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APHIS 41-35-079 ▪ Issued April 2021 

As an attending veterinarian, you are one of the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) most important 

partners in assuring the humane care and treatment of 

animals. Your role is more comprehensive than providing 

medical care to sick animals. You are also responsible 

for providing important guidance to help licensees and 

registrants keep their animals healthy. 

Authority 

Facilities regulated under the Animal Welfare Act must 

hire an attending veterinarian and give them adequate 

authority to ensure animal health and well-being. This 

means regulated facilities must inform you of any animal 

health issues and follow your guidance and instructions. 

Your authority also includes access to all animals and 

resources needed to manage care. For example, facilities 

must make appropriate staffing, facilities, and equipment 

for adequate veterinary care available, including areas to

safely handle animals and any needed capture equipment. 

Scope of Duties

In addition to providing medical care, the attending 

veterinarian is responsible for:

 Visiting the facility as often as needed to ensure 

animals are receiving adequate care. Visits must 

occur at least annually at facilities with dogs.

 Working with the facility to establish effective health 

and husbandry practices. Topics to consider include:

● Appropriate ventilation, temperature and humidity, 

sanitation, and animal density 

● Routine health monitoring 

● Nutrition, especially for exotic species

● Pest and vector control measures

● External and internal parasite control 

● Effective biosecurity practices

● Proper use, storage, and handling of medications, 

including analgesics/sedatives

● Safe handling practices, including capture and 

restraint for wild or difficult animals 

● Euthanasia methods

● Dental care

● Reproduction, neonatal care, and management 

of congenital conditions

 Documenting your guidance in a written program of

 veterinary care. This is the best way to ensure your 

 guidance is followed. A written program is required for:

● Dogs, including a vaccination schedule, parasite 

sampling and treatment schedule, and directions 

for maintaining healthy coats, nails, eyes, ears, skin, 

and teeth.

● All covered animals, when the attending veterinarian 

is employed part time. 

 Overseeing or carrying out other requirements for

 specific species:

Dogs A written exercise plan 

Annual physical exams (complete exam from 

head to tail)

Medical records (maintained by the facility)

Nonhuman 

Primates

A written environment enhancement plan for 

psychological well-being

Marine 

Mammals

Housing including size, social grouping, and 

water quality

Regular physical exams and visual assessments

Necropsy of all marine mammals that die in 

captivity

While the Animal Welfare Act gives attending veterinarians 

broad authority, the licensee or registrant is the one 

ultimately held responsible for complying with the law. 

Learn More

For more information on the role of attending veterinarians, 

visit www.aphis.usda.gov/animalwelfare/av. 

The Attending Veterinarian

Animal Care Tech Note