USDA Animal Care
March 2019
Table of Contents – March 2019
Publications The Animal Welfare Act – November 2012 Compliance Inspections – February 2012 Activities with Dogs Requiring a USDA License/Registration - November 2018 Importing Live Dogs into the United States – January 2018 Daily Observation - December 2017 Incentives for Identifying, Reporting, Correcting, and Preventing Noncompliance with the AWA - May 2018 Inspection Report Appeals Process - June 2017 Puppy Socialization – September 2013 Temperature and Humidity in Dog Kennels – April 2013 Using Cage Cards to Identify Puppies and Kittens – March 2015 Brucellosis and Dog Kennels – August 2016 Animal Care Aids: Canine Periodontal Disease Monitoring Periodontal Disease in Dogs Preventative Care for Periodontal Disease in Dogs Coat Care: Preventing Matted Hair
Tools Canine Care Checklist – January 2017 Minimum Space Requirements for Dogs – May 2014 Minimum Age Requirements for Transporting Dogs and Cats – January 2017 Copy of APHIS form 7005 Copy of APHIS for 7006 Sample Copy of Completed APHIS forms 7005 and 7005 Sample of 7005 Inventory Sample of 7006 Donation Sample of 7006 Sale to Individual- Buyer Picks Up Sample of 7006 Sale Broker or Wholesaler- Shipped by IH or Carrier Sample of 7006 Sale to Individual- Shipped by Carrier
Animal Welfare Act
Animal Welfare Regulations
United States Department of Animal Care Agriculture Animal and Plant www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/ Health Inspection Factsheet Service
The Animal Welfare Act For nearly 50 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has enforced the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to protect certain animals from inhumane treatment and neglect. Congress passed the AWA in 1966 and strengthened the law through amendments in 1970, 1976, 1985, 1990, 2002, 2007, and 2008. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) administers the AWA, its standards, and its regulations.
Q The Law The AWA requires that basic standards of care and treatment be provided for certain animals bred and sold for use as pets, used in biomedical research, transported commercially, or exhibited to the public. Individuals who operate facilities in these categories must provide their animals with adequate care and treatment in the areas of housing, handling, sanitation, nutrition, water, veterinary care, and protection from extreme weather and temperatures. Although Federal requirements establish basic standards, regulated businesses are encouraged to exceed these standards. Q Exemptions The AWA regulates the care and treatment of warmblooded animals, except those (such as farm animals) that are used for food, fiber, or other agricultural purposes. Currently, coldblooded animals, such as snakes and alligators, are exempt from coverage under the Act. Animal shelters and pounds are regulated if they sell dogs or cats to dealers or research facilities. Pets owned by private citizens are not regulated. Q Pet Protection To help prevent trade in lost or stolen animals, regulated businesses are required to keep accurate records of acquisition and disposition and a description of the animals that come into their possession. Animal dealers and exhibitors also must hold the animals that they acquire from a pound or shelter for a period of 5 to 10 days to verify their origin and allow pet owners an opportunity to locate a missing pet. QAnimal Fighting The AWA prohibits staged dogfights, bear or raccoon baiting, cockfighting, and similar animal fighting ventures. QLicensing and Registration The AWA requires that all individuals or businesses dealing with animals covered under the law must be licensed or registered with APHIS. QResearch Facilities Regulated research facilities include hospitals, colleges and universities, diagnostic laboratories, and many private firms in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. In addition to providing basic standards of veterinary care and animal husbandry, regulated research facilities must provide dogs with the opportunity for exercise and promote the psychological well-being of nonhuman primates used in laboratories. Researchers must use methods to avoid or minimize discomfort, distress, and pain to the regulated animals unless withholding such methods is scientifically justified. The AWA also forbids the unnecessary duplication of previous experiments using regulated animals. Research facilities must establish an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to oversee the use of animals in experiments. This committee is responsible for ensuring that the facility remains in compliance with the AWA and for providing documentation of all areas of compliance to APHIS. The committee must be composed of at least three members, including one veterinarian and one person who is not affiliated with the facility in any way. The AWA does not permit APHIS to interrupt the conduct of actual research or experimentation.
[continued, reverse side] Animal Care Factsheet United States Department of www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/ Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
QAWA Enforcement APHIS ensures that all regulated commercial animal breeders, dealers, brokers, transportation companies, exhibitors, and research facilities are licensed or registered. APHIS also searches for unlicensed or unregistered facilities. Before APHIS will issue a license, the applicant must be in compliance with all standards and regulations under the AWA. To ensure that all licensed and registered facilities continue to comply with the Act, APHIS inspectors regularly make unannounced inspections. If an inspection reveals deficiencies in meeting the AWA standards and regulations, the inspector documents the deficiencies and instructs the facility to correct the problems within a given timeframe. If deficiencies remain uncorrected at subsequent inspections, APHIS considers legal action. APHIS also reviews and investigates alleged violations. Some cases are resolved with Official Notices of Warning or agency stipulation letters, which set civil penalties for the infractions. Civil penalties include cease-and-desist orders, fines, and license suspensions or revocations. If APHIS officials determine that an alleged AWA violation warrants additional action, APHIS submits all evidence to USDA’s Office of the General Counsel for further legal review. QCooperation In addition to conducting regular inspections, APHIS will perform inspections in response to public input about the conditions of regulated facilities. Concerned individuals are also encouraged to inform APHIS about facilities that should be licensed or registered. Many State and local governments have passed additional animal welfare legislation. The public is encouraged to work with Federal, State, and local officials as well as local humane organizations to help eliminate inhumane treatment of animals. QAdditional Information For more information about the Animal Welfare Act, contact: Animal Care, APHIS-USDA 4700 River Road, Unit 84 Riverdale, MD 20737-1234 Telephone: (301) 851-3751 Fax: (301) 734-4978 Email: ace@usda.gov Web page: www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare
November 2012
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (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, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Care APHIS 41-05-012 www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare February 2012 Factsheet
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.
Q 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.
Q 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.
Q 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.
[continued, reverse side] United States Department of Agriculture Animal Care Factsheet www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare
• 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.
Q 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: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Headquarters Animal Care, APHIS-USDA 4700 River Road, Unit 84 Riverdale, MD 20737-1234 Phone: (301) 851-3751 Fax: (301) 734-4978 Email: [email protected] 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. November 2018 Questions and Answers: Activities with Dogs Requiring a USDA License/Registration
Many individuals and businesses that sell or adopt out dogs, exhibit them to the public, transport them commercially, or use them in research must be licensed or registered under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This Tech Note lists the major types of regulated and exempt businesses, but does not cover all cases. If you have questions about your status, USDA’s Animal Care program can answer your questions and help you determine if you require a license or registration.
Question. How does the AWA pertain to dogs?
Answer. The AWA and associated regulations require a USDA license for anyone who (for compensation or profit) buys, sells (including adoption), or negotiates the sale of dogs for research, exhibition, or use as a pet; or for hunting, breeding, or security purposes at the wholesale level. Additionally, the AWA restricts the import of dogs for purposes of resale, prohibits dog-fighting ventures, and provides protections to prevent the theft of pet dogs.
Q. What does compensation mean as far as the AWA is concerned?
A. Compensation is any remuneration for the animal, regardless of whether it is for profit or not for profit. Remuneration thus includes, but is not limited to, payments, sales, adoption fees, donations, and any other benefit related to the animal. Compensation is not limited to the transfer of money if other benefits are received in connection with activities that require a license or registration.
Q. What type of license is required?
A. Your specific activities involving dogs (and other regulated animals) will determine the type of license. • A Class A licensee is a breeder whose business consists of dogs and other regulated animals bred and raised on his or her premises in a closed or stable colony (plus those acquired for the sole purpose of maintaining or enhancing the breeding colony). • A Class B licensee is a dealer or broker whose business includes the purchase and/or resale of any dog or other regulated animal. This includes brokers and auction operators because they negotiate or arrange the purchase, sale or commercial transport of dogs. • A Class C licensee is an exhibitor who displays dogs or other regulated animals to the public.
______Tech Note: Q&A Activities with Dogs Requiring a USDA License or Registration Page 1 of 3 Examples of activities requiring a USDA license include but are not limited to: • wholesale sales of dogs for use as pets or for hunting, breeding or security purposes; • transferring dogs (and receiving any compensation) to another individual, business, or organization for subsequent placement or adoption; • retail sales (including adoption) of dogs where the buyer, seller, and dog are not physically together in the same place so the person buying or acquiring the animal cannot observe it prior to purchase or taking custody; • sales (including adoption) of imported dogs where the buyer, seller, and dog are not physically together in the same place so the buyer can observe the animal prior to purchase or taking custody; • the sale of any dog not born and raised on the business owner’s premises for research purposes; and • the exhibition of more than eight dogs.
Q. When is a license not required?
A. Examples of when a USDA license is not required include but are not limited to: • retail sales (including adoptions) where the buyer, seller, and dog are physically together in the same place so the buyer can observe the animal prior to purchase or taking custody; • maintaining a total of four or fewer breeding female dogs and selling (wholesale or retail) only the offspring of these dogs (born and raised on the business owner’s premises) for pets or exhibition; • selling fewer than 25 dogs per year (that were born and raised on your premises) for research, teaching or testing purposes or to any research facility; • participating in dog races, field trials, coursing events, purebred dog shows, or fairs or exhibitions intended to advance agricultural arts and sciences; • buying (including adoption) dogs solely for your own personal use and not selling or exhibiting them; • operating a pound or shelter (or a business under contract with a pound or shelter) under the jurisdiction of a state, county, municipality, township or city (including government-operated and government-contract shelters); • selling at retail (including adoption) dogs when the purchaser uses the dogs for hunting, breeding or security purposes; and • exhibiting a dog (or dogs) that exclusively resides at the residence of the pet owner, where the owner derives less than a substantial portion of his/her income from the exhibition. Q. When is a registration required?
A. A registration is required by any person operating or intending to operate as a research facility, carrier, or intermediate handler. • A research facility is any school (except elementary or secondary), institution, organization, or person that uses or intends to use live dogs in research, tests, experiments, teaching and surgery that (1) purchases or transports live dogs in commerce, or (2) receives funds under a grant, award, loan, or contract for the purpose of carrying out research, tests, or experiments. • A carrier is the operator of any airline, railroad, motor carrier, shipping line, or other enterprise that transports any animal for hire. ______Tech Note: Q&A Activities with Dogs Requiring a USDA License or Registration Page 2 of 3 • An intermediate handler is any person, department, agency or instrumentality of the United States (or of any state or local government) receiving custody of dogs in connection with their commercial transportation.
Examples of activities requiring a registration include but are not limited to: • transporting dogs for compensation to a carrier; • transporting dogs for compensation between shelters or rescue groups for resale (including adoption); and • transporting dogs for hire to and from pet stores, veterinarian offices, etc., such as a pet taxi.
Q. Where can I get more information about becoming licensed and/or registered?
A. For more information, please contact:
USDA Animal Care USDA Animal Care 2150 Centre Ave. 920 Main Campus Drive Suite 200 Building B, Mailstop 3W11 Raleigh, NC 27606-5210 Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117 Phone: (919) 855-7100 Phone: (970) 494-7478 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
______Tech Note: Q&A Activities with Dogs Requiring a USDA License or Registration Page 3 of 3
January 2018 consider de minimis to have the standard dictionary meaning, which, according to Merriam-Webster, is “lacking significance or importance; so minor as to merit disregard.” Similarly, we consider Questions and Answers: “consideration” to have the standard dictionary Importing Live Dogs into meaning, which is defined by Merriam-Webster as “the inducement to a contract or other legal the United States transaction; specifically: An act or forbearance or the promise thereof done or given by one party in return Q: What is the Animal Welfare Act? for the act or promise of another.” A: Passed by Congress in 1966, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) seeks to ensure the humane handling, Q: Is there an exception for dogs imported by care, treatment, and transportation of certain animals rescue organizations for subsequent placement that are used or intended for use in research, in the United States? exhibition, or as pets. Registered research facilities, A: No. The AWA does not provide exceptions to the carriers, and intermediate handlers and licensed age, vaccination, or health requirements for dogs dealers and exhibitors must comply with the AWA imported into the United States for resale purposes and the regulations issued thereunder, and are by rescue organizations. subject to animal welfare compliance inspections. Q: I want to import a dog into the United States Q: Does the AWA place any restrictions on the for purposes of resale. What do I need to do to importation of live dogs? comply with Animal Care’s regulations? A: Yes. In 2008, Congress added a new section to A: Under Animal Care’s regulations, any person the AWA involving the importation of certain live importing a live dog into the continental United States dogs. As amended, the AWA prohibits the or Hawaii for purposes of resale can do so if the importation of dogs into the United States for resale following requirements are met: purposes, unless the USDA determines that the dogs • The dog is in good health; are in good health, have received all necessary • The dog is vaccinated for rabies and vaccinations, and are at least 6 months of age. The distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, AWA further provides that the USDA, by regulation, parvovirus, and parainfluenza virus (DHLPP); must provide an exception to these requirements for • The dog is at least 6 months of age; dogs imported for research purposes or veterinary • The dog is accompanied by an import permit treatment. The AWA also provides an exception to issued by APHIS; and the 6-month age requirement for dogs that are • The dog is accompanied by a health lawfully imported into Hawaii from the British Isles, certificate and rabies vaccination certificate Australia, Guam, or New Zealand, provided the dogs issued in English by a veterinarian with a are not transported out of Hawaii for purposes of valid license to practice veterinary medicine resale at less than 6 months of age. In 2014, the in the country of export. USDA’s Animal Care program established specific Please be aware that APHIS’ Veterinary Services regulations (9 C.F.R. §§ 2.150-2.153) for the and the Department of Health and Human Services’ importation of live dogs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have additional requirements for the importation of Q: What does the term “resale” mean? dogs. In addition, Animal Care has additional health A: The AWA includes a scoping definition for the certificate requirements for dogs transported term “resale.” When read in context of the commercially within the United States by dealers, requirements of that section, the term “resale” exhibitors, operators of auction sales, brokers, includes, but is not limited to, dogs imported for sale departments, agencies, or instrumentalities of the in wholesale channels, at retail, and for adoption United States or of any State or local government.1 It after arrival in the United States, as well as dogs is your responsibility to comply with all applicable imported for other purposes involving transfer of Federal, State, and local requirements. ownership or control of imported dogs to another person for more than de minimis consideration. We
1 Please see 9 C.F.R. §§ 2.38(h), 2.78, and 3.112 for transport of dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, and additional information involving the domestic marine mammals. Q. What is an import permit and how do I obtain imports the dog enters into a veterinary treatment agreement one? with Animal Care confining the animal until the conditions A: An import permit is a document issued by APHIS’ specified in the agreement are met. Animal Care program authorizing the importation of live dogs for resale purposes into the United States. Q: Are there exceptions from these requirements To obtain an import permit, you will first need to for dogs imported into Hawaii from the British submit an application form that includes such Isles, Australia, Guam, or New Zealand? information as the name and address of the A: Yes. The 6-month of age requirement does not individuals, organizations or businesses intending to apply to dogs lawfully imported into Hawaii from the export and import the dog, the number of dogs, and British Isles, Australia, Guam, and New Zealand, the date and purpose of the importation. There is no provided that the dog is not transported out of the cost for applying for or obtaining an import permit. State of Hawaii for purposes of resale at less than 6 You may request an application for an import permit months of age. by contacting Animal Care at: Q: Who should I contact for more information USDA APHIS Animal Care about Animal Care’s importation of live dogs Center for Animal Welfare regulations? 2312 East Bannister Road A: For more information, please contact Animal Care Mailstop 1180 at: Kansas City, MO 64131-3011 USDA APHIS Animal Care Phone: (816) 737-4223 Center for Animal Welfare Fax: (816) 737-4206 2312 East Bannister Road Email: [email protected] Mailstop 1180 Kansas City, MO 64131-3011 Q: Are there exceptions from these requirements for dogs imported for resale for research Phone: (816) 737-4223 purposes? Fax: (816) 737-4206 A: Yes. There are exceptions for dogs imported for Email: [email protected] resale for research purposes from the 6-month of age, vaccination, and/or good health requirements, provided that the person importing the dog submits Additional Information satisfactory evidence to Animal Care at the time of For more specific information about the Animal his or her application for an import permit that the Welfare Act and its regulations and standards, please specific requirement would interfere with the dog’s visit the USDA Animal Care website at use in research, testing, or experiments in www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare. accordance with a research proposal and the proposal has been approved by the research facility’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Q: Are there exceptions from these requirements for dogs imported for resale for veterinary treatment? A: Yes. There are exceptions for dogs imported for resale for veterinary treatment from the 6-month of age, vaccination, and/or good health requirements, provided that the veterinary treatment cannot be obtained in the country of export and the person who December 2017
Daily Observation
The Animal Welfare Act regulations (9 C.F.R. §§ 2.33(b)(3), 2.40(b)(3)) require dealers, exhibitors, and research facilities to observe all animals daily to assess their health and well- being. This may be accomplished by someone other than the attending veterinarian if a mechanism of direct and frequent communication is in place to convey timely and accurate information on problems of animal health, behavior, and well-being to the attending veterinarian.
Daily observation of all animals is part of good husbandry practices. It is extremely important that dealers, exhibitors, and research facilities meet this requirement to detect possible problems, including disease and abnormal behavior. Early detection and treatment improves animal outcomes and can save time and money. For example, an animal observed with a small laceration or wound on the day the injury occurred may only require cleaning and minimal medication and treatment, while the same laceration observed several days later may be infected and require more extensive and expensive treatment with a higher risk to the animal’s health and well-being.
This Tech Note provides helpful tips on daily observation of animals to assess their health and well-being and spotlights practices licensees and registrants use to ensure effective daily observation of animals. These helpful tips and practices are not mandatory regulatory requirements.
WHEN. Generally, it is most effective to observe and assess an animal’s health and well-being as a single and separate task, rather than combining it with other tasks or chores. If daily observations are combined with other tasks, the potential for missing something crucial increases, as the focus is on completing all of the tasks rather than observing the animal.
HOW. Observe each animal daily to assess its health and well-being. Carefully observe each animal from head to tail, including each part of its body and behavior, for abnormalities that may indicate a potential problem. Also, look at the feces, and discharge from the animal if there is any, for signs of abnormalities. Establish a consistent method for conducting your daily observations. We encourage facilities to consult with their attending veterinarian on how to perform daily observations of animals. Many facilities have found checklists and similar tools helpful for ensuring daily observations are consistent and effective in assessing animal health and well-being.
WHAT. Things to consider when conducting your observations (not limited to the following):