Primary Regulatory Documents
Animal Welfare Act (AWA)
The Animal Welfare Act is a federal law that regulates the treatment of animals used in research, teaching, testing, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. It outlines standards of care for animals used for these purposes. The AWA is enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). All research facilities that utilize regulated species must register with the USDA, regardless of funding source.
Curious about the history of the AWA? Check out this interactive timeline curated by the Animal Welfare Information Center.
The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (8th Edition) (PDF)
The Guide is a primary reference on animal care and use programs. It includes performance-based guidelines and recommendations to “assist institutions in caring for and using animals in a way that is judged to be scientifically, technically, and humanely appropriate.” Its use is required by the Public Health Service policy, and is one of three standards utilized by AAALAC, International, a non-profit organization that supports the humane use of animals in science through voluntary assessment and accreditation.
Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) (PDF)
Mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985, the PHS Policy This policy applies to all animal activities supported by PHS funds (e.g., CDC, NIH), as well as those supported by NSF and NASA funding. The PHS Policy is enforced by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). All organizations receiving PHS funding must have an Animal Welfare Assurance with OLAW.
PHS Policy Tutorial: https://olaw.nih.gov/resources/tutorial
Other Guidance
Guidelines for Euthanasia of Animals (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2020) (PDF)
Guidelines for the Use of Wild Mammals in Research (American Society of Mammalogists, 2016) (PDF)
Guidelines for the Use of Wild Birds in Research (The Ornithological Council, 2023)