Animal Welfare Act

From Freepedia

The Animal Welfare Act, first adopted in 1966 as a result of mounting public concern about animal research, and amended in 1970, 1976, 1985, and 1990, is a federal law in the United States providing basic provisions for the handling, treatment, and transportation of some animals in certain situations: laboratory animals, zoos, circuses, puppy mills, animal transporters, and animal exhibitors. It does not include cold-blooded animals, animals bred for human consumption, or horses.

In 2002, Senator Jesse Helms introduced an amendment to the Farm Bill, excluding consideration of birds and mice from the Animal Welfare Act.

The federal agency charged with enforcing this law, as well as many other animal rights regulations, is the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.