

APHIS has also announced that we believe

large wild and exotic animals make dangerous pets,

an issue that has received considerable media

attention in recent months.

We hope you find the report informative and

helpful. If you have comments, need to change your

address, or would like to subscribe to the hard-copy

mailing, please contact us at (301) 734–7255 or

ace@usda.gov.

W. Ron DeHaven

Deputy Administrator

AC Holds Public Meeting To Discuss

Training and Handling

On March 7, USDA opened its doors for a public

meeting to discuss a new AC policy for training and

handling potentially dangerous animals and other

concerns from the public and from regulated

businesses.

Dr. Enrique Figueroa, Deputy Under Secretary

for USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs

mission area, welcomed the approximately 80

attendees. His speech praised AC’s increased efforts

in recent years to protect animals regulated under the

Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Horse Protection

Act. Dr. Ron DeHaven, Deputy Administrator for AC,

hosted question-and-answer sessions. Attendees

also had the opportunity to attend two of four

breakout sessions with AC field and headquarters

staff to discuss issues related to (1) training and

handling potentially dangerous animals, (2) zoos,

(3) circuses, and (4) dealers, research, and

transportation.

The training and handling sessions were popular

because of the draft policy recently published for

comment in the Federal Register. The policy

statement was drafted and published in response to

requests from the general public, regulated

industries, and APHIS inspectors to provide more

guidance about how to comply with requirements

pertaining to training and handling of potentially

dangerous animals (e.g., lions, tigers, bears, and

elephants). Before implementing the policy, USDA

sought and accepted public comments until April 18.

On July 24, 1997, APHIS published a notice in

the Federal Register requesting information about

practices used for training and handling potentially

dangerous animals. Specifics included the type of

training and level of experience trainers and handlers

of such animals should have. More than 400

comments were received. The current policy under

consideration is in response to these comments as

well as AC’s direct experience in enforcing the AWA

and its regulations.

Budget Increase Means More Inspectors

AC was pleased to learn that its budget will be

increased by nearly $1 million this year. This

adjustment brings AC to approximately $10.1 million

for FY 2000, up from nearly $9.2 million in FY 1999.

These funds will allow AC to increase its staff of

inspectors from 64 to 71. AC has recently filled

positions in Las Vegas, NV, Richmond, VA, and

Mansfield, MO.

Another goal of AC’s strategic direction has been

filled: all its inspectors are now equipped with

cellular phones.

AC Updates Strategic Direction

In February, AC released an updated strategic

direction document for the animal welfare program.

This document revised the 1996 original because,

since then, several objectives have been met. The

new strategic direction highlights these

accomplishments and identifies areas that need new

or continued improvement. Check out the complete

report at www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/strategicplan.html

on the AC Website.
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USDA–APHIS–Animal Care

Headquarters Office

W. Ron DeHaven, D.V.M.

4700 River Road, Unit 84

Riverdale, MD 20737–1234

Phone: (301) 734–7833

Fax: (301) 734–4978

Eastern Region

Elizabeth Goldentyer, D.V.M.

920 Main Campus Drive, Suite 200

Raleigh, NC 27606–5210

Phone: (919) 716–5532

Fax: (919) 716–5696

Central Region

Walter Christensen, D.V.M.

P.O. Box 915004 (letters)

501 Felix Street, Bldg. 11 (packages)

Fort Worth, TX 76115–9104

Phone: (817) 885–6923

Fax: (817) 885–6917

Western Region

Robert Gibbens, D.V.M.

9580 Micron Avenue, Suite J

Sacramento, CA 95827

Phone: (916) 857–6205

Fax: (916) 857–6212

World Wide Web Home Page

www.aphis.usda.gov/ac

E-mail Address

ace@usda.gov

Eastern Region Completes Move

The AC Eastern Region office completed its

move to Raleigh, NC, in fall 1999. The new address

and fax number are listed in the information box on

this page. The Central Region office in Fort Worth,

TX, has not moved but has a new mailing address.

Innovative Enforcement Team Wins Vice

Presidential Award

AC, APHIS’ Investigative and Enforcement

Services, and USDA’s Office of the General

Counsel won Vice President Al Gore’s Hammer

Award for reinventing government for their

innovative enforcement of the AWA. Their

innovative techniques allow many cases to be

settled without a hearing, which saves time and

taxpayers’ money and allows for more flexible use

of penalty monies.

Previously, most fines went to the U.S.

Treasury. In many settlement agreements, fines are

now targeted to improving the well-being of animals,

such as through specific facility improvements,

donations to research on animal care issues, and

employee training.

When a settlement is not acceptable for the

violations committed, USDA still goes after stringent

enforcement. AC and USDA are working together

to improve collections of fines, including cooperating

with the Department of Justice and Internal

Revenue Service.

USDA Participates in Emergency

Planning for Pets in Disasters

In September 1999, Hurricane Floyd displaced

tens of thousands of animals throughout North

Carolina and the Southeastern United States.

USDA sent experts into the field to assess the

damage to livestock but learned that many of the

animals affected were domestic pets.

As a result, officials from APHIS’ AC and

Veterinary Services programs and Michael V. Dunn,

Under Secretary for USDA’s Marketing and

Regulatory Programs, met several times with

disaster planners from other Federal agencies and

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS),

the American Humane Association, and the

American Veterinary Medical Association to discuss

how best to ensure the well-being of pets in

disasters.

The issue was further discussed at an open

meeting during the National Animal Disaster

Conference 2000 in Orlando, FL, on March 22–24.

The conference was cosponsored by HSUS, the

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer

Services, the Florida Division of Emergency

Management, and USDA. Dunn gave the keynote

speech for the conference.

The meetings allowed USDA officials to

examine the disaster strategies of various animal

protection groups and discuss how the Department

can support efforts to work with owners of

companion animals before, during, and after crises.
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AC Holds Course for Field Staff on

Research Issues

All AC’s field and supervisory veterinary medical

officers attended a training course that focused on

issues related to inspecting research facilities. AC

conducted the course at its Riverdale, MD,

headquarters February 29 to March 3. The course

was designed to clarify AC policies developed in

support of the AWA and to develop a better

understanding of issues faced by regulated facilities.

Specifically, conference attendees examined the role

and functions of Institutional Animal Care and Use

Committees, pain and distress issues, and alternative

methods of research.

In addition to sharing information, AC employees

benefitted from the knowledge of many outside

experts. Speakers and panel members included

representatives from the academic research

community, researchers from industry, and other

Federal officials who regulate those who use covered

animals in their research.

In his welcoming speech, Dr. Enrique Figueroa,

Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and

Regulatory Programs, noted that these outside

experts “bring to the table the most current and up-todate developments.” He added, “Most importantly, as

representatives of many of the kinds of research

organizations we regulate, they add a unique

dimension to the conference. Sadly, it’s not often

enough that both regulators and those that are

regulated actually sit down together in constructive

forums like this.”

This was the first AC-sponsored conference

since 1991 that was dedicated strictly to inspecting

programs that use animals in research, testing, and

training and the many complex and evolving issues

associated with them.

Army Veterinarian Works With AC on

Research Policies

In July, Lt. Col. Pete Schultheiss, a veterinary

medical officer, from the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps,

completes a year-long detail to AC to work on

research-related policies. He has become a key staff

officer and was instrumental in the success of the

research conference AC held for its employees

February 29 to March 3. His next assignment is to

the office of the Navy Surgeon General.

Dr. Schultheiss is board certified in laboratory animal

medicine by the American College of Laboratory

Animal Medicine.

AC and Research Groups Collaborate To

Improve Care

AC, the New Jersey Association for Biomedical

Research (NJABR), and the Pennsylvania Society for

Biomedical Research (PSBR) jointly sponsored an

educational symposium in December 1999 in

Plainsboro, NJ. About 125 members of NJABR and

PSBR and 15 AC employees attended, including

AC’s deputy administrator.

The symposium included two panel discussions:

Animal Use and Care in Research, and Regulation

and Oversight. Four industry representatives spoke

about the unique aspects of different types of

research (academic, pharmaceutical, international)

for animal care and use. Representatives from five

organizations that regulate or assess animal use

(USDA, the National Institutes of Health, the Food

and Drug Administration, the Institute for Laboratory

Animal Research, and the Association for

Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal

Care International) described their unique processes

and activities for regulation and oversight.

After the panel sessions, eight work groups met

to discuss improvements in the regulatory process.

Work groups were comoderated by members of

NJABR or PSBR and USDA inspectors. They

discussed alternatives to procedures that may cause

more than momentary pain or distress, optimization

of communication, use of performance standards,

reference sharing, dispute resolution, the inspection

process, FOIA, and the changing focus of

inspections.

In a general session followup, each work group

reported on its suggestions and insights into the

process. Dr. Michael Kastello, president of NJABR,

and Dr. DeHaven then responded to the input from

the groups.

Evaluations of the meeting were very positive.

The participants welcomed the opportunity to interact

with USDA inspectors and appreciated USDA’s

positive attitude and willingness to discuss the

regulatory process.
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AC Takes a Position on Pet Ownership of

Potentially Dangerous Large Cats

In February, AC published a position statement

that said large wild and exotic cats make dangerous

pets. The intent of the publication is to discourage

individuals without specialized training, experience,

and facilities from keeping these animals as pets. In

many instances, people unwittingly buy tiger or lion

cubs, which later turn into several-hundred-pound

cats that are capable of injuring or killing people. AC

is also concerned about the animals’ well-being.

Large cats require special diets, housing, veterinary

care, and husbandry practices. Many also are

subjected to unnecessary surgeries, such as

declawing and defanging, to make them “better pets.”

The complete position statement is available on the

AC Website (www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/acindex.html).

Inspectors Go Above and Beyond for

Animal Well-Being

Thanks to the extra efforts of AC inspectors

Charlie Currer and Don Borchert, 3 Russian bears, 3

servals, 60 sugar gliders, 2 hedgehogs, 40 dogs, and

about 70 birds of various types are now enjoying

good living conditions.

Currer, who is based in Conroe, TX, helped

place the abandoned Russian bears, which were left

by their owners in a semitrailer at a licensed facility in

Texas. The bears were too much for anyone who

tried to feed or handle them, including the local

veterinarian, who tried to tranquilize them. Currer

arranged for help from the Houston Zoo, which sent a

veterinarian and animal handlers. Currer also

contacted a licensed refuge for exotic animals in the

San Antonio area; officials there agreed to accept the

bears and provide ongoing care for them.

Borchert, based in Mandan, ND, helped rescue

the other menagerie of animals, which were found in

bad conditions in a home in Sykeston, ND. After the

Souris Valley Humane Society in Minot told Borchert

that the county sheriff needed help confiscating the

animals, Borchert contacted the directors of Dakota

Zoo in Bismarck and the Roosevelt Zoo in Minot;

both agreed to help. The Dakota Zoo agreed to take

the wild and exotic animals and to either keep them

or find a home for them at another zoo. The dogs

were taken to the local animal shelter.

“Sam’s” Reunited With Their Families

Sammy the Samoyed dog and Sam the cat may

think it was luck that reunited them with their owners,

but AC’s Missing Pet Network (MPN) played a big

part.

Someone in Ohio heard about a Samoyed in a

shelter in Florida and posted it to the breed list. The

Florida rescue group had a home checked out and

waiting for Sammy when the owner of the breed list

suggested checking the MPN listings. There they

found a listing for a missing Samoyed—same age

and sex and within the right timeframe—filed at a

different shelter. The rescue coordinator called the

number listed, and today a very happy Sammy is

home with his equally thrilled family and a newly

reinforced fence.

Sam the cat disappeared almost 2 years ago. In

March 1999, his owner posted Sam’s picture and

accompanying information on the MPN. Recently, an

animal rescuer in Atlanta found an abandoned cat

that was suffering from deliberately inflicted injuries.

Through the MPN, the rescuer discovered the cat

was Sam and, with the help of several others,

reunited him with his owner.

More information about the MPN can be found at

www.missingpet.net or by contacting AC at (301)

734–7833 or ace@usda.gov.

E–FOIA Down, New Data Base Up

APHIS’ electronic Freedom of Information Act

(E–FOIA) Website, where summary information from

AC inspection reports could be retrieved, was not

Y2K compliant and came down on December 31,

1999. APHIS is hard at work developing a new E–

FOIA site.

Currently, inspection reports must be requested

in writing from the regional offices. The new system

will eventually include access to these reports

through E–FOIA via AC’s new Licensing and

Registration Information System (LARIS), which

became functional October 1, 1999.
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“Site” Redefined

During FY 1999, AC implemented a new

definition of “site” for inspected facilities—all facilities

with the same geographic location will be considered

one site. Previously, a site was determined on a

case-by-case basis by the inspector and the facility

representative. Consequently, there was a wide

range of inconsistencies among facilities. Now, as a

general rule, all facilities within a 35-mile radius are

considered one site. The intention is that all the

locations at one site can be inspected within a normal

commuting distance.

Wise Old Dog Gives Safe Travel Tips

The safe pet travel campaign, which has

provided information to tens of thousands of

travelers, will reach even more people with a new

public service announcement (PSA) for television.

The animated spot is scheduled for distribution this

April, in time for the summer tourist season. In the

PSA, an experienced traveling dog tells another dog

what he’s done to make his flight as safe and

comfortable as possible. He says, for example, “I’ve

booked my humans on the same flight, coach of

course.”

In FY 1998, APHIS distributed 20,000 copies of

AC’s “Traveling With Your Pet” brochure and printed

40,000 more in FY 1999. The brochure and other

materials such as kennel stickers provide a toll-free

number for APHIS’ automated telephone voice

response system. Calls to access information about

transporting animals under the AWA increased from

more than 2,500 in FY 1998 to more than 4,000 in FY

1999.

Recent Publications and Reports

You can find most of the following publications

on AC’s Website, or you may request them from your

regional office.

1. Animal Care Strategic Direction, March 2000

2. Position Statement: Large Wild and Exotic

Cats Make Dangerous Pets, Misc. Publ. 1560,

February 2000 (also available in black-and-white

format for duplication)

3. Animal Care: Safeguarding the Welfare of

Animals, Misc. Publ. 1558, October 1999

4. Licensing and Registration Under the AWA,

Program Aid 1117, revised October 1999

5. Cómo viajar por avión con su mascota

(Spanish version of Traveling With Your Pet by Air

factsheet)

Policy Update

AC policies are available in full on the AC

Website (www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/polman.html).

Policies Under Development

• Painful procedures (revision)

• Written narrative for alternatives to painful

procedures (revision)

Policies Completed

• Licensing sales of dead animals, September

30, 1999

• Veterinary care (revised), December 20, 1999

• Guidelines for farm animals used for

nonagricultural purposes, February 11, 2000

Regulatory Update

The items listed below are under consideration

and not yet published in the Federal Register, were

published in the Federal Register and are open for

comment, or were previously open for comment and

are now under review by the Department.

Notices

• Policy on training and handling of potentially

dangerous animals (comment period closed

4/18)

• Petition for regulation of rats, mice, and birds

(under review)

• Nonhuman primate environment enrichment

policy (under review)

• Extension of approval of an information

collection (comment period closed 2/7)

Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

• Define pain, distress, and painful procedure

(under consideration)

Proposed Rules

• Licensing requirements for dogs and cats

(under consideration)

• Identification of unweaned puppies and

kittens (under consideration)

• Amend definition of exhibitor (under

consideration)

• Exotic canids and felids: minimum age for

transport (under consideration)

• Veterinary medical records (under

consideration)

• Incorporation of American Veterinary Medical

Association standards for euthanasia (under

consideration)

• Regulation of wholesale dealers of hunting,

breeding, and security dogs (under

consideration)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,

national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual

orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases

apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require

alternative means for communication of program information

(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s

TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office

of Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call

(202) 720–5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity

provider and employer.

• Marine mammals: nonconsensus language

and interactive programs (under

consideration)

• Acclimation certificates for dogs and cats

(under review)

Final Rules

• Confiscation of animals (under consideration)

• Marine mammals: consensus language

(under consideration)

• Amendment to the definition of field study

(published 2/9)

Technical Amendments

• Perimeter fencing (under consideration)