Transcript LATG: A Review of the Animal Welfare Act

LATG:
A Review of the
Animal Welfare Act
Created by
Marc S. Hulin, DVM, Dipl. ACLAM
History of AWA
• Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (PL# 89-544):
– designed to stop “pet napping”
– applied to dog & cats dealers; research facilities
that used dogs and cats
• Animal Welfare Act (PL# 91-579) amended in 1970:
– expanded to cover hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits,
NHP & other warm-blooded species
– cover animals while on study
– cover use in teaching and exhibition
History of AWA
• 1976 Amendment (PL#94-279):
– carriers were covered & transportation
standards were set
– expanded to cover Marine Mammals
History of AWA
• Food Security Act of 1985 (PL# 99-198):
– aka “Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals”
– mandated training of all personnel using animals
in research
– defined duties & composition of the IACUC
– developed standards for exercise of dogs &
psychological well-being of NHP
– defined one major operative procedure only:
unless scientifically justified or vet. procedure
– established Animal Welfare Information Center
(AWIC) to prevent unnecessary duplication
History of AWA
• Protection of Pets-1990 Amendment:
– attached to Food, Agriculture,
Conservation and Trade Act (PL # 101624)
– mandated a minimum holding period of 5
days for pounds and shelters before
providing any live cat or dog to a “Class B”
dealer
APHIS & AWA
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS):
– enforcement of the standards and regulations of
the AWA
• Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care (REAC):
– group within APHIS that administers Federal laws
concerning transportation, sale, and handling of
animals used in lab research
– NOTE: USDA inspections are unannounced and
conducted annually
Part 1- Definition of Terms
• Animal:
– any live or dead dog, cat, NHP, guinea pig,
hamster, rabbit or any other warm-blooded
animal intended for use in research
– term excludes: birds, rats of the genus
Rattus and mice of the genus Mus bred for
research
– also excludes horses not used for research
purposes and other farm animals intended
for use as food or fiber
Part 1- Definition of Terms
• Class “A” dealer (purpose bred):
– breed and raise animals in a closed or
stable colony
• Class “B” dealer (random source):
– purchase and/or resale of any animal for
the purpose of research
• Class “C” dealer (exhibitor):
– showing or displaying of animals to the
public
Part 1- Definition of Terms
• Field study:
– study conducted on free-living wild animals
in their natural habitat; which does not
involve invasive procedures, and which
does not harm or materially alter the
behavior of the animals under study
• Institutional Official:
– individual at a research facility who is
authorized to legally commit on behalf of
research facility that requirements of AWA
will be met.
Part 1- Definition of Terms
• Major operative procedure:
– any surgical procedure that penetrates and
exposes a body cavity or any procedure
which produces permanent impairment of
physical or physiological functions
• Painful procedure:
– any procedure that would reasonably be
expected to cause more than slight or
momentary pain or distress in a human
being
Part 1- Definition of Terms
• Random sources:
– dogs & cats obtained from animal pounds
or shelters, auction sales, or from any
person who did not breed & raise them on
his or her premises
• Primary enclosures:
– any structure or device used to restrict an
animal or animals, such as a room, pen, or
cage.
Part 1- Definition of Terms
• Study area:
– any room, area, enclosure, or other
containment outside of a main animal
facility where animals are housed for more
than 12 hours.
– NOTE: PHS Policy defines as 24 hrs.
Part 2- Regulations
• This part sets forth requirements for
registration & licensing under the Act,
adequate veterinary care, handling,
holding, facilities, identification of
animals, and recordkeeping
Subpart A- Licensing
• Persons operating or desiring to operate as dealers,
exhibitors, or operators of auction sales must be
licensed
• Exemptions:
– retail pet stores
– persons who derive no more than $500 gross
annual income
– persons who maintain no more than 3 breeding
female dogs or cats & sell offspring for pets or
exhibition
– persons who sell fewer than 25 dogs and or cats
annually for research, testing, or education
Subpart A- Licensing
• Exemptions (con’t):
– persons who buy animals solely for their
own use & do not sell or exhibit animals
• License application: $10 fee
– Applicants must demonstrate that their
premises, facilities, vehicles, equipment
are in compliance
– licenses are valid for 1 yr.
– 30 days prior to expiration must reapply
and submit annual report with income or
number of animals sold.
Subpart B- Registration
• Carriers, Intermediate handlers, and
exhibitors must register with the
Secretary of USDA
• Must be updated every 3 yrs.
Subpart C- Research Facilities
• Research facilities, other than federal
research facilities must register
• Updated every 3 yrs.
• An official who has legal authority to
bind the parent organization must sign
the registration form
Subpart C- Research Facilities
• IACUC:
– CEO must appoint IACUC members
– Must consist of at least 3 people
• Chairman
• DVM with training or experience in lab animal
science and medicine
• Person not affiliated with the facility (not
immediate family member)
– If more than 3 members, no more than 3
members from same dept.
– NOTE: PHS policy must have 5 members
Subpart C- Research Facilities
• IACUC functions:
– review animal care program & inspect animal
facilities at least once every 6 months
– prepare reports from the review & inspection
– review & investigate public complaints about
animal care
– review & approve proposed activities or significant
changes
– suspend an activity involving animals
Subpart C- Research Facilities
• Attending Veterinarian and Adequate
Veterinary Care:
– each facility must employ an attending
veterinarian
– part time or consultants must have a
written program of veterinary care &
regularly scheduled visits to the facility
Subpart C- Research Facilities
• Recordkeeping Requirements:
– Must maintain IACUC records
• Meeting minutes
• Proposed activities & significant changes
• Semiannual reports
• must keep for 3 yrs. after completion of project
– Must keep records for live dogs and cats
• Health certificate, Animal description, USDA #,
date of acquisition, vendor info.
– All records must be available for APHIS and
federal agency inspection & copying (FOIA)
– NOTE: PHS require 2 more: AWA & AAALAC, Int.
accreditation
Subpart C- Research Facilities
• Annual Report to USDA:
– Must be submitted by Dec. 1 of each yr.;
covers Oct. 1-Sept. 30 (federal fiscal yr.)
– Considered alternatives to painful
procedures
– Assure adhering to the AWA
– Common names and number of animals
used in the following categories:
• D or 0: no pain or distress
• E or 1: pain or distress with appropriate drugs
• F or 2: pain or distress without drugs; requires
scientific justification
Subpart C- Research Facilities
• Identification of dogs and cats:
– Official tag:
• “USDA”
• Numbers and letters identifying the state and
dealer
• Numbers identifying the animal
– Tags cannot be reused within a 5 yr. period
– Lost tags must be replaced with new tag
and number & must be recorded in records
– Tags must be kept for 1 yr. period
Subpart C- Research Facilities
• Identification of dogs and cats (con’t):
– Tattoo
– Collar
– Unweaned puppies or kittens to not need
individual identification if with dams
• Health certificates:
– Dog, Cat, or NHP transported from a research
facility must be accompanied by health certificate
issued by licensed, accredited vet.
– Health certificate must have date examined by
vet.; not more than 10 days prior to transport
Subpart C- Research Facilities
• Holding periods for dogs and cats:
– Research facilities that obtain dogs or cats
from sources other than dealers,
exhibitors, and persons who are exempt
from licensing regulations must hold the
animal for 5 full days, not including the day
of acquisition or time in transit
Subpart H- Compliance with
Standards
• Holding period:
– Any live cat or dog acquired by a dealer or
exhibitor must be held for 5 full days, not including
the day of acquisition or time in transit and must
include at least one Saturday
– This 5 days is for animals acquired from public
pounds or shelters
– Extended to 10 days if acquired from private or
contract pounds or shelters
– Pounds or shelters must hold for 5 days before
releasing to Class “B” dealer
Subpart H- Compliance with
Standards
• Holding period (con’t):
– Before selling a random source dog, a dealer must
provide certification relating to:
• background and registration of the dealer and
animal
• description of the animal
• background of shelter were purchased
• statement by shelter that held for at least 5
days
• assurance that the dealer notified person,
pound or shelter that the animal might be used
for research or educational purposes
Subpart H- Compliance with
Standards
• Procurement of random source dogs
and cats:
– Class “B” dealers may obtain random
source dogs and cat only from:
• licensed dealers
• state, county, or city-owned and operated
pounds or shelters
• another legally operated animal shelter
Part 3- Standards
• This sections specifies standards for the
humane handling, care, treatment, and
transportation of dogs, cats, guinea pigs,
hamsters, rabbits, NHP, marine mammals,
and other warm-blooded animals
• NOTE: This section has a lot of common
sense info. e.g., removal and disposal of
waste must be regular and frequent or
adequate potable water must be supplied for
animals’ drinking needs
Part 3- Standards
• Indoor facilities:
– Dogs, Cats, NHP:
• the ambient temp. must not fall below 45 F or
rise above 85 F for more than 4 consecutive
hours when animals are present
– Guinea pigs and hamsters:
• the ambient temp. must not fall below 60 F or
exceed 85 F
– Rabbits:
• indoor facilities need not be heated
Part 3- Standards
• Outdoor facilities:
– Not suitable for guinea pigs and hamsters
– Dogs and cats:
• unknown acclimation status: do not keep
outdoors if temp. is less than 50 F
– Rabbits:
• temp. > 90 F artificial cooling shall be provided
(sprinkler system)
• Shelter from cold weather:
– Dogs and cats: below 50 F
– Rabbits: below 40 F
– NHP: below 45 F
Part 3- Standards
• Primary enclosures:
– Dogs, Cats, & NHP: must be structurally
sound and maintained in good repair
•
•
•
•
•
contain & protect from injury
allow animals to remain dry & clean
easy access to food and water
protection from extreme cold and heat
surfaces to be cleaned/sanitized readily
– Dogs & Cats:
• innovative enclosure that do not precisely meet
floor area and height may be used; must be
approved by IACUC
Part 3- Standards
• Cats:
– must provide receptacle with clean litter
– space requirements:
• 24 in. high
• < 8.8 lb or 4 kg must have 3.0 sq. ft.
• > 8.8 lb or 4 kg must have 4.0 sq. ft.
• queens with litters must have additional space
• minimum floor space excludes food/water pan,
but includes litter box
– each primary enclosure must contain an elevated
resting surface
– no more than 12 adult cats may be housed in
same primary enclosure
Part 3- Standards
• Dogs:
– Interior height must be at least 6 inches higher
than the head of the tallest dog when it is in
normal standing position
– Minimum floor space:
• Equal to the square of the sum of the length of
the dog in inches (measured from the tip of the
nose to the base of the tail) plus 6 inches,
expressed in square feet (divide by 144).
• Dog measuring 30 inches, would be 36 x
36/144 = 9 sq. ft.
• NOTE: Differs from Guide (based on wt. of dog)
– No more than 12 adult dogs in same enclosure
Part 3- Standards
• Nonhuman primates:
– Minimum space requirements must be met even if
perches or swings are placed in the enclosure
– based on typical wt. of species
– ranges from Group 1-Group 6
– Group 6 includes great apes < 50 kg and
brachiating species
– Great apes > 50kg must have additional space for
normal postural adjustments
– Smaller innovative enclosures may be used but
must be approved by IACUC/Administrator
Part 3- Standards
• Guinea pigs:
– cage interior height: 7 inches
– minimum floor space: 60 sq. in. < 350 gr and 101
sq. in. > 350 gr
• Hamsters:
– cage interior height: 6 inches
– minimum floor space: see AWA
– no other hamster may be kept in an enclosure with
nursing female and litter
• Rabbits:
– minimum interior height: 14 in.
– minimum floor space: see AWA
Part 3- Standards
• Environmental enhancement to promote
psychological well-being:
– dealers, exhibitors, and research facilities must
follow and document a plan for EE and must be
directed by attending veterinarian
– The plan must address:
• Social grouping (conspecifics)
• Environmental enrichment: species typical
activity
• Special considerations: juveniles, psychological
distress
• Restraint devices: must not be used unless
required by protocol (restraint > 12 hrs. must
give 1 hr. unrestrained daily)
Part 3- Standards
• Environmental enhancement to promote
psychological well-being (con’t):
– exemptions:
• Veterinarian may exempt animals for reasons
of health, condition, or well-being
• IACUC may exempt for scientific reasons
• Records of exemptions must be made available
to USDA and federal agencies
Part 3- Standards
• Dog Exercise Program:
– dealers, exhibitors, and research facilities
must have appropriate documented plan to
provide dogs with the opportunity for
exercise
– must be approved by attending
veterinarian
– plan must have written standard procedure
Dog Exercise Program
• All dogs individually housed with less
than 2 times required floor space must
be provided regular opportunity for
exercise
• Dogs that are group housed do not
require additional opportunity for
exercise if floor space is equal to at
least 100% of the required floor for each
individual dog
Dog Exercise Program
• Exemptions:
– Attending veterinarian decision for reasons
of health, condition, or well-being
• exemption must be documented and reviewed
at least every 30 days
– Scientific reasons
• must be documented in IACUC approved
protocol
Animal Health & Husbandry
• Feeding:
– animal must be fed at least once daily
– food containers for all species must be
sanitized at least every 2 wks.
• Watering:
– if potable water is not accessible at all
times, potable liquids must be offered at
least twice daily for at least 1 hr. each time
– water receptacles sanitized at least every 2
wks.
Animal Health & Husbandry
• Sanitation:
– effective program for control of insects,
ectoparasites, and vermin shall be maintained
– dogs, cats, and nonhuman primates:
• excreta and food waste must be removed from
primary enclosures daily
• enclosures should be sanitized at least every 2
wks.
• Hard surfaces can be cleaned by cage washer,
live steam under pressure, or detergent and
disinfectant
Animal Health & Husbandry
• Guinea pigs and hamsters:
– enclosures must be cleaned and sanitized
at least every 2 wks.
• Rabbits:
– enclosures must be cleaned and sanitized
at least every 30 days
– underlying pans or troughs shall be
cleaned at least once a week
Transportation Standards
• Carriers and intermediate handlers may
not accept animals for transportation
more than 4 hrs. before departure
• Must be accompanied by health
certificate signed by vet. within 10 days
of shipment
• Temperature of terminal facility must be
lower than 45 F for more than 4 hrs.
when animals are present
Transportation Standards
• Primary enclosures used to transport
live animals:
– Interior must be free of any protrusions
– Openings must be easily accessible for
emergencies
– adequate handholds for lifting must be
located on exterior
– Enclosures: must have words “Live
Animals” or “Wild Animals” printed in letters
at least 1 inch high on top and one side
Transportation Standards
• Food and water requirements (must be affixed to
outside of enclosure):
– Dogs, cats, NHP:
• must be offered water and food within 4 hrs. of
transportation
• water must be offered at least every 12 hrs.
• NHP > 1 yr., dogs and cats > 16 wks must be
fed at least once every 24 hrs.
• NHP < 1 yr., dogs and cats < 16 wks must be
fed at least once every 12 hrs.
– Guinea pigs, hamster, and rabbits:
• animals in transit for more than 6 hrs. must
have access to food and water or type of food
to satisfy their needs during transit (Transgel)
Transportation Standards
• Guinea pigs, hamster, and rabbits:
– Maximum allowable number of animals
which can be transported in one enclosure:
• Guinea pigs: 15
• Rabbits: 15
• Hamsters: 50
Transportation Standards
• Care in Transit:
– Surface Transportation:
• Animals must be observed at least every 4 hrs.
to assure proper ventilation, temperature, or
physical distress
– Air Transportation:
• Animals must be observed at least every 4 hrs.
if the animal cargo area is accessible during
flight. If not, must be observed during loading
and unloading
Terminal Facilities
• Ventilation and Temperature:
– Dogs, Cats, NHP (same for primary conveyances):
• ventilation must be provided by windows,
doors, vents, etc.
• auxiliary ventilation must be used when the
temp. > 85 F in holding area
• ambient temp. must not exceed 85 F nor fall
below 45 F for more than 4 consecutive hrs.
when animals are present
– Duration:
• must not be held at terminal facility for more
than 24 hrs. if consignee cannot be notified, but
48 hrs. if fails to take physical possession
Terminal Facilities
• Ventilation and Temperature:
– Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, other warm
blooded animals (same for primary
conveyances):
• ventilation must be provided by windows,
doors, vents, etc.
• auxiliary ventilation must be used when the
temp. > 75 F in holding area
• ambient temp. must not exceed 85 F nor fall
below 45 F for more than 4 consecutive hrs.
when animals are present