Frequently Asked Questions

Question:  What is the Animal Welfare Act (AWA)?
Answer: For nearly 50 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has enforced the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to protect certain animals from inhumane treatment and neglect. Congress passed the AWA in 1966 and strengthened the law through amendments in 1970, 1976,1985, 1990, 2002, 2007, and 2008. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) administers the AWA, its standards, and its regulations.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/forms/APHIS_Form_7003-7003A_Class-A-and-B_AppKit.pdf


Question: How does the AWA pertain to dogs?
Answer: The AWA and associated regulations require a USDA license for anyone who (for compensation or profit) buys, sells (including adoption), or negotiates the sale of dogs for research, exhibition, or use as a pet; or for hunting, breeding, or security purposes at the wholesale level. Additionally, the AWA restricts the import of dogs for purposes of resale, prohibits dog-fighting ventures, and provides protections to prevent the theft of pet dogs.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/forms/APHIS_Form_7003-7003A_Class-A-and-B_AppKit.pdf

Question: What are examples of activities requiring a USDA License?
Answer: Examples of activities requiring a USDA license include but are not limited to:

• wholesale sales of dogs for use as pets or for hunting, breeding or security purposes;
• transferring dogs (and receiving any compensation) to another individual, business, or organization for
  subsequent placement or adoption;
• retail sales (including adoption) of dogs where the buyer, seller, and dog are not physically together in the
  same place so the person buying or acquiring the animal cannot observe it prior to purchase or taking
  custody;
• sales (including adoption) of imported dogs where the buyer, seller, and dog are not physically together in
  the same place so the buyer can observe the animal prior to purchase or taking custody;
• the sale of any dog not born and raised on the business owner’s premises for research purposes; and
• the exhibition of more than eight dogs.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/forms/APHIS_Form_7003-7003A_Class-A-and-B_AppKit.pdf
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Question: What does the AWA regulate?
Answer: AWA regulates the transportation, purchase, sale, care, handling,  and treatment of animals intended for use in research, exhibitions, or as pets. 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/breeders/commercial-dog-introduction-aphis-animal-care-and-regulatory-process-slides.pdf

Question: How does AWA insure compliance? What does compliance ensure?
Answer: To ensure licensed facilities follow the rules of the AWA, inspectors perform pre license inspections, unannounced compliance inspections, and follow up inspections. Inspections ensure the facility is compliance with the AWA at all times, that paperwork and record keeping is correct, complete, up to date, and available for review by the inspectors. 
​https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/breeders/commercial-dog-introduction-aphis-animal-care-and-regulatory-process-slides.pdf

Question: What is a Class A license?
Answer: A class A license is required when an individual breeders business activities include the birth of animals on the premise in a closed colony and when animals are added to the colony for the purposes of maintaining or enhancing the breeding of the colony. This is includes most commercial dog breeders. ​​https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/breeders/commercial-dog-introduction-aphis-animal-care-and-regulatory-process-slides.pdf

Question: What are Class A requirements?
Answer: Requirements include but are not limited to:

• An in house veterinarian and program of veterinarian care. The in house veterinarian must visit the facility and the program of veterinarian care must be signed by both the veterinarian and the breeder. The program of veterinarian care includes systematic health care, to include dental care, to both adult and juvenile animals living within the colony. 
• Acquisition and disposition records. All records must be complete, accurate, and available to the inspectors at all times. 
• A veterinarian approved exercise plan. 
• An approved waste management plan. 

​ ​​https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/breeders/commercial-dog-introduction-aphis-animal-care-and-regulatory-process-slides.pdf

Question: What are facility requirements?
Answer: Facility requirements include but are not limited to:

• Finished building. 
• Climate control.
• Potable filtered water.
• Indoor and outdoor shelters. 
• Bedding.
• Indoor and outdoor lighting to include natural light.
• Water resistant walls. 

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