SELECTED FEDERAL ISSUES Material on this page © The Animal Council 2006 - 2020
Legislative Information Site - Congress.gov Replaces Thomas. New Link 3/19/18
U. S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Reference: NEW 4/14/11 - Congressional Research Service, The Animal Welfare Act: Background and Selected Legislation
(through 2010)
AWIC Resource Series No. 41 September 2007, history of the Animal Welfare Act and annotated bibliography of related Federal
documents.
Pet Animal Welfare Act of 2005 "PAWS" Discussion Draft text integrated with original bill and existing Animal Welfare Act.
New 3/31/11 The FOIA Project goal is to bring transparency to the process by which the U.S. Government withholds information.
New 6/4/2017 Animal Legal Defense Fund v. USDA, Denial of Motion for Preliminary Injunction regarding the USDA’s decision to
suddenly remove documents from its APHIS databases on February 3, 2017
NEW 3/14/17 individual tracking page 2017-2018 Federal Bill Information
Legislation, by most recent entry:
New 8/21/2014 H.R.5267 — 113th Congress (2013-2014) Pet and Women Safety Act of 2014, introduced July 30, 2014,
Representative Katherine M. Clark (D-MA-5) Co-Sponsor, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-27) Referred to Committee on
Judiciary, Committee on Agriculture. Amends Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, Interstate Stalking.
New 3/3/2014 Fairness to Pet Owners Act HR 4023 introduced 2/10/14 by Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT-4), cosponsored by Rep. Jason
Chaffetz (R-UT-3) would require veterinarian to give pet owner a prescription that could be filled
elsewhe re when prescribing for a pet a drug requiring a prescription and related provisions, to be enforced by the Federal
Trade Commission. 112th Congress similar bill was HR 1406.
New 1/20/2014 Joint Explanatory Statement of Committee of Conference re "Farm Bill" includes Item 19 amends AWA Animal
Fighting Ventures, definition of "minor" lowered from 18 to 16 years old and also amends AWA provisions relating to regulations
that were effective 11/18/13. Item 19 (3 pages) Entire Report (186 pages)
New 2/7/14 Agricultural Act of 2014 AWA (current to 2013) AWA integrated text with Agricultural Act of 2014
New 2/28/13, updated 3/4/13 S 395 (Durbin D-IL, 11 co-sponsors) introduced 2/27/13, Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act and
HR 847, (Gerlach R-PA, 44 co-sponsors) introduced 2/27/13, Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act. Note, S 395, but not H.R. 847
corrects error in prior bills, AWA Sec. 2132(m) already ends in semi-colon.
New 4/14/11 S 707 (Durbin D-IL, Vitter R-LA ) Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act (Introduced in Senate - IS)
Senator Durbin's Statement in the Congressional Record, March 31, 2011, page S2052. Referred to Senate Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
New 3/11/11 H.R. 835 (Gerlach R-PA) Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act (Introduced in House - IH) Referred to the
Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
New 7/6/10 H.R. 5422 (Ruppersberger MD-2) would "authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants for the prevention of
cruelty to animals to States that have enacted laws prohibiting the devocalization of dogs and cats for
purposes of convenience." TAC's Reference File
New 5/26/10 S 3424 (Durbin D-IL) a new incarnation of PUPS (below) is in the pipeline 5/27/10 S 3424 May 25, 2010 text
Reference document from USDA, May 2010 "Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Care Program Inspections of
Problematic Dealers"
New 9/21/08 S 3519 (Durbin D-IL and Feinstein, McCaskill, and Wyden) Senate version of Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act
("PUPS Act"), 9/18/08 Congressional Record introduction. S 3519 text integrated into the 3 AWA sections to be amended, 9/21/08.
New 9/19/08 H.R. 6949 (Farr-D CA) “Puppy Uniform Protection Statute” (PUPS), (Text not yet available from GPO) 17 Co-sponsors;
Referred to House Committee on Agriculture, amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide further protection for puppies, require
USDA licensed for breeders raising more than 50 dogs in a 12-month period and selling directly to the public.
New 8/27/08 H.R. 6597 "Animal Cruelty Statistics Act of 2008", by Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (MI-14), introduced 7/24/08, "Not later than
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act the Attorney General shall make appropriate changes to existing crime data
bases maintained within the Department of Justice so that data on all crimes of animal cruelty will be collected and made publicly
available in a manner that facilitates analysis.: Referred to House Judiciary. 13 Co-sponsors.
New 7/2/08 H.R. 1163 Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act by Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo with 6 co-sponsors, was
introduced on 6/19/08, referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and on 6/26 heard by the Subcommittee on
Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans. While the purpose is "To prevent the introduction and establishment of nonnative wildlife
species that negatively impact the economy, environment, or human or animal species' health, and for other purposes." the bill
could force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to “shut down a number of industries dependent upon non-native species — such
as the pet industry, food aquaculture and sports fishing with complex, wide-spread implications.
New 5/29/08 H.R. 4936 by Rep. Gary L. Ackerman (NY-5) would amend the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to require engine
coolant and antifreeze to contain a bittering agent so as to render it unpalatable. Introduced 1/15/08, HR 4936 has 20 sponsors
and on 1/16 was referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials with no action to date. Reference notes
for H.R. 4936
NEW 12/4/07 Senate Floor amendment to the massive Farm Bill, passed by the House and now in the Senate, would return to the
"PAWS" provisions with "Regulation of the Pet Industry" provisions limited to one new section plus the ongoing proposals
regarding temporary license suspensions and injunctions. AWA integrated document with proposed amendments shown in
context of Animal Welfare Act. Congressional Record, November 15, 2007
Active Legislation 110th Congress (2007-2008)
New 12/9/07 follow developments on the 2007 Farm Bill Blog of Phil Fraas, a Washington agricultural attorney and veteran of six
previous Farm Bills.
NEW 12/17/07 On Friday, December 14, 2007, the Senate version of the 2007 Farm Bill passed, NOT including the above
amendment, but with a scaled back version, SEC. 32. IMPORTATION OF LIVE DOGS; and 2 other provisions:
SEC. 11072. PROHIBITIONS ON DOG FIGHTING VENTURES (See 7/29/07 item below); and
SEC. 11072. PROTECTION OF PETS. The House bill does not have these provisions, so these will be re-considered by a
conference committee in January 2008.
5/24/08 The Farm Bill, as finally amended, has been enacted by Congressional override of the President's veto and includes the
animal fighting, import of live dogs under 6 mos. for resale provisions (final version with Hawaii exemption) and protection of
pets for research provisions (final version), not the prohibitions (see above) but a review of any specified recommendations for
such use. When available, integrated statutory text will be posted. Updated 5/27/08
New 7/29/07 In response to a highly publicized dog fighting case, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) is introducing an amendment to the
Animal Welfare Act to enhance federal criminal dogfighting offenses and penalty.
New 5/19/07 H.R. 659 Canine Detection Team Improvement Act of 2007 (Introduced in House, 1/24/07)
Canine Detection Team Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland
Security to: (1) fully coordinate Department of Homeland Security (DHS) canine training programs; (2) ensure that DHS is
maximizing its use of existing training facilities and resources to train canines throughout the year; (3) make it a priority to
increase the number of domestically bred canines used by DHS to assist its counterterrorism mission; (4) increase the utilization
of domestically bred canines from universities and private and nonprofit sources; and (5) consult with other federal, state, and local
agencies, nonprofit organizations, universities, and private entities that use detection canines, as well as the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB), to encourage domestic breeding of canines and to consolidate canine procurement across the
federal government.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a competitive grant program for domestic breeders of canines; (2) establish a Homeland
Security Canine Detection Accreditation Board; and (3) prohibit the use of grant funds to acquire a canine detection team that is
not certified, except under special circumstances.
Rep. Mike D. Rogers, Republican (Alabama-3) 11 co-sponsors
Regulation: rev. 2/17/17 Federal Register updated 6/6/18 Federal Reference Materials
New 2019 Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of “Rabies-Free” as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the United
States, A Notice by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on 01/31/2019
New 7/13/2018 Comprehensive APHIS page: Importing dogs into the United States for resale, whether through commercial sale or
adoption, as covered under the Animal Welfare Act.
NEW 7/5/2018 Licensing and Registration Under the Animal Welfare Act Guidelines for Dealers, Exhibitors, Transporters, and
Researchers Published May 25, 2018
New 5/23/2018 DOT ANPR seeking public comment on amending its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation on transportation of
service animals.
New 6/23/2017 APHIS revised Animal Welfare Inspection Guide
New, 6/17 Center for Disease Control, change effective 8/18/17 requiring online application for permit to import dog inadequately
immunized against rabies. Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 116 / Monday, June 19, 2017 / Notices Import information, CDC.
New, issued January 2017, USDA Animal Care: Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations, 264 page "Blue Book."
new 2/17/17 USDA Office of Administrative Law Judges
NEW 8/4/2016 APHIS Notice of Proposed Rule, Thresholds for De Minimis Activity and Exemptions From Licensing Under the
Animal Welfare Act
New 7/18/16 APHIS has a new "APHIS Pet Travel" page to help interstate or international travelers with pets (and not all animals
qualify as pets for travel purposes) find the correct legal information and requirements for their destination(s.)
New 9/22/15 Petition for Rulemaking pursuant AWA, details, document.
New 7/23/14 Revised 7/14/14 information from Center for Disease Control for importing dogs into US. Statutory authority is Title
42 - Public Health. CHAPTER I - PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. SUBCHAPTER F -
QUARANTINE, INSPECTION, LICENSING. PART 71 - FOREIGN QUARANTINE. Subpart F - Importations. Regs, 42 CFR 71.51 New
7/28/14 New CDC Guidance (effective 8/11/14) for dog confinement agreements under 42 CFR 71.51. Under 42 CFR 71.51(c)(2), the
CDC Director may authorize admission into the United States of a dog that has not been vaccinated for rabies or that is
inadequately immunized if the owner agrees to subsequently vaccinate and properly confine the dog. Federal Register, Vol 79,
No 132, July 10, 2014, Notices, 39403.
New 5/11/12 APHIS has announced its proposal to amend the AWA regulations for retail pet store exemption and more to "close
the loophole" for direct pet sales not transacted on the breeder's premises. Press Release, links
5/18/12 Federal Register Volume 77, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 16, 2012), Pages 28799-28805
Comment period closes July 16, 2012. Online Comment Form: upload attachment or 2000 character text box.
7/14/12 Comment period extended to August 15. 7/17/12 Federal Register document.
New 2/22/08 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, APHIS-2006-0150-0001, would make acclimation certificates for live animals,
including cats and dogs, other than marine mammals unnecessary. Comments due 3/3/08.
New 9/5/07 An Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) (document from our files) from the Department of Health and Human
Services, Center for Disease Control published in the Federal Register on July 31, 1007 at Vol 72, No. 146 starting at page 41676
calls for information on many possible new regulations to cover importation of dogs, cats, ferrets and other animals with respect
to quarantine issues involving human zoonotic diseases. These could affect individuals traveling outside the US with pets as
well as other importers for all purposes. Comments should be submitted on or before October 1, 2007, and this can now be done
electronically through the CDC page for this. For more information, see the CDC Division of Global Migration and Quarantine
10/1/07 Comment period has been extended.
5/26/07 A Petition for Publication of a Federal Register Notice Soliciting Comments on the Need to Modify the Designations
Untilized to Describe Categories of Licensees in 9 CFR Section 1.1 was submitted to APHIS on behalf of The Hunte Corporation, a
USDA Class B Dealer Licensee by its attorney Laurence J. Lasoff of the Washington D.C. office of Kelley Drye Collier Shannon.
The Notice of Petition to Amend the Definition of Class B Dealer was published as Federal Register Number E7-06701 on April 10,
2007 with comments due by July 9, 2007. To submit comments online, see Federal eRulemaking Portal, select Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service from the agency drop-down menu, then click Submit. In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0158
Federal Register: March 10, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 47)
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 12302-12305]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9 CFR Part 2
[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0012]
Animal Welfare; Animal Identification Standards
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comments,
notice of meeting.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Conference Committee Report accompanying the Agriculture,
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109-97), directed the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to develop appropriate
regulations that allow for an open radio frequency identification
technology microchip system that would enable a scanner to read all
microchips used for the identification of pets. In addition, APHIS has
received a petition from the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families
requesting that we consider establishing a national identification
standard for pets and publish a notice soliciting comments on the need
for the adoption of ISO 11784 and 11785 as the national radio frequency
technology standard for pets. We are currently considering the
direction given in the congressional report and the petitioners'
request. This notice solicits public comment on potential changes to
our regulations that would address the use of microchips for
identifying animals covered under the Animal Welfare Act and advises
the public that APHIS is hosting a series of informational meetings on
that subject and the issues raised in the conference committee report
and the petition.
11/6/07 USDA determined it lacks the regulatory authority under the Animal Welfare Act to mandate a national standard for
microchips or microchip scanners for privately owned pets.
For more information APHIS NEW 8/10/16 APHIS CUSTOMER CALL CENTER
Legislative Information Site - Congress.gov Replaces Thomas. New Link 3/19/18
U. S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Reference: NEW 4/14/11 - Congressional Research Service, The Animal Welfare Act: Background and Selected Legislation
(through 2010)
AWIC Resource Series No. 41 September 2007, history of the Animal Welfare Act and annotated bibliography of related Federal
documents.
Pet Animal Welfare Act of 2005 "PAWS" Discussion Draft text integrated with original bill and existing Animal Welfare Act.
New 3/31/11 The FOIA Project goal is to bring transparency to the process by which the U.S. Government withholds information.
New 6/4/2017 Animal Legal Defense Fund v. USDA, Denial of Motion for Preliminary Injunction regarding the USDA’s decision to
suddenly remove documents from its APHIS databases on February 3, 2017
NEW 3/14/17 individual tracking page 2017-2018 Federal Bill Information
Legislation, by most recent entry:
New 8/21/2014 H.R.5267 — 113th Congress (2013-2014) Pet and Women Safety Act of 2014, introduced July 30, 2014,
Representative Katherine M. Clark (D-MA-5) Co-Sponsor, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-27) Referred to Committee on
Judiciary, Committee on Agriculture. Amends Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, Interstate Stalking.
New 3/3/2014 Fairness to Pet Owners Act HR 4023 introduced 2/10/14 by Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT-4), cosponsored by Rep. Jason
Chaffetz (R-UT-3) would require veterinarian to give pet owner a prescription that could be filled
elsewhe re when prescribing for a pet a drug requiring a prescription and related provisions, to be enforced by the Federal
Trade Commission. 112th Congress similar bill was HR 1406.
New 1/20/2014 Joint Explanatory Statement of Committee of Conference re "Farm Bill" includes Item 19 amends AWA Animal
Fighting Ventures, definition of "minor" lowered from 18 to 16 years old and also amends AWA provisions relating to regulations
that were effective 11/18/13. Item 19 (3 pages) Entire Report (186 pages)
New 2/7/14 Agricultural Act of 2014 AWA (current to 2013) AWA integrated text with Agricultural Act of 2014
New 2/28/13, updated 3/4/13 S 395 (Durbin D-IL, 11 co-sponsors) introduced 2/27/13, Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act and
HR 847, (Gerlach R-PA, 44 co-sponsors) introduced 2/27/13, Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act. Note, S 395, but not H.R. 847
corrects error in prior bills, AWA Sec. 2132(m) already ends in semi-colon.
New 4/14/11 S 707 (Durbin D-IL, Vitter R-LA ) Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act (Introduced in Senate - IS)
Senator Durbin's Statement in the Congressional Record, March 31, 2011, page S2052. Referred to Senate Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
New 3/11/11 H.R. 835 (Gerlach R-PA) Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act (Introduced in House - IH) Referred to the
Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
New 7/6/10 H.R. 5422 (Ruppersberger MD-2) would "authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants for the prevention of
cruelty to animals to States that have enacted laws prohibiting the devocalization of dogs and cats for
purposes of convenience." TAC's Reference File
New 5/26/10 S 3424 (Durbin D-IL) a new incarnation of PUPS (below) is in the pipeline 5/27/10 S 3424 May 25, 2010 text
Reference document from USDA, May 2010 "Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Care Program Inspections of
Problematic Dealers"
New 9/21/08 S 3519 (Durbin D-IL and Feinstein, McCaskill, and Wyden) Senate version of Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act
("PUPS Act"), 9/18/08 Congressional Record introduction. S 3519 text integrated into the 3 AWA sections to be amended, 9/21/08.
New 9/19/08 H.R. 6949 (Farr-D CA) “Puppy Uniform Protection Statute” (PUPS), (Text not yet available from GPO) 17 Co-sponsors;
Referred to House Committee on Agriculture, amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide further protection for puppies, require
USDA licensed for breeders raising more than 50 dogs in a 12-month period and selling directly to the public.
New 8/27/08 H.R. 6597 "Animal Cruelty Statistics Act of 2008", by Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (MI-14), introduced 7/24/08, "Not later than
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act the Attorney General shall make appropriate changes to existing crime data
bases maintained within the Department of Justice so that data on all crimes of animal cruelty will be collected and made publicly
available in a manner that facilitates analysis.: Referred to House Judiciary. 13 Co-sponsors.
New 7/2/08 H.R. 1163 Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act by Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo with 6 co-sponsors, was
introduced on 6/19/08, referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and on 6/26 heard by the Subcommittee on
Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans. While the purpose is "To prevent the introduction and establishment of nonnative wildlife
species that negatively impact the economy, environment, or human or animal species' health, and for other purposes." the bill
could force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to “shut down a number of industries dependent upon non-native species — such
as the pet industry, food aquaculture and sports fishing with complex, wide-spread implications.
New 5/29/08 H.R. 4936 by Rep. Gary L. Ackerman (NY-5) would amend the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to require engine
coolant and antifreeze to contain a bittering agent so as to render it unpalatable. Introduced 1/15/08, HR 4936 has 20 sponsors
and on 1/16 was referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials with no action to date. Reference notes
for H.R. 4936
NEW 12/4/07 Senate Floor amendment to the massive Farm Bill, passed by the House and now in the Senate, would return to the
"PAWS" provisions with "Regulation of the Pet Industry" provisions limited to one new section plus the ongoing proposals
regarding temporary license suspensions and injunctions. AWA integrated document with proposed amendments shown in
context of Animal Welfare Act. Congressional Record, November 15, 2007
Active Legislation 110th Congress (2007-2008)
New 12/9/07 follow developments on the 2007 Farm Bill Blog of Phil Fraas, a Washington agricultural attorney and veteran of six
previous Farm Bills.
NEW 12/17/07 On Friday, December 14, 2007, the Senate version of the 2007 Farm Bill passed, NOT including the above
amendment, but with a scaled back version, SEC. 32. IMPORTATION OF LIVE DOGS; and 2 other provisions:
SEC. 11072. PROHIBITIONS ON DOG FIGHTING VENTURES (See 7/29/07 item below); and
SEC. 11072. PROTECTION OF PETS. The House bill does not have these provisions, so these will be re-considered by a
conference committee in January 2008.
5/24/08 The Farm Bill, as finally amended, has been enacted by Congressional override of the President's veto and includes the
animal fighting, import of live dogs under 6 mos. for resale provisions (final version with Hawaii exemption) and protection of
pets for research provisions (final version), not the prohibitions (see above) but a review of any specified recommendations for
such use. When available, integrated statutory text will be posted. Updated 5/27/08
New 7/29/07 In response to a highly publicized dog fighting case, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) is introducing an amendment to the
Animal Welfare Act to enhance federal criminal dogfighting offenses and penalty.
New 5/19/07 H.R. 659 Canine Detection Team Improvement Act of 2007 (Introduced in House, 1/24/07)
Canine Detection Team Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland
Security to: (1) fully coordinate Department of Homeland Security (DHS) canine training programs; (2) ensure that DHS is
maximizing its use of existing training facilities and resources to train canines throughout the year; (3) make it a priority to
increase the number of domestically bred canines used by DHS to assist its counterterrorism mission; (4) increase the utilization
of domestically bred canines from universities and private and nonprofit sources; and (5) consult with other federal, state, and local
agencies, nonprofit organizations, universities, and private entities that use detection canines, as well as the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB), to encourage domestic breeding of canines and to consolidate canine procurement across the
federal government.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a competitive grant program for domestic breeders of canines; (2) establish a Homeland
Security Canine Detection Accreditation Board; and (3) prohibit the use of grant funds to acquire a canine detection team that is
not certified, except under special circumstances.
Rep. Mike D. Rogers, Republican (Alabama-3) 11 co-sponsors
Regulation: rev. 2/17/17 Federal Register updated 6/6/18 Federal Reference Materials
New 2019 Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of “Rabies-Free” as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the United
States, A Notice by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on 01/31/2019
New 7/13/2018 Comprehensive APHIS page: Importing dogs into the United States for resale, whether through commercial sale or
adoption, as covered under the Animal Welfare Act.
NEW 7/5/2018 Licensing and Registration Under the Animal Welfare Act Guidelines for Dealers, Exhibitors, Transporters, and
Researchers Published May 25, 2018
New 5/23/2018 DOT ANPR seeking public comment on amending its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation on transportation of
service animals.
New 6/23/2017 APHIS revised Animal Welfare Inspection Guide
New, 6/17 Center for Disease Control, change effective 8/18/17 requiring online application for permit to import dog inadequately
immunized against rabies. Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 116 / Monday, June 19, 2017 / Notices Import information, CDC.
New, issued January 2017, USDA Animal Care: Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations, 264 page "Blue Book."
new 2/17/17 USDA Office of Administrative Law Judges
NEW 8/4/2016 APHIS Notice of Proposed Rule, Thresholds for De Minimis Activity and Exemptions From Licensing Under the
Animal Welfare Act
New 7/18/16 APHIS has a new "APHIS Pet Travel" page to help interstate or international travelers with pets (and not all animals
qualify as pets for travel purposes) find the correct legal information and requirements for their destination(s.)
New 9/22/15 Petition for Rulemaking pursuant AWA, details, document.
New 7/23/14 Revised 7/14/14 information from Center for Disease Control for importing dogs into US. Statutory authority is Title
42 - Public Health. CHAPTER I - PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. SUBCHAPTER F -
QUARANTINE, INSPECTION, LICENSING. PART 71 - FOREIGN QUARANTINE. Subpart F - Importations. Regs, 42 CFR 71.51 New
7/28/14 New CDC Guidance (effective 8/11/14) for dog confinement agreements under 42 CFR 71.51. Under 42 CFR 71.51(c)(2), the
CDC Director may authorize admission into the United States of a dog that has not been vaccinated for rabies or that is
inadequately immunized if the owner agrees to subsequently vaccinate and properly confine the dog. Federal Register, Vol 79,
No 132, July 10, 2014, Notices, 39403.
New 5/11/12 APHIS has announced its proposal to amend the AWA regulations for retail pet store exemption and more to "close
the loophole" for direct pet sales not transacted on the breeder's premises. Press Release, links
5/18/12 Federal Register Volume 77, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 16, 2012), Pages 28799-28805
Comment period closes July 16, 2012. Online Comment Form: upload attachment or 2000 character text box.
7/14/12 Comment period extended to August 15. 7/17/12 Federal Register document.
New 2/22/08 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, APHIS-2006-0150-0001, would make acclimation certificates for live animals,
including cats and dogs, other than marine mammals unnecessary. Comments due 3/3/08.
New 9/5/07 An Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) (document from our files) from the Department of Health and Human
Services, Center for Disease Control published in the Federal Register on July 31, 1007 at Vol 72, No. 146 starting at page 41676
calls for information on many possible new regulations to cover importation of dogs, cats, ferrets and other animals with respect
to quarantine issues involving human zoonotic diseases. These could affect individuals traveling outside the US with pets as
well as other importers for all purposes. Comments should be submitted on or before October 1, 2007, and this can now be done
electronically through the CDC page for this. For more information, see the CDC Division of Global Migration and Quarantine
10/1/07 Comment period has been extended.
5/26/07 A Petition for Publication of a Federal Register Notice Soliciting Comments on the Need to Modify the Designations
Untilized to Describe Categories of Licensees in 9 CFR Section 1.1 was submitted to APHIS on behalf of The Hunte Corporation, a
USDA Class B Dealer Licensee by its attorney Laurence J. Lasoff of the Washington D.C. office of Kelley Drye Collier Shannon.
The Notice of Petition to Amend the Definition of Class B Dealer was published as Federal Register Number E7-06701 on April 10,
2007 with comments due by July 9, 2007. To submit comments online, see Federal eRulemaking Portal, select Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service from the agency drop-down menu, then click Submit. In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0158
Federal Register: March 10, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 47)
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 12302-12305]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9 CFR Part 2
[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0012]
Animal Welfare; Animal Identification Standards
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comments,
notice of meeting.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Conference Committee Report accompanying the Agriculture,
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109-97), directed the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to develop appropriate
regulations that allow for an open radio frequency identification
technology microchip system that would enable a scanner to read all
microchips used for the identification of pets. In addition, APHIS has
received a petition from the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families
requesting that we consider establishing a national identification
standard for pets and publish a notice soliciting comments on the need
for the adoption of ISO 11784 and 11785 as the national radio frequency
technology standard for pets. We are currently considering the
direction given in the congressional report and the petitioners'
request. This notice solicits public comment on potential changes to
our regulations that would address the use of microchips for
identifying animals covered under the Animal Welfare Act and advises
the public that APHIS is hosting a series of informational meetings on
that subject and the issues raised in the conference committee report
and the petition.
11/6/07 USDA determined it lacks the regulatory authority under the Animal Welfare Act to mandate a national standard for
microchips or microchip scanners for privately owned pets.
For more information APHIS NEW 8/10/16 APHIS CUSTOMER CALL CENTER
 |  |  |  |  |  |