Sent cats even true offer when for dogs who photos Minimal regulations are therefore imposed on animal research. Although the AWA requires that the pain inflicted on laboratory animals be curbed by medication, no relief need be given if the experiment itself involves pain monitoring. Although the AWA theoretically forbids the unnecessary duplication of a specific experiment using regulated animals, it does not permit APHIS to interfere with research procedures. short, the regulation of laboratory animals mandates only basic care, not any type of humane treatment. The regulations that implement the most recent amendment to the AWA are also disturbing, particularly with regard to laboratory animals. Although Congress required the Secretary of Agriculture to draft comprehensive standards to define such terms as humane and primate psychological well-being, he did not. Instead, the Secretary drafted regulations that allowed individual research facilities to document their own definitions of these terms. As a result, research facilities do not have to answer to any authority interested the care of animals. The federal laws described this publication are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA inspectors are stationed at federal slaughterhouses to check for compliance with the Humane Slaughter Act and Federal Meat Inspection Act. Unfortunately, very few violations are cited and investigations have revealed that U.S. humane slaughter laws are being routinely ignored as meat plants grow larger. Former USDA employees report that live cattle are routinely skinned, squealing pigs immersed scalding water, and still-conscious animals abused other ways to keep production lines moving quickly. The USDA is also responsible for administering the Horse Protection Act and the Animal Welfare Act. The Animal Care division of APHIS enforces the AWA through licensing commercial animal breeders, dealers, brokers, transportation companies, exhibitors, and research facilities. The agency also searches for unlicensed individuals or facilities and investigates complaints from the public. APHIS inspectors are required to make unannounced inspections at least once annually. If inspection reveals deficiencies meeting the AWA standards and regulations, the inspector instructs the facility to correct the problems within a given time frame. Uncorrected deficiencies are documented and possible legal action is considered. Legal actions include Official Notices of Warning or agency stipulation letters that set civil penalties for infractions. Civil penalties include cease-and-desist orders, fines, and license suspensions or revocations. Although the AWA requires that inspections be conducted annually, not all facilities are reviewed that frequently. Only approximately 70 field inspectors are employed by APHIS to perform compliance inspections at more than 10 regulated sites per year. This number includes 4 dealer, 2 research, 2 exhibitor, and 1 carrier sites. For farm animals and any inhumane treatment such as lack of food, water, shelter, or necessary medical attention, report directly to your local humane organization or animal control agency. areas not served by such agency, contact the local law enforcement office and the nearest humane agency that be able to offer assistance. When reporting a complaint, obtain all available information concerning the alleged cruelty, such as the actual street address with directions to the site, and names if known. Law enforcement officials are more cooperative when you can offer solid evidence such as photographs, video, and statements from witnesses with their name, address, telephone number, and description of what they witnessed. The Animal Welfare Act is administered by the Animal Care division of the USDA's Animal and Plant Inspection Service The main area where APHIS receives information from the public is the care and treatment of animals used entertainment. If you witness animal at exhibition with inadequate food, water, space, or veterinary care, report the incident to APHIS. You can call or write a letter giving details of the incident, and the agency send investigator to the site. Contact the office nearest to you. APHIS has the authority to take custody of animals whose safety