United States 

Department of 

Agriculture Animal Care

www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare February 2012

n AWA Enforcement

APHIS’ Animal Care program enforces the AWA primarily through inspections of regulated facilities. To ensure 

that compliance with the AWA is continually maintained, all facilities that keep animals regulated under the Act 

must be licensed or registered with APHIS. APHIS officials—veterinarians or qualified animal care inspectors 

employed by APHIS and trained to identify potential violations of the AWA and its regulations—conduct 

unannounced inspections of every licensed or registered facility in the country. APHIS inspectors receive special 

training in the proper care of marine mammals, exotic animals, and animals used in research. Inspectors also 

receive extensive training in how to conduct inspections at airport terminals, zoos, and commercial animal breeding 

facilities, among others. 

n Inspection Procedures

During an inspection, the APHIS inspector must be given full access to all areas where regulated animals are kept as 

well as to all records required under the AWA and regulations. A responsible adult must be available to accompany 

the APHIS inspector. All regulated animals must be shown to the inspector, who may examine any animals. The 

inspector may also observe how the animals are handled by their caretakers. Dealers, exhibitors, breeders, caretakers, 

or researchers who interfere with the inspector’s duties are in violation of the AWA.

During the inspection, the APHIS inspector examines and documents all areas of care and treatment that are 

covered under the AWA. This includes observing regulated animals; inspecting the facilities, including enclosure 

or housing materials and space, as well as food storage; and reviewing records, such as animal acquisition records, 

medical records, and necropsy reports. If the inspector observes that the facility is not in full compliance with the 

AWA requirements, he or she will explain to the owner or manager all deficiencies noted.

Once the inspection is completed, the inspector documents any noncompliant items or issues that require correction 

in an inspection report and takes photographs as needed. For each issue that requires correction, the specific 

applicable regulation is cited, along with a description of the problem and a deadline by which the issue must be 

corrected. If deficiencies remain uncorrected at subsequent inspections, APHIS considers legal action.

Repeat noncompliances and serious incidents may warrant enforcement actions such as letters of warning, monetary 

penalties, license suspensions and revocations, and confiscations of animals. 

n AWA Standards

APHIS requires all owners and managers of licensed and registered facilities to comply with certain standards, which 

vary depending on the species and type of facility. The following are examples:

• Housing—Animals must be housed in a structurally sound facility in good repair. The facility must contain 

the animals and protect them from other animals or extreme weather and temperatures. Drainage systems 

must also be in good repair.

• Ventilation—Animals must be provided with cool air or increased ventilation if the ambient temperature 

is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit or heat if the temperature falls below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. 

• Lighting—Facilities must be lit well enough to allow safe and easy access for feeding, cleaning, and 

complete inspection.

• Interior Surfaces—The interior of a facility must be substantially impervious to moisture and be able 

to be easily cleaned and sanitized.

• Primary Enclosures—Animals must be housed in structurally sound enclosures that are in good repair and 

meet APHIS’ minimum space requirements. The floors must protect the animals from injury. The cages must 

be dry and clean and allow animals easy access to food and water. 

Compliance Inspections

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 

administers the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). This law provides for the humane care and treatment 

of animals bred for commercial sale, transported in commerce, used in biomedical research, and 

exhibited to the public. 

[continued, reverse side]

Factsheet

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

APHIS 41-05-012
United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare

Animal Care Factsheet

• Sanitation—Animal waste must be removed and disposed of regularly and as necessary. Primary cages or 

enclosures should be sanitized at least once every 2 weeks. Facilities must not allow trash to accumulate.

• Pest Control—Facility managers must have an effective program to control insects, ectoparasites, and avian 

and mammalian pests.

• Feeding and Watering—Animals must be provided with nutritious, palatable food that is free from 

contamination, properly stored, and served in a clean receptacle. Potable water must be made available 

twice daily for 1 hour if it is not available all the time.

• Outdoor Shelter—Animals must be protected from sunlight, precipitation, and extreme temperatures.

• Compatibility—Female animals in heat must be separated from male animals except for breeding purposes. 

Animals with vicious dispositions should be housed apart from other animals. Puppies and kittens should 

be separated from adult animals other than their mothers. Different species of animals should not be housed 

together unless compatible.

• Recordkeeping—Facility managers must maintain accurate and complete records of the sources of all animals 

that come into their possession. Managers are also required to keep records of the dates of acquisition and 

disposition and to properly identify the animals on the premises. These records must be made available for 

inspection whenever necessary.

• Adequate Veterinary Care—Programs of disease control and prevention, euthanasia, and veterinary care 

must be established and maintained under the supervision and assistance of a veterinarian. A caretaker also 

must observe the animals daily. 

• Handling—Every licensee is required to handle animals properly at all times whether he or she is petting, 

working, feeding, crating, performing, or transferring them.

• Transportation—Licensees and registrants are required to provide animals with adequate space, ventilation, and 

shipping containers during transportation. Most animals transported must be weaned and at least 8 weeks old.

n Additional Information

For more information, contact:

Eastern Region Western Region

Animal Care, APHIS-USDA Animal Care, APHIS-USDA

920 Main Campus Drive, Suite 200 2150 Centre Ave, Building B, Mailsop #3W11

Raleigh, NC 27606-5210 Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117

Phone: (919) 855-7100 Phone: (970) 494-7478

Fax: (919) 855-7125 Fax: (970) 494-7461 

Email: aceast@aphis.usda.gov Email: acwest@aphis.usda.gov

Headquarters

Animal Care, APHIS-USDA

4700 River Road, Unit 84

Riverdale, MD 20737-1234

Phone: (301) 851-3751

Fax: (301) 734-4978

Email: ace@aphis.usda.gov

Web page: www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare

USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, 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.