The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and regulations set standards 

of care and treatment for animals used in research, exhibited 

to the public, or transported in commerce. These standards 

apply to all covered animals, including those with needs 

specific to their age or species. 

Nondomestic cats in the neonatal period—aged 4 weeks 

(28 days) or younger—have special handling and husbandry 

needs. The following is guidance to help licensees and 

registrants provide care and treatment for these animals 

that meets the AWA regulatory standards.

Neonatal Health Considerations

Cats aged 4 weeks or younger lack a fully functioning 

immune system to fight off disease and infection. During 

the first few weeks of life, they obtain most immunity from 

their mother via antibody-rich colostrum in the mother’s 

milk. Neonatal cats are also unable to regulate their body 

temperature. At this young age, they depend completely 

on their mother and other external sources for warmth. 

Care and Handling Guidance

Neonatal cats should be housed with their mother for as 

long as possible after birth to promote good health. Because 

of their limited immunity, their health is at risk if they are 

exposed to other animals or offered for public contact. 

Until these animals can regulate their body temperature 

and have a fully functioning immune system, they must be 

housed in a controlled environment. This means a heated, 

clean, and sheltered enclosure (such as a nursery) or a 

clean, sheltered enclosure with the mother and any healthy 

siblings. Neonatal cats must not be exposed to any form of 

public contact, including public feeding or handling. 

AWA Regulatory Standards

Exhibitors, registrants, and dealers must handle and care 

for neonatal nondomestic cats consistent with the above 

guidance to comply with AWA requirements for veterinary 

care and handling. The regulatory citations for these 

requirements are below: 

 9 C.F.R. § 2.40(a): Each dealer or exhibitor shall have 

an attending veterinarian who shall provide adequate 

veterinary care to its animals in compliance with this 

section. 

 9 C.F.R. § 2.40(b), (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(4): Each 

dealer or exhibitor shall establish and maintain 

programs of adequate veterinary care that include: 

(1) The availability of appropriate facilities, personnel, 

equipment, and services to comply with the provisions 

of this subchapter; (2) The use of appropriate methods 

to prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseases and 

injuries, ...(4) Adequate guidance to personnel involved 

in the care and use of animals regarding handling, ...

 9 C.F.R § 2.131(b)(1): Handling of all animals shall

be done as expeditiously and carefully as possible in 

a manner that does not cause trauma, overheating, 

excessive cooling, behavioral stress, physical harm, or 

unnecessary discomfort.

Handling and Husbandry of Neonatal Nondomestic Cats

Animal Care Tech Note
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-welfare APHIS-22-026 ▪ Revised May 2022

 9 C.F.R. § 2.131(c)(1): During public exhibition, any 

animal must be handled so there is minimal risk of 

harm to the animal and to the public, with sufficient 

distance and/or barriers between the animal and the 

general viewing public so as to assure the safety of 

animals and the public. 

 9 C.F.R. § 2.131(c)(3): Young or immature animals 

shall not be exposed to rough or excessive public 

handling or exhibited for periods of time which would 

be detrimental to their health or well-being. 

 9 C.F.R. § 2.131(d)(1): Animals shall be exhibited only 

for periods of time and under conditions consistent 

with their good health and well-being. 

 9 C.F.R. § 2.131(e): When climatic conditions 

present a threat to an animal’s health or well-being, 

appropriate measures must be taken to alleviate the 

impact of those conditions. An animal may never be 

subjected to any combination of temperature, humidity, 

and time that is detrimental to the animal’s health or 

well-being, taking into consideration such factors as 

the animal’s age, species, breed, overall health status, 

and acclimation. 

For More Information

To view the full text of the AWA and the Animal Welfare 

Regulations, refer to the United States Code, Title 7, 

Chapter 54, Sections 2131–2159 and the Code of Federal 

Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Parts 1–4. 

If you have questions, contact the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture (USDA) Animal Care staff at (970) 494-7478 

or animalcare@usda.gov.