Animal Welfare Act

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was enacted in the United States in 1966 in response to public outcry over animal testing and treatment. This legislation defines specific warm-blooded animals, including dogs, cats, and primates, that are protected. It mandates the establishment of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) at research facilities to oversee animal welfare.1

While the AWA regulates the housing and transportation of covered animals, it does not regulate the experiments themselves. Additional regulations apply to animal studies funded by the U.S. Public Health Service, which incorporate standards for care and use, emphasizing the minimization of discomfort and pain.1

Despite these regulations, a significant number of animals, such as rats, mice, fish, and birds, are not covered by the AWA, leaving them without federal protection from mistreatment. The AWA has been amended several times, including in 1970, 1976, and 1985, to further refine animal welfare standards. The "Three Rs" of humane experimentation—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—form a basis for many animal welfare laws, including the AWA.213