Federal Statutes Protecting Domesticated and Captive Animals

"A number of federal laws aim to protect the health, safety, and well-being of animals under human control. These laws extend to pets, domesticated livestock, service animals, test subjects, and wild animals kept for exhibition, scientific, or educational purposes, among others. Some of them prohibit specific harmful acts, others prescribe standards for certain types of activities, and others require owners to have permits and meet certain criteria to possess various types of animals. This report provides brief summaries of federal laws that aim to protect domesticated and captive animals. The laws, or components thereof, that address animals owned by humans represent a subset of the federal laws that aim to protect and conserve animals.

A principal statute governing the humane treatment of animals is the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Enacted in 1966, the AWA “is the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and dealers,” according to the Department of Agriculture. The AWA prescribes the minimum standards of care for certain animals that are used for research, sold or transported commercially, or exhibited to the public. Other statutes and policies refer to the AWA as the “minimum acceptable standard” for animal care and use..."
Federal law and animals 

Animals in Schools and Daycare Settings

"Animals can be entertaining and educational. However, people, especially children, can get sick from contact with animals. The good news: You can help prevent illnesses from animals.

Children can learn a lot from animals, and it’s important to make sure they stay safe and healthy while they’re learning. People can get sick when they forget to wash their hands[698 KB] right after touching an animal or its habitat. Young children are more likely to get sick because their immune systems are still developing. They also are more likely to put their fingers or other items into their mouths, which can cause them to become infected.

What types of diseases can animals spread?

Animals may carry germs like Salmonella and E. coli O157 on their bodies and in their droppings, even when they appear clean and healthy. The germs can spread to cages, bedding, and wherever animals roam. Disease outbreaks also have resulted from hatching eggs and chicks in the classroom, and from contaminated animal products used for hands-on learning, such as owl pellets for dissection..."
Animals in schools

Animals in Schools and Daycare Settings

"Animals can be effective and valuable teaching aids for children, but there is a risk of illness and injury from contact with animals. Young children are especially at risk for illness because their immune systems are still developing and because they are more likely than others to put their fingers or other items into their mouths, a behavior that can spread germs..

FDA’s Role in Animal Health:Yes! No! Maybe So! – What FDA Does and Does Not Regulate
"Each week, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) receives a variety of phone calls and e-mails from consumers asking questions like, “Who regulates flea and tick products?” and “How do I treat my cat’s urinary tract infection?” While CVM’s Communications Staff is happy to direct consumers to the appropriate resources, it may be helpful to know that FDA is not the only organization responsible for protecting animal health. FDA regulates the drugs, devices, and feed given to or used on over one hundred million companion and food-producing animals in the U.S. Several other government and non-government organizations also play a role in animal health..."

Healthy Animals: ARS Scientists Find Solutions to Help Keep Catfish Healthy
"Innovation is the key for Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists looking for ways to keep farm-raised catfish and other aquatic animals healthy and productive. Their research accomplishments, which include superior vaccines to fight pathogens and the fine-tuning of oxygen management systems for ponds, help protect and sustain America's aquaculture industry.

There's More than One Way to Hatch an Egg

For example, an ARS scientist in the Mississippi Delta is on a mission to help commercial growers improve farm-raised catfish production.

Fish biologist Les Torrans is constructing an innovative egg incubator he calls the "see-saw" to provide a better mix of dissolved oxygen for vulnerable catfish eggs. Torrans works in the ARS Catfish Genetics Research Unit of the Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center located at the Mississippi State University (MSU) Delta Experiment Station in Stoneville, Miss..."

Healthy Animals, October 2009
"Welcome to Healthy Animals, an online compilation of animal health-related research news put out each quarter by the Information Staff of the Agricultural Research Service. ARS is the chief scientific agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Each issue profiles one aspect of ARS research. Links take readers to detailed stories on new findings important to the health of livestock, poultry and fish. And a list of all ARS research laboratories that work to improve animal health is just a click away."

Animal Emergency and Disaster Planning Information
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Companion Animals
Pets, information for pet owners; Disaster preparedness; Animal safety; Dog and cat CPR; Pet poison prevention; and more.

Farm Animals
Farm animal rescue; Disaster preparedness for livestock including horses; Animal health. Accidents and livestock; Poisonous plants database; Carcass disposal; and more.

Research Animals
Disaster planning for animal facilities; and more.

Zoo, Circus and Marine Animals
Disaster planning; Training modules; Guidelines for police officers responding to animal incidents; Poison and pesticide information; and more.

Animal Welfare Act Guidelines for County and State Fairs
"The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) requires people who exhibit animals to the public for compensation to
be licensed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The AWA also excludes certain activities from this requirement, including the exhibition of agricultural animals for the purposes of promoting agricultural arts, sciences, and production. This means that agricultural exhibits at State and county fairs are exempt. However, some exhibition activities found at State and county fairs do require the exhibitors to be licensed under the AWA..."