In terms of the 1970 amendment of the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act, what was an important change?

• A. The act now applied to the animal throughout their stay in the research facility
• B. Expanded animal coverage to birds and mice
• C. Created new animal care guidelines
• D. Reduced inspections frequency

Answer: (A)

The important idea here is that the 1970 amendment extended welfare protections to cover the animal for the entire time it stays in the research facility. This means humane care requirements apply from when the animal enters the facility, through housing, handling, and use, all the way to its disposal, rather than only applying at certain stages such as procurement or transport. That shift places ongoing responsibility on the facility to maintain appropriate housing, sanitation, veterinary care, and record-keeping throughout the animal’s stay, which strengthens overall welfare. While the amendment also broadened which species fall under the Act, the key practical impact for daily practice is the continuous coverage during the animal’s time in the facility.