1. U.S. Code
  2. title 7
  3. chapter 54
  4. § 2131

Collapse to view only § 2131. Congressional statement of policy

§ 2131. Congressional statement of policy
The Congress finds that animals and activities which are regulated under this chapter are either in interstate or foreign commerce or substantially affect such commerce or the free flow thereof, and that regulation of animals and activities as provided in this chapter is necessary to prevent and eliminate burdens upon such commerce and to effectively regulate such commerce, in order—
(1) to insure that animals intended for use in research facilities or for exhibition purposes or for use as pets are provided humane care and treatment;
(2) to assure the humane treatment of animals during transportation in commerce; and
(3) to protect the owners of animals from the theft of their animals by preventing the sale or use of animals which have been stolen.
The Congress further finds that it is essential to regulate, as provided in this chapter, the transportation, purchase, sale, housing, care, handling, and treatment of animals by carriers or by persons or organizations engaged in using them for research or experimental purposes or for exhibition purposes or holding them for sale as pets or for any such purpose or use.
(Pub. L. 89–544, § 1(b), formerly § 1, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 350; Pub. L. 91–579, § 2, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1560; renumbered and amended Pub. L. 94–279, § 2, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 417.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2131

§ 2132. DefinitionsIn this chapter:
(a) The term “person” includes any individual, partnership, firm, joint stock company, corporation, association, trust, estate, or other legal entity.
(b) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States or his representative who shall be an employee of the United States Department of Agriculture.
(c) The term “commerce” means trade, traffic, transportation, or other commerce—
(1) between a place in a State and any place outside of such State, or between points within the same State but through any place outside thereof, or within any territory, possession, or the District of Columbia;
(2) which affects trade, traffic, transportation, or other commerce described in paragraph (1).
(d) The term “State” means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or any other territory or possession of the United States.
(e) The term “research facility” means any school (except an elementary or secondary school), institution, organization, or person that uses or intends to use live animals in research, tests, or experiments, and that (1) purchases or transports live animals in commerce, or (2) receives funds under a grant, award, loan, or contract from a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States for the purpose of carrying out research, tests, or experiments: Provided, That the Secretary may exempt, by regulation, any such school, institution, organization, or person that does not use or intend to use live dogs or cats, except those schools, institutions, organizations, or persons, which use substantial numbers (as determined by the Secretary) of live animals the principal function of which schools, institutions, organizations, or persons, is biomedical research or testing, when in the judgment of the Secretary, any such exemption does not vitiate the purpose of this chapter.
(f) The term “dealer” means any person who, in commerce, for compensation or profit, delivers for transportation, or transports, except as a carrier, buys, or sells, or negotiates the purchase or sale of, (1) any dog or other animal whether alive or dead for research, teaching, exhibition, or use as a pet, or (2) any dog for hunting, security, or breeding purposes. Such term does not include a retail pet store (other than a retail pet store which sells any animals to a research facility, an exhibitor, or another dealer).
(g) The term “animal” means any live or dead dog, cat, monkey (nonhuman primate mammal), guinea pig, hamster, rabbit, or such other warm-blooded animal, as the Secretary may determine is being used, or is intended for use, for research, testing, experimentation, or exhibition purposes, or as a pet; but such term excludes (1) birds, rats of the genus Rattus, and mice of the genus Mus, bred for use in research, (2) horses not used for research purposes, and (3) other farm animals, such as, but not limited to livestock or poultry, used or intended for use as food or fiber, or livestock or poultry used or intended for use for improving animal nutrition, breeding, management, or production efficiency, or for improving the quality of food or fiber. With respect to a dog, the term means all dogs including those used for hunting, security, or breeding purposes.
(h) The term “exhibitor” means any person (public or private) exhibiting any animals, which were purchased in commerce or the intended distribution of which affects commerce, or will affect commerce, to the public for compensation, as determined by the Secretary, and such term includes carnivals, circuses, and zoos exhibiting such animals whether operated for profit or not; but such term excludes retail pet stores, an owner of a common, domesticated household pet who derives less than a substantial portion of income from a nonprimary source (as determined by the Secretary) for exhibiting an animal that exclusively resides at the residence of the pet owner, organizations sponsoring and all persons participating in State and country fairs, livestock shows, rodeos, purebred dog and cat shows, and any other fairs or exhibitions intended to advance agricultural arts and sciences, as may be determined by the Secretary.
(i) The term “intermediate handler” means any person including a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or of any State or local government (other than a dealer, research facility, exhibitor, any person excluded from the definition of a dealer, research facility, or exhibitor, an operator of an auction sale, or a carrier) who is engaged in any business in which he receives custody of animals in connection with their transportation in commerce.
(j) The term “carrier” means the operator of any airline, railroad, motor carrier, shipping line, or other enterprise, which is engaged in the business of transporting any animals for hire.
(k) The term “Federal agency” means an Executive agency as such term is defined in section 105 of title 5, and with respect to any research facility means the agency from which the research facility receives a Federal award for the conduct of research, experimentation, or testing, involving the use of animals.
(l) The term “Federal award for the conduct of research, experimentation, or testing, involving the use of animals” means any mechanism (including a grant, award, loan, contract, or cooperative agreement) under which Federal funds are provided to support the conduct of such research.
(m) The term “quorum” means a majority of the Committee members.
(n) The term “Committee” means the Institutional Animal Committee established under section 2143(b) of this title.
(o) The term “Federal research facility” means each department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States which uses live animals for research or experimentation.
(Pub. L. 89–544, § 2, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 350; Pub. L. 91–579, § 3, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1560; Pub. L. 94–279, §§ 3, 4, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 417, 418; Pub. L. 99–198, title XVII, § 1756(a), Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1650; Pub. L. 107–171, title X, § 10301, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 491; Pub. L. 112–261, § 1, Jan. 10, 2013, 126 Stat. 2428; Pub. L. 113–79, title XII, § 12308(a)(1), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 990.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2132

§ 2133. Licensing of dealers and exhibitors

The Secretary shall issue licenses to dealers and exhibitors upon application therefor in such form and manner as he may prescribe and upon payment of such fee established pursuant to 2153 of this title: Provided, That no such license shall be issued until the dealer or exhibitor shall have demonstrated that his facilities comply with the standards promulgated by the Secretary pursuant to section 2143 of this title: Provided, however, That a dealer or exhibitor shall not be required to obtain a license as a dealer or exhibitor under this chapter if the size of the business is determined by the Secretary to be de minimis. The Secretary is further authorized to license, as dealers or exhibitors, persons who do not qualify as dealers or exhibitors within the meaning of this chapter upon such persons’ complying with the requirements specified above and agreeing, in writing, to comply with all the requirements of this chapter and the regulations promulgated by the Secretary hereunder.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 3, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 91–579, § 4, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1561; Pub. L. 113–79, title XII, § 12308(a)(2), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 990.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2133

§ 2134. Valid license for dealers and exhibitors required

No dealer or exhibitor shall sell or offer to sell or transport or offer for transportation, in commerce, to any research facility or for exhibition or for use as a pet any animal, or buy, sell, offer to buy or sell, transport or offer for transportation, in commerce, to or from another dealer or exhibitor under this chapter any animals, unless and until such dealer or exhibitor shall have obtained a license from the Secretary and such license shall not have been suspended or revoked.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 4, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 91–579, § 5, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1561; Pub. L. 94–279, § 5, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 418.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2134

§ 2135. Time period for disposal of dogs or cats by dealers or exhibitors

No dealer or exhibitor shall sell or otherwise dispose of any dog or cat within a period of five business days after the acquisition of such animal or within such other period as may be specified by the Secretary: Provided, That operators of auction sales subject to section 2142 of this title shall not be required to comply with the provisions of this section.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 5, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 91–579, § 6, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1561.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2135

§ 2136. Registration of research facilities, handlers, carriers and unlicensed exhibitors

Every research facility, every intermediate handler, every carrier, and every exhibitor not licensed under section 2133 of this title shall register with the Secretary in accordance with such rules and regulations as he may prescribe.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 6, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 91–579, § 7, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1561; Pub. L. 94–279, § 6, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 418.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2136

§ 2137. Purchase of dogs or cats by research facilities prohibited except from authorized operators of auction sales and licensed dealers or exhibitors

It shall be unlawful for any research facility to purchase any dog or cat from any person except an operator of an auction sale subject to section 2142 of this title or a person holding a valid license as a dealer or exhibitor issued by the Secretary pursuant to this chapter unless such person is exempted from obtaining such license under section 2133 of this title.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 7, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 91–579, § 8, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1561.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2137

§ 2138. Purchase of dogs or cats by United States Government facilities prohibited except from authorized operators of auction sales and licensed dealers or exhibitors

No department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States which uses animals for research or experimentation or exhibition shall purchase or otherwise acquire any dog or cat for such purposes from any person except an operator of an auction sale subject to section 2142 of this title or a person holding a valid license as a dealer or exhibitor issued by the Secretary pursuant to this chapter unless such person is exempted from obtaining such license under

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 8, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 91–579, § 9, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1562.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2138

§ 2139. Principal-agent relationship established

When construing or enforcing the provisions of this chapter, the act, omission, or failure of any person acting for or employed by a research facility, a dealer, or an exhibitor or a person licensed as a dealer or an exhibitor pursuant to the second sentence of section 2133 of this title, or an operator of an auction sale subject to section 2142 of this title, or an intermediate handler, or a carrier, within the scope of his employment or office, shall be deemed the act, omission, or failure of such research facility, dealer, exhibitor, licensee, operator of an auction sale, intermediate handler, or carrier, as well as of such person.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 9, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 91–579, § 10, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1562; Pub. L. 94–279, § 7, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 418.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2139

§ 2140. Recordkeeping by dealers, exhibitors, research facilities, intermediate handlers, and carriers

Dealers and exhibitors shall make and retain for such reasonable period of time as the Secretary may prescribe, such records with respect to the purchase, sale, transportation, identification, and previous ownership of animals as the Secretary may prescribe. Research facilities shall make and retain such records only with respect to the purchase, sale, transportation, identification, and previous ownership of live dogs and cats. At the request of the Secretary, any regulatory agency of the Federal Government which requires records to be maintained by intermediate handlers and carriers with respect to the transportation, receiving, handling, and delivery of animals on forms prescribed by the agency, shall require there to be included in such forms, and intermediate handlers and carriers shall include in such forms, such information as the Secretary may require for the effective administration of this chapter. Such information shall be retained for such reasonable period of time as the Secretary may prescribe. If regulatory agencies of the Federal Government do not prescribe requirements for any such forms, intermediate handlers and carriers shall make and retain for such reasonable period  as  the  Secretary  may  prescribe  such records with respect to the transportation, receiving, handling, and delivery of animals as the Secretary may prescribe. Such records shall be made available at all reasonable times for inspection and copying by the Secretary.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 10, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 91–579, § 11, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1562; Pub. L. 94–279, § 8, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 418.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2140

§ 2141. Marking and identification of animals

All animals delivered for transportation, transported, purchased, or sold, in commerce, by a dealer or exhibitor shall be marked or identified at such time and in such humane manner as the Secretary may prescribe: Provided, That only live dogs and cats need be so marked or identified by a research facility.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 11, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 91–579, § 12, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1562; Pub. L. 94–279, § 5, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 418.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2141

§ 2142. Humane standards and recordkeeping requirements at auction sales

The Secretary is authorized to promulgate humane standards and recordkeeping requirements governing the purchase, handling, or sale of animals, in commerce, by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors at auction sales and by the operators of such auction sales. The Secretary is also authorized to require the licensing of operators of auction sales where any dogs or cats are sold, in commerce, under such conditions as he may prescribe, and upon payment of such fee as prescribed by the Secretary under section 2153 of this title.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 12, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 91–579, § 13, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1562; Pub. L. 94–279, § 5, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 418.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2142

§ 2143. Standards and certification process for humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals
(a) Promulgation of standards, rules, regulations, and orders; requirements; research facilities; State authority
(1) The Secretary shall promulgate standards to govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors.
(2) The standards described in paragraph (1) shall include minimum requirements—
(A) for handling, housing, feeding, watering, sanitation, ventilation, shelter from extremes of weather and temperatures, adequate veterinary care, and separation by species where the Secretary finds necessary for humane handling, care, or treatment of animals; and
(B) for exercise of dogs, as determined by an attending veterinarian in accordance with general standards promulgated by the Secretary, and for a physical environment adequate to promote the psychological well-being of primates.
(3) In addition to the requirements under paragraph (2), the standards described in paragraph (1) shall, with respect to animals in research facilities, include requirements—
(A) for animal care, treatment, and practices in experimental procedures to ensure that animal pain and distress are minimized, including adequate veterinary care with the appropriate use of anesthetic, analgesic, tranquilizing drugs, or euthanasia;
(B) that the principal investigator considers alternatives to any procedure likely to produce pain to or distress in an experimental animal;
(C) in any practice which could cause pain to animals—
(i) that a doctor of veterinary medicine is consulted in the planning of such procedures;
(ii) for the use of tranquilizers, analgesics, and anesthetics;
(iii) for pre-surgical and post-surgical care by laboratory workers, in accordance with established veterinary medical and nursing procedures;
(iv) against the use of paralytics without anesthesia; and
(v) that the withholding of tranquilizers, anesthesia, analgesia, or euthanasia when scientifically necessary shall continue for only the necessary period of time;
(D) that no animal is used in more than one major operative experiment from which it is allowed to recover except in cases of—
(i) scientific necessity; or
(ii) other special circumstances as determined by the Secretary; and
(E) that exceptions to such standards may be made only when specified by research protocol and that any such exception shall be detailed and explained in a report outlined under paragraph (7) and filed with the Institutional Animal Committee.
(4) The Secretary shall also promulgate standards to govern the transportation in commerce, and the handling, care, and treatment in connection therewith, by intermediate handlers, air carriers, or other carriers, of animals consigned by any dealer, research facility, exhibitor, operator of an auction sale, or other person, or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or of any State or local government, for transportation in commerce. The Secretary shall have authority to promulgate such rules and regulations as he determines necessary to assure humane treatment of animals in the course of their transportation in commerce including requirements such as those with respect to containers, feed, water, rest, ventilation, temperature, and handling.
(5) In promulgating and enforcing standards established pursuant to this section, the Secretary is authorized and directed to consult experts, including outside consultants where indicated.
(6)
(A) Nothing in this chapter—
(i) except as provided in paragraphs 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “paragraph”.
(7) of this subsection, shall be construed as authorizing the Secretary to promulgate rules, regulations, or orders with regard to the design, outlines, or guidelines of actual research or experimentation by a research facility as determined by such research facility;
(ii) except as provided 2
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by “in”.
subparagraphs (A) and (C)(ii) through (v) of paragraph (3) and paragraph (7) of this subsection, shall be construed as authorizing the Secretary to promulgate rules, regulations, or orders with regard to the performance of actual research or experimentation by a research facility as determined by such research facility; and
(iii) shall authorize the Secretary, during inspection, to interrupt the conduct of actual research or experimentation.
(B) No rule, regulation, order, or part of this chapter shall be construed to require a research facility to disclose publicly or to the Institutional Animal Committee during its inspection, trade secrets or commercial or financial information which is privileged or confidential.
(7)
(A) The Secretary shall require each research facility to show upon inspection, and to report at least annually, that the provisions of this chapter are being followed and that professionally acceptable standards governing the care, treatment, and use of animals are being followed by the research facility during actual research or experimentation.
(B) In complying with subparagraph (A), such research facilities shall provide—
(i) information on procedures likely to produce pain or distress in any animal and assurances demonstrating that the principal investigator considered alternatives to those procedures;
(ii) assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that such facility is adhering to the standards described in this section; and
(iii) an explanation for any deviation from the standards promulgated under this section.
(8) Paragraph (1) shall not prohibit any State (or a political subdivision of such State) from promulgating standards in addition to those standards promulgated by the Secretary under paragraph (1).
(b) Research facility Committee; establishment, membership, functions, etc.
(1) The Secretary shall require that each research facility establish at least one Committee. Each Committee shall be appointed by the chief executive officer of each such research facility and shall be composed of not fewer than three members. Such members shall possess sufficient ability to assess animal care, treatment, and practices in experimental research as determined by the needs of the research facility and shall represent society’s concerns regarding the welfare of animal subjects used at such facility. Of the members of the Committee—
(A) at least one member shall be a doctor of veterinary medicine;
(B) at least one member—
(i) shall not be affiliated in any way with such facility other than as a member of the Committee;
(ii) shall not be a member of the immediate family of a person who is affiliated with such facility; and
(iii) is intended to provide representation for general community interests in the proper care and treatment of animals; and
(C) in those cases where the Committee consists of more than three members, not more than three members shall be from the same administrative unit of such facility.
(2) A quorum shall be required for all formal actions of the Committee, including inspections under paragraph (3).
(3) The Committee shall inspect at least semiannually all animal study areas and animal facilities of such research facility and review as part of the inspection—
(A) practices involving pain to animals, and
(B) the condition of animals,
to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter to minimize pain and distress to animals. Exceptions to the requirement of inspection of such study areas may be made by the Secretary if animals are studied in their natural environment and the study area is prohibitive to easy access.
(4)
(A) The Committee shall file an inspection certification report of each inspection at the research facility. Such report shall—
(i) be signed by a majority of the Committee members involved in the inspection;
(ii) include reports of any violation of the standards promulgated, or assurances required, by the Secretary, including any deficient conditions of animal care or treatment, any deviations of research practices from originally approved proposals that adversely affect animal welfare, any notification to the facility regarding such conditions, and any corrections made thereafter;
(iii) include any minority views of the Committee; and
(iv) include any other information pertinent to the activities of the Committee.
(B) Such report shall remain on file for at least three years at the research facility and shall be available for inspection by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and any funding Federal agency.
(C) In order to give the research facility an opportunity to correct any deficiencies or deviations discovered by reason of paragraph (3), the Committee shall notify the administrative representative of the research facility of any deficiencies or deviations from the provisions of this chapter. If, after notification and an opportunity for correction, such deficiencies or deviations remain uncorrected, the Committee shall notify (in writing) the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the funding Federal agency of such deficiencies or deviations.
(5) The inspection results shall be available to Department of Agriculture inspectors for review during inspections. Department of Agriculture inspectors shall forward any Committee inspection records which include reports of uncorrected deficiencies or deviations to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and any funding Federal agency of the project with respect to which such uncorrected deficiencies and deviations occurred.
(c) Federal research facilities; establishment, composition, and responsibilities of Federal CommitteeIn the case of Federal research facilities, a Federal Committee shall be established and shall have the same composition and responsibilities provided in subsection (b), except that the Federal Committee shall report deficiencies or deviations to the head of the Federal agency conducting the research rather than to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The head of the Federal agency conducting the research shall be responsible for—
(1) all corrective action to be taken at the facility; and
(2) the granting of all exceptions to inspection protocol.
(d) Training of scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved with animal care and treatment at research facilitiesEach research facility shall provide for the training of scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved with animal care and treatment in such facility as required by the Secretary. Such training shall include instruction on—
(1) the humane practice of animal maintenance and experimentation;
(2) research or testing methods that minimize or eliminate the use of animals or limit animal pain or distress;
(3) utilization of the information service at the National Agricultural Library, established under subsection (e); and
(4) methods whereby deficiencies in animal care and treatment should be reported.
(e) Establishment of information service at National Agricultural Library; service functionsThe Secretary shall establish an information service at the National Agricultural Library. Such service shall, in cooperation with the National Library of Medicine, provide information—
(1) pertinent to employee training;
(2) which could prevent unintended duplication of animal experimentation as determined by the needs of the research facility; and
(3) on improved methods of animal experimentation, including methods which could—
(A) reduce or replace animal use; and
(B) minimize pain and distress to animals, such as anesthetic and analgesic procedures.
(f)3
3 So in original. Two subsecs. (f) have been enacted.
Suspension or revocation of Federal support for research projects; prerequisites; appeal procedure
(f)3 Veterinary certificate; contents; exceptions
(g) Age of animals delivered to registered research facilities; power of Secretary to designate additional classes of animals and age limits
(h) Prohibition of C.O.D. arrangements for transportation of animals in commerce; exceptions
(Pub. L. 89–544, § 13, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 352; Pub. L. 91–579, § 14, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1562; Pub. L. 94–279, §§ 9, 10, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 418, 419; Pub. L. 99–198, title XVII, § 1752, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1645.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2143

§ 2144. Humane standards for animals by United States Government facilities

Any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States having laboratory animal facilities shall comply with the standards and other requirements promulgated by the Secretary for a research facility under sections 1

1 So in original. Probably should be “section”.
2143(a), (f), (g), and (h) of this title. Any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States exhibiting animals shall comply with the standards promulgated by the Secretary under sections 1 2143(a), (f), (g), and (h) of this title.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 14, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 352; Pub. L. 91–579, § 15, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1563; Pub. L. 94–279, § 19, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 99–198, title XVII, § 1758, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1650.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2144

§ 2145. Consultation and cooperation with Federal, State, and local governmental bodies by Secretary of Agriculture
(a) The Secretary shall consult and cooperate with other Federal departments, agencies, or instrumentalities concerned with the welfare of animals used for research, experimentation or exhibition, or administration of statutes regulating the transportation in commerce or handling in connection therewith of any animals when establishing standards pursuant to section 2143 of this title and in carrying out the purposes of this chapter. The Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services prior to issuance of regulations. Before promulgating any standard governing the air transportation and handling in connection therewith, of animals, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Transportation who shall have the authority to disapprove any such standard if he notifies the Secretary, within 30 days after such consultation, that changes in its provisions are necessary in the interest of flight safety. The Surface Transportation Board, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Federal Maritime Commission, to the extent of their respective lawful authorities, shall take such action as is appropriate to implement any standard established by the Secretary with respect to a person subject to regulation by it.
(b) The Secretary is authorized to cooperate with the officials of the various States or political subdivisions thereof in carrying out the purposes of this chapter and of any State, local, or municipal legislation or ordinance on the same subject.
(Pub. L. 89–544, § 15, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 352; Pub. L. 91–579, § 16, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1563; Pub. L. 94–279, § 11, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 419; Pub. L. 98–443, § 9(i), Oct. 4, 1984, 98 Stat. 1708; Pub. L. 99–198, title XVII, § 1757, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1650; Pub. L. 104–88, title III, § 312, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 948.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2145

§ 2146. Administration and enforcement by Secretary
(a) Investigations and inspections
(b) Penalties for interfering with official duties
(c) Procedures
(Pub. L. 89–544, § 16, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 352; Pub. L. 91–579, § 17, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1563; Pub. L. 94–279, § 12, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 420; Pub. L. 99–198, title XVII, § 1753, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1649; Pub. L. 101–624, title XXV, § 2503(1), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4066.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2146

§ 2146a. Searchable database requirementsThe Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law:
(a) within 60 calendar days, restore on its website the searchable database and its contents that were available on January 30, 2017, and all span generated since that date; and
(b) hereafter, make publicly available via searchable database, in their entirety without redactions except signatures, the following records:
(1) all final Animal Welfare Act inspection reports, including all reports documenting all Animal Welfare Act violations and non-compliances observed by USDA officials and all animal inventories for the current year and the preceding three years;
(2) all final Animal Welfare Act and Horse Protection Act enforcement records for the current year and the preceding three years;
(3) all reports or other materials documenting any violations and non-compliances observed by USDA officials for the current year and the preceding three years; and
(4) within six months of receipt by the agency, all final Animal Welfare Act research facility annual reports, including their attachments with appropriate redactions made for confidential business information that USDA could withhold under FOIA Exemption 4.
(Pub. L. 116–94, div. B, title VII, § 788, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2657; Pub. L. 117–103, div. A, title VII, § 765, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 98.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2146a

§ 2147. Inspection by legally constituted law enforcement agencies

The Secretary shall promulgate rules and regulations requiring dealers, exhibitors, research facilities, and operators of auction sales subject to section 2142 of this title to permit inspection of their animals and records at reasonable hours upon request by legally constituted law enforcement agencies in search of lost animals.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 17, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 352; Pub. L. 91–579, § 18, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1564.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2147

§ 2148. Importation of live dogs
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Importer
(2) Resale
(b) Requirements
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall import a dog into the United States for purposes of resale unless, as determined by the Secretary, the dog—
(A) is in good health;
(B) has received all necessary vaccinations; and
(C) is at least 6 months of age, if imported for resale.
(2) Exception
(A) In general
The Secretary, by regulation, shall provide an exception to any requirement under paragraph (1) in any case in which a dog is imported for—
(i) research purposes; or
(ii) veterinary treatment.
(B) Lawful importation into Hawaii
(c) Implementation and regulations
(d) Enforcement
An importer that fails to comply with this section shall—
(1) be subject to penalties under section 2149 of this title; and
(2) provide for the care (including appropriate veterinary care), forfeiture, and adoption of each applicable dog, at the expense of the importer.
(Pub. L. 89–544, § 18, as added Pub. L. 110–234, title XIV, § 14210(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1464, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIV, § 14210(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2226.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2148

§ 2149. Violations by licensees
(a) Temporary license suspension; notice and hearing; revocation
(b) Civil penalties for violation of any section, etc.; separate offenses; notice and hearing; appeal; considerations in assessing penalty; compromise of penalty; civil action by Attorney General for failure to pay penalty; district court jurisdiction; failure to obey cease and desist order
(c) Appeal of final order by aggrieved person; limitations; exclusive jurisdiction of United States Courts of Appeals
(d) Criminal penalties for violation; initial prosecution brought before United States magistrate judges; conduct of prosecution by attorneys of United States Department of Agriculture
(Pub. L. 89–544, § 19, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 352; Pub. L. 91–579, § 20, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1564; Pub. L. 94–279, § 13, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 420; Pub. L. 99–198, title XVII, § 1755, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1650; Pub. L. 101–650, title III, § 321, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5117; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIV, § 14214, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1466; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIV, § 14214, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2228.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2149

§ 2150. Repealed. Pub. L. 94–279, § 14, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 421

CITE AS: 7 USC 2150

§ 2151. Rules and regulations

The Secretary is authorized to promulgate such rules, regulations, and orders as he may deem necessary in order to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 21, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 353.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2151

§ 2152. Separability

If any provision of this chapter or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, the remainder of this chapter and the application of any such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 22, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 353.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2152

§ 2153. Fees and authorization of appropriations

The Secretary shall charge, assess, and cause to be collected reasonable fees for licenses issued. Such fees shall be adjusted on an equitable basis taking into consideration the type and nature of the operations to be licensed and shall be deposited and covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such funds as Congress may from time to time provide: Provided, That there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture for enforcement by the Department of Agriculture of the provisions of section 2156 of this title an amount not to exceed $100,000 for the transition quarter ending September 30, 1976, and not to exceed $400,000 for each fiscal year thereafter.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 23, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 353; Pub. L. 94–279, § 18, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 423.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2153

§ 2154. Effective dates

The regulations referred to in sections 2140 and 2143 of this title shall be prescribed by the Secretary as soon as reasonable but not later than six months from August 24, 1966. Additions and amendments thereto may be prescribed from time to time as may be necessary or advisable. Compliance by dealers with the provisions of this chapter and such regulations shall commence ninety days after the promulgation of such regulations. Compliance by research facilities with the provisions of this chapter and such regulations shall commence six months after the promulgation of such regulations, except that the Secretary may grant extensions of time to research facilities which do not comply with the standards prescribed by the Secretary pursuant to section 2143 of this title provided that the Secretary determines that there is evidence that the research facilities will meet such standards within a reasonable time. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, compliance by intermediate handlers, and carriers, and other persons with those provisions of this chapter, as amended by the Animal Welfare Act Amendments of 1976, and those regulations promulgated thereunder, which relate to actions of intermediate handlers and carriers, shall commence 90 days after promulgation of regulations under section 2143 of this title, as amended, with respect to intermediate handlers and carriers, and such regulations shall be promulgated no later than 9 months after April 22, 1976; and compliance by dealers, exhibitors, operators of auction sales, and research facilities with other provisions of this chapter, as so amended, and the regulations thereunder, shall commence upon the expiration of 90 days after April 22, 1976: Provided, however, That compliance by all persons with subsections (b), (c), and (d) of section 2143 and with section 2156 of this title, as so amended, shall commence upon the expiration of said ninety-day period. In all other respects, said amendments shall become effective on April 22, 1976.

(Pub. L. 89–544, § 24, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 353; Pub. L. 94–279, § 15, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 421.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2154

§ 2155. Omitted

CITE AS: 7 USC 2155

§ 2156. Animal fighting venture prohibition
(a) Sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in, attending, or causing an individual who has not attained the age of 16 to attend, an animal fighting venture
(1) Sponsoring or exhibiting
(2) Attending or causing an individual who has not attained the age of 16 to attend
It shall be unlawful for any person to—
(A) knowingly attend an animal fighting venture; or
(B) knowingly cause an individual who has not attained the age of 16 to attend an animal fighting venture.
(b) Buying, selling, delivering, possessing, training, or transporting animals for participation in animal fighting venture
(c) Use of Postal Service or other interstate instrumentality for promoting or furthering animal fighting venture
(d) Buying, selling, delivering, or transporting sharp instruments for use in animal fighting venture
(e) Investigation of violations by Secretary; assistance by other Federal agencies; issuance of search warrant; forfeiture; costs recoverable in forfeiture or civil action
(f) Definitions
In this section—
(1) the term “animal fighting venture” means any event, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, that involves a fight conducted or to be conducted between at least 2 animals for purposes of sport, wagering, or entertainment, except that the term “animal fighting venture” shall not be deemed to include any activity the primary purpose of which involves the use of one or more animals in hunting another animal;
(2) the term “instrumentality of interstate commerce” means any written, wire, radio, television or other form of communication in, or using a facility of, interstate commerce;
(3) the term “State” means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession of the United States; 2
2 So in original. The word “and” probably should appear.
(4) the term “animal” means any live bird, or any live mammal, except man.
(g) Relationship to other provisions
(h) Conflict with State law
(1) In general
(2) Omitted
(i) Criminal penalties
(Pub. L. 89–544, § 26, as added Pub. L. 94–279, § 17, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 421; amended Pub. L. 101–650, title III, § 321, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5117; Pub. L. 107–171, title X, §§ 10302(a), 10303(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 491, 492; Pub. L. 110–22, § 3, May 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 88;

CITE AS: 7 USC 2156

§ 2157. Release of trade secrets
(a) Release of confidential information prohibited
It shall be unlawful for any member of an Institutional Animal Committee to release any confidential information of the research facility including any information that concerns or relates to—
(1) the trade secrets, processes, operations, style of work, or apparatus; or
(2) the identity, confidential statistical data, amount or source of any income, profits, losses, or expenditures,
of the research facility.
(b) Wrongful use of confidential information prohibited
It shall be unlawful for any member of such Committee—
(1) to use or attempt to use to his advantages; or
(2) to reveal to any other person,
any information which is entitled to protection as confidential information under subsection (a).
(c) Penalties
A violation of subsection (a) or (b) is punishable by—
(1) removal from such Committee; and
(2)
(A) a fine of not more than $1,000 and imprisonment of not more than one year; or
(B) if such violation is willful, a fine of not more than $10,000 and imprisonment of not more than three years.
(d) Recovery of damages by injured person; costs; attorney’s fee
(e) Other rights and remedies
(Pub. L. 89–544, § 27, as added Pub. L. 99–198, title XVII, § 1754, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1649.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2157

§ 2158. Protection of pets
(a) Holding period
(1) Requirement
(2) Entities describedAn entity subject to paragraph (1) is—
(A) each State, county, or city owned and operated pound or shelter;
(B) each private entity established for the purpose of caring for animals, such as a humane society, or other organization that is under contract with a State, county, or city that operates as a pound or shelter and that releases animals on a voluntary basis; and
(C) each research facility licensed by the Department of Agriculture.
(b) Certification
(1) In general
(2) RequirementsA valid certification shall contain—
(A) the name, address, and Department of Agriculture license or registration number (if such number exists) of the dealer;
(B) the name, address, Department of Agriculture license or registration number (if such number exists), and the signature of the recipient of the dog or cat;
(C) a description of the dog or cat being provided that shall include—
(i) the species and breed or type of such;
(ii) the sex of such;
(iii) the date of birth (if known) of such;
(iv) the color and any distinctive marking of such; and
(v) any other information that the Secretary by regulation shall determine to be appropriate;
(D) the name and address of the person, pound, or shelter from which the dog or cat was purchased or otherwise acquired by the dealer, and an assurance that such person, pound, or shelter was notified that such dog or cat may be used for research or educational purposes;
(E) the date of the purchase or acquisition referred to in subparagraph (D);
(F) a statement by the pound or shelter (if the dealer acquired the dog or cat from such) that it satisfied the requirements of subsection (a); and
(G) any other information that the Secretary of Agriculture by regulation shall determine appropriate.
(3) Records
(4) Transfers
(5) Modification
(c) Enforcement
(1) In general
(2) Subsequent violations
(3) Permanent revocations
(d) Regulation
(Pub. L. 89–544, § 28, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XXV, § 2503(2), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4066; amended

CITE AS: 7 USC 2158

§ 2159. Authority to apply for injunctions
(a) Request
(b) Issuance
(Pub. L. 89–544, § 29, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XXV, § 2503(2), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4067.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2159

§ 2160. Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption
(a) In generalExcept as provided in subsection (c), no person may—
(1) knowingly slaughter a dog or cat for human consumption; or
(2) knowingly ship, transport, move, deliver, receive, possess, purchase, sell, or donate—
(A) a dog or cat to be slaughtered for human consumption; or
(B) a dog or cat part for human consumption.
(b) ScopeSubsection (a) shall apply only with respect to conduct—
(1) in or affecting interstate commerce or foreign commerce; or
(2) within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
(c) Exception for Indian tribes
(d) Penalty
(e) Effect on State lawNothing in this section—
(1) limits any State or local law or regulation protecting the welfare of animals; or
(2) prevents a State or unit of local government from adopting and enforcing an animal welfare law or regulation that is more stringent than this section.
(Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, § 12515, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 5000.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2160