Strengthening Laws, Regulations, and Enforcement

Our Work On Strengthening Laws, Regulations, and Enforcement

Overview

In the United States, the use of animals in research and testing is governed by a complex system of laws, regulations, and guidelines. Which rules apply, and who oversees their enforcement, depends on the species used and the source of funding for the research. While these laws and regulations are meant to protect animals from inhumane treatment, neglect, and abuse, the reality is that too often their coverage falls short or they are not adequately enforced. Through various forms of research and outreach, AWI advocates strengthening existing laws and regulations and improving enforcement.

The Animal Welfare Act covers warm-blooded species in research, but specifically excludes birds, rats of the genus Rattus, and mice of the genus Mus—who together constitute at least 95 percent of animals in research. Thus, institutions that only conduct research with animals not covered by the law are not required to register. In addition, laboratories that are registered are not required to submit to federal inspection of the areas where rats, mice, and birds are housed and experimented upon.

Analyses and Reports on USDA Enforcement

AWI has chronicled in reports, letters to government officials, media outreach, and AWI Quarterly articles, the USDA’s lax enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act throughout the years. Read more about our analysis of USDA enforcement.

Cases Against Chronic Violators

AWI has followed, publicized, and at times directly encouraged, enforcement cases against entities that have been found to repeatedly neglect, harm, or otherwise endanger animals bred for or used in laboratories, in violation of the Animal Welfare Act, PHS Policy, or other laws or regulations. Read more about these cases:

Extending Legal Protections to Rats, Mice, and Birds

AWI’s advocacy was a key factor in passage of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) in 1966, as well as in passage of subsequent amendments to strengthen and broaden it. AWI remains committed to strict enforcement of the AWA and to extending the legal protections afforded by this law to all animals in research, including rats, mice, and birds.

Meeting the Social Needs of Nonhuman Primates

AWI has been at the forefront of efforts to provide nonhuman primates with social housing and other forms of enrichment designed to addresses their behavioral needs to the greatest extent possible. AWI is a strong proponent of gaining the trust and cooperation of primates for routine procedures rather than using stress-inducing removal from the home cage and forced restraint.