Companion AnimalsAnimal Welfare
Information Center
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This site has been provided as a convenience to assist with issues related to companion animals. If you chose to contact us for further information, please note that regulation by USDA, under the Animal Welfare Act and its regulations does not apply to many problems related to companion animals. The Act covers the sale and exhibition of wild/exotic animals and the wholesale of pet animals; however, birds, rats, and mice are exempted, and dogs, cats and other animals have limited coverage. Cold blooded species, such as reptiles, are not regulated under the Act. Wholesale breeders, dealers, exhibitors and research labs are covered but not small retail breeders and pet shops selling only domestic pet animals. These are usually covered by local (state, county) anti-cruelty laws and in some instances by local animal regulations or public health laws. If you have concerns about a facility covered under the Act, you may contact APHIS Animal Care.
If your area of concern is not covered by the Act, please check your local laws to determine what is required. If you have a concern about pet shop conditions, we suggest first contacting the store manager and/or owner to determine if they are aware of the problem before considering it an issue for outside agencies.
Go to:
The Animal Welfare Information
Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Ave.
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
Phone: (301) 504-6212
FAX: (301) 504-7125
E-mail: awic@nal.usda.gov
