Which federal statute regulates the sale, transport, and housing of warm-blooded vertebrates used in research in the United States, and is enforced by USDA APHIS?

• A. Animal Welfare Act
• B. Public Health Service Policy
• C. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• D. Animal Research Compliance Act

Answer: (A)

The main point is that the Animal Welfare Act is the federal law that sets the standards for the care, housing, handling, and transportation of warm-blooded vertebrates used in research, and it governs the sale and purchase of these animals. This statute creates the regulatory framework institutions must follow, including registrations, IACUC oversight at research facilities, and the inspections and enforcement carried out by USDA APHIS Animal Care. That enforcement body investigates compliance, issues permits where needed, and can sanction facilities that don’t meet the required standards. The focus on sale, transport, and housing aligns directly with what the Animal Welfare Act regulates for covered species.

It’s useful to note that some species are not covered by this act (for example, birds, rats, and mice bred for research), and for those, other mechanisms like the Public Health Service Policy may apply when the research is federally funded. The other options listed are not statutes enforced by APHIS: a policy from the Public Health Service, a nonbinding guide, or a non-existent act.