Animal Welfare Act Of 1966

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Signed by Lyndon B. Johnson, the U.S Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (AWA) (Public law 89-544) brought the welfare of stolen animals used for laboratory experiments to the forefront. It authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to regulate the transport, sale, and handling of dogs, cats, non-human primates, and other small animals such as rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs held by animal dealers and laboratories for research purposes. It also required dog and cat dealers to be licensed and provide identifications for their animals; however, there were several gaping holes in this law. Only the laboratories receiving funding for animal experimentation had to be registered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Only the animals that were being purchased or sold across state lines had to be registered and the USDA had limited authority in that they could only regulate what happened to the animals pre-research. …show more content…

It expanded the list of animals to all warm blooded animals used or intended to be used for exhibition or experimentation except for food and fiber research. It required all animals to be registered with the USDA regardless of whether they were within or across state lines. Additionally, the use of anesthesia, analgesics, and tranquilizers were to be used for a more humane treatment of animals in research. The 1976 amendment signed by Jerald Ford refined some of the previously stated standards. It outlawed the transport and use of animals (especially dogs) for fighting and placed an emphasis on setting standards for adequate ventilation and temperatures, food, water, rest, and overall humane handling and care of animals during

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