Companion Animals
Spotlights
States' Animal Cruelty StatutesNational Agricultural Law Center.
Provides a clickable map of the United States with information on each state's animal cruelty laws.
Pets and Wildlife-Licensing and Health Requirements
DHS. U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
An overview of all United States laws and regulations governing the importation of pets, wild animals, and animal products.
Questions and Answers on Animal Care's Regulation of Commercial Animal Dealers (PDF | 34 KB)USDA. APHIS. Animal Care.
Provides answers to common questions, including who regulates "commercial dog breeders."
Pets and Wildlife - General information
DHS. U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
General information on entering pets and/or wildlife into the United States.
Pets Evacuation and Standards Act 2006 (PDF | 34 KB)This US law requires local and state emergency preparedness authorities to include in their evacuation plans how they will accommodate household pets and service animals in case of a disaster.
Importation of Pets and Other Animal & Animal Products into the United States
CDC. Division of Global Migration & Quarantine.
Information on the importation of dogs, cats, turtles, monkeys and other animals and animal products capable of causing human disease.
The Sale of Pets at Retail Pet StoresMichigan State University. College of Law. Animal Legal & Historical Center.
Provides an overview of retail pet store laws and table of state laws with pet store/pet purchaser protection acts (puppy lemon laws).
Animal Care Inspection ManualUSDA. APHIS. Animal Care.
The reference manual used by Animal Care inspectors to ensure a uniform inspection process of licensed and registered animal facilities.