Animal Welfare Information Center Newsletter, Spring 1997, Vol. 8 No. 1

APHIS-Animal Care Update

Questions and Answers:

When will rats, mice, and birds be covered by Federal animal welfare regulations?
Why Retail Pet Shops Are Not Regulated.
Regulatory Initiatives (USDA, APHIS, Animal Care Industry Report, Spring 1997)

When will rats, mice, and birds be covered by Federal animal welfare regulations?

The April 1996 APHIS Strategic Plan states that "Pressure on USDA to include additional species, including rats, mice, and birds, under AWA regulation will likely continue." At this time, there are no immediate plans for coverage. For a copy of the strategic plan, please contact AWIC.

Why Retail Pet Shops Are Not Regulated.

Retail pet shops are specifically identified in the Animal Welfare Act as being exempt from the definition of a dealer if the only animals sold are animals recognized as normal pet animals. However, pet shops do fall under the definition of a dealer, and are licensed and inspected, if they (1) sell animals to exhibitors, dealers, or research facilities, and/or (2) sell wild or exotic animals (as defined by the Regulations). Shops selling "pocket pets" (small exotic pets, such as hedgehogs) are now being licensed as Class "B" dealers and inspected (see AWIC Newsletter Vol. 7 #3-4, p.15).

Regulatory Initiatives
(USDA, APHIS, Animal Care Industry Report, Spring 1997)

The following AWA dockets are currently being developed or reviewed:

Notices

Petition on hunting, security, and breeding dogs from the Doris Day Animal League
Information Collection: Marine Mammal Facilities
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Handling and Training of Potentially Dangerous Wild and Exotic Animals Used for Exhibition