This page contains information on federal legislation, regulations, policies and guidelines affecting laboratory animals used in research, testing, and teaching.
Laboratory Animals
| Spotlights |
Animal Welfare Act
The Animal Welfare Act was signed into law in 1966. While its original intent was to regulate the care and use of animals in the laboratory, it has become the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers.
The Animal Welfare Act: Background and Selected Legislation (PDF | 139 KB)
Congressional Research Service.
Provides an overview of the Animal Welfare Act including recent amendments and introduced bills.
Health Research Extension Act of 1985
DHHS. National Institutes of Health.
Public Law 99-158, November 20, 1985, "Animals In Research"
Guidelines for the Humane Transportation of Research Animals
National Research Council.
Meeting the regulatory and animal welfare requirements of research animals in transport can be a complex task. This report recommends best practices for the care of animals in transit including species specific recommendations, thermal requirements, space requirements, and more.
Animal Care Policies Specific to Dogs or Cats
USDA. APHIS. Animal Care.
The Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals and Farm Animal Worker Training Programs
Federation for Animal Science Societies
This site contains the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching (Ag Guide), and species-specific educational modules for livestock, poultry, and horses.
Animal Care Policies Specific to Nonhuman Primates
USDA. APHIS. Animal Care.
Animal Care Research Inspection Manual
USDA. APHIS. Animal Care.
The reference manual used by Animal Care inspectors to ensure a uniform inspection process of registered research facilities.
Update of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
National Research Council.
Updated 2010 - Provides information that will enhance animal well-being, the quality of biomedical research, and the advancement of biologic knowledge that is relevant to humans or animals.
Animal Care Dealer Inspection Manual
USDA. APHIS. Animal Care.
The reference manual used by Animal Care inspectors to ensure a uniform inspection process of licensed animal dealers.
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
National Research Council.
Provides information that will enhance animal well-being, the quality of biomedical research, and the advancement of biologic knowledge that is relevant to humans or animals.
Guía para el Cuidado y Uso de los Animales de Laboratorio
National Research Council.
Provides information that will enhance animal well-being, the quality of biomedical research, and the advancement of biologic knowledge that is relevant to humans or animals.
2008 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Design Requirements Manual for Biomedical Laboratories and Animal Research Facilities
National Institutes of Health. Office of Research Facilities.
Provides design requirements and guidance for biomedical research laboratories and animal research facilities in the US.
NIH, Animal Research Advisory Committee (ARAC) Guidelines
National Institutes of Health. Office of Animal Care and Use.
Includes guidelines for animal care procedures (including animal transport, ascites production, toe clipping, diet control, and humane endpoints), animal care and use committees, and facility management.
Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
National Institutes of Health. Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
Includes the U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research and Training as well as the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-158, "Animals in Research," November 20, 1985), which provides the statutory mandate for the PHS Policy.
Regulation of Commercial Animal Dealers (PDF | 115 KB)
USDA. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
An overview of USDA oversight of animal dealers.
ARS Animal Care and Use Policies
USDA. Research, Education, and Economics.
Policies and procedures for animal care at ARS facilities.
NIH Animal Research Advisory Committee (ARAC) Guidelines
National Institutes of Health. Office of Animal Care and Use.
Includes guidelines fon preparing annual reports as well as on the housing and care of animals.
Guidelines for Endpoints in Animal Study Proposals (PDF | 44 KB)
DHHS. NIH. Office of Animal Care and Use.
This document states that selection of appropriate endpoints requires careful consideration of the study's scientific requirements, possible pain, distress or illness the research animals may experience, the most likely time course and progression of those adverse effects, and the earliest most predictive indicators of present or impending adverse effects.
NASA Principles for the Ethical Care and Use of Animals
National Air and Space Administration.
The following principles are offered to guide careful and considered discussion of the ethical challenges that arise in the course of animal research, a process that must balance risks, burdens and benefits