Which agency is responsible for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act?

The agency responsible for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This federal agency oversees the welfare of animals used in research, exhibition, and as pets, ensuring that humane standards are maintained in how they are treated and cared for. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) specifically handles the enforcement of regulations associated with the Animal Welfare Act, conducting inspections and ensuring compliance among facilities that handle animals.

The other agencies listed have their distinct responsibilities. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on public health and preventing disease outbreaks, which may involve animal health issues but does not enforce animal welfare laws. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) primarily supports biomedical research and emphasizes ethical treatment in research involving animals but does not enforce the Animal Welfare Act. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is concerned with protecting public health by regulating food safety and pharmaceuticals, which includes some aspects of animal testing for drugs but does not enforce animal welfare legislation.