Here's how you know.
 **Official websites use .gov**
        
        A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
        
        A **lock** (  ) or **https://** means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
 National Agricultural Library
                U.S. Department of Agriculture
        
                              Secondary Links
  

        
      Ask A QuestionContact UsDigiTopSite Search
Submit Search

                              menu

                                      Main menu

      
      HomeTopicsAnimal Health and WelfareEconomics, Business, and TradeFarms and Agricultural Production SystemsHuman Nutrition and Food SafetyNatural Resources, Conservation, and EnvironmentPlant Production and GardeningRural Development and CommunitiesAll TopicsResearch ToolsNAL Catalog (AGRICOLA)PubAgAg Data CommonsNAL ThesaurusFood Data CentralFood Safety Research Projects DatabaseManuscript Collections SearchAll Research ToolsCollectionsDigital CollectionsExhibitsSpecial CollectionsStories From the CollectionGovernment DocumentsAll CollectionsDataScientific Data ServicesData Management Planning ServicesCreate a DMPDMP Feedback and ReviewFind a Data RepositoryData Management GlossaryData Management VideosServicesPublic Access and Open Science at USDAData Management PlanningAg Data Commons User GuideDigiTopBorrow MaterialsReference and ResearchAll ServicesAbout UsAbout the LibraryEventsOrganization ChartInternshipsProgram AreasContact Us Home
          Animal Health and Welfare
          Housing, Care and Welfare of AnimalsHousing, Care and Welfare of Animals

  What is Animal Welfare?
        

          
            Animal welfare refers to how an animal copes with its environment. To assess an animal's well-being, you must consider multiple factors such as, its biological functioning (i.e. health), emotional state, and its ability to express natural behaviors. It's important to provide animals with positive welfare to support their mental and physical needs and increase their quality of life.


  Animal Welfare in Federal Regulations
    

      
            To meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), the regulated community (any personnel working with animals in research, teaching, and testing) must provide animals with adequate housing, nutrition, water, handling, ventilation, sanitation, and veterinary care (7 U.S.C. § 1752(a)(2)(2022)). The Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) is authorized under the AWA to provide information that helps the regulated community meet these requirements. The information below provides guidance regarding housing, care and welfare regulations for various species used in research, teaching, and testing.


  Related Topics
        
                  These pages provide more detailed information about animal care and welfare.
    
    Animal Welfare Assessment
      Behavioral Management
      Disaster Planning
      Animal Handling
      Animal Transportation

  Guides for Animal Care and Use
        
                  These guides share care and use guidelines for laboratory and agricultural animals in research.
    
    Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals*NIH. Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.*
The purpose of the 8th edition Guide is to "assist institutions in caring for and using animals in ways judged to be scientifically, technically, and humanely appropriate." Any researchers who receive NIH funding must follow these guidelines.

    Read the OLAW Guide (PDF | 1,214 KB)
      
              Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching*Federation for Animal Science Societies (FASS).*
The 4th edition (updated in 2020) of this guide provides up-to-date scientific information regarding the care and use of agricultural animals being used in research and teaching.

    Read the FASS Guide (PDF | 3,057 KB)


  Animal Housing and Care Resources from Around the World
    
    Canadian Council of Animal Care Guidelines
              *Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC).*
CCAC shares in depth guidance for housing and care of various species from laboratory animals to captive wildlife.


      Guidelines for the Housing of Animals in Scientific Institutions (Australia)
              *NSW Department of Primary Industries. Animal Research Review Panel (ARRP).*
Published scientific information and practices are used to write best practice standards for housing research animals.


      The Macaque Website
              *National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).*
Knowledge of the natural history and behavior of Macaques can be used to assess their welfare and improve their care and management in captivity.


      Common Marmoset Care
              *University of Stirling, Primate Society of Great Britain, and National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement, & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).*
Videos and images can be used to learn about common Marmoset behavior and how to care for them in captivity.Page Content Curated By
    

      Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC)
 Footer menu
  

        
      HomeSitemapSocial MediaFacebookTwitterYouTube
          
          Government Links
            AskUSDA
  Policies and Links
  Plain Writing
  FOIA
  Accessibility Statement
  Privacy Policy
  Non-Discrimination Statement
  Civil Rights Policy
  Information Quality
  Agricultural Research Service
  USDA.gov
  USA.gov
  WhiteHouse.govSign up for ARS News updates
                Your email address