|legislation||legislation > Animal Welfare Act (AWA)
“The issue before this committee is not whether dog is man’s best friend. Impassioned oratory through the ages offers conclusive proof that he is. The issue is whether man will return this friendship.” Congressman George Grider (TN) made this statement in 1966 when the Animal Welfare Act was first debated.
One of the ‘main’ federal laws governing certain animals is called the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). A tremendous amount of information exists on the Internet explaining and assessing the Animal Welfare Act (pros and cons).
The Animal Welfare Act provides a framework for the humane treatment of certain animals. In the view of many, however, the actual enforcement of the regulations has been ineffective, and the type of animals protected limited.
NOTE: Definition of "retail pet store" in the AWA has been revised. See licensing below.
ANIMAL WELFARE ACT (AWA)
AWA - History
AWA - Enactment
AWA - Licensing and Exemptions
AWA - Standards and Loopholes
AWA – Inspections
AWA – Suggestions for Improvements
AWA – Animal Care Policy Manual