Transparency and public access to information are vital components of ensuring animal welfare. The Usda Animal Care Public Search Tool serves as a pivotal resource, offering a comprehensive database of information concerning facilities, inspections, and annual reports related to animal care. This powerful tool, refined for enhanced user experience, grants the public access to Animal Welfare Act (AWA) compliance records, reinforcing the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) commitment to making animal welfare data publicly accessible and upholding legal standards.
The APHIS Animal Care program plays a crucial role in the daily administration of the AWA. This involves setting and maintaining humane standards for the care and treatment of regulated animals. Compliance is achieved and monitored through diligent inspections, robust enforcement, educational initiatives, and collaborative efforts. The AWA and its regulations are designed to ensure the ethical handling, care, treatment, and transportation of specific warm-blooded animals intended for research, exhibition, or use as pets.
Entities such as animal dealers and exhibitors are required to obtain licenses, while research facilities, carriers, and intermediate handlers must secure registrations. Animal Care inspectors are tasked with conducting thorough inspections of these licensees and registrants, examining animals, records, and facilities to assess adherence to the AWA and its regulations. Their findings and professional evaluations are meticulously documented in detailed inspection reports. Furthermore, licensees and registrants are obligated to inform Animal Care of any operational changes and submit regular updates, including annual reports detailing animal use in research facilities.
The Public Search Tool is a central repository listing individuals and businesses licensed and registered under the AWA, alongside inspection reports and annual research facility animal use reports. For those seeking information or records not readily available through this tool, the Animal Care website provides additional resources. Alternatively, individuals may submit a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to access further information.
APHIS’s USDA Animal Care Public Search Tool is instrumental in providing public transparency into the agency’s fulfillment of its statutory responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act, in accordance with all applicable laws. To effectively utilize this resource, users can access a comprehensive User Guide and a demo video. These resources offer detailed instructions on how to navigate the tool and efficiently query information related to facilities, inspections, and annual reports, empowering the public to stay informed about animal welfare.
