Animal Welfare Inspection Guide Updated by USDA APHIS

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) announced that it will update the Animal Welfare Inspection Guide to ensure consistency and align with congressional directives.

In its announcement, APHIS noted that it will continue to use courtesy visits for facilities that are (1) considering seeking licensure or registration under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), (2) seeking guidance on how to ensure they are compliance with the AWA and its regulations, and (3) looking to improve their understanding of the AWA’s requirements.  A courtesy visit will also be offered to all regulated facilities that receive their first repeat attempted inspection report.

For AWA-Licensed or -Registered Facilities

When scheduling a courtesy visit, APHIS staff must provide certain notifications to the facility, including that if a direct non-compliant item (NCI) is identified, the courtesy visit will end, and the inspector will immediately begin a focused inspection.  Additionally, facilities must be notified that any direct NCIs identified during a courtesy visit will be cited on an inspection report.

During the courtesy visit, inspectors will walk through the facility and review its records, and licensees/registrants may take notes of the inspector’s findings or suggestions.  The visit will also include a presentation about the inspection process and updating the facility’s contact worksheet.  The inspector will also attempt to identify the reason the facility missed an inspection and will work with the licensee/registrant to find a solution.  Inspectors must also let a licensee/registrant know that the courtesy visit will be followed by a future unannounced inspection.

If a direct NCI is found during a courtesy visit of a regulated facility, the inspector will end the courtesy visit and begin a focused inspection, which will follow all procedures required by USDA.  On the inspection report, the inspector will cite the direct NCI discovered during the courtesy visit along with any other observed NCIs.

Unannounced inspections will follow to ensure that NCIs are corrected.

For Facilities Not Yet Licensed or Registered

Like for those already licensed/registered, a courtesy visit to facilities considering applying for a license/registration will be documented in APHIS’ eFile system.  Inspectors will ensure the applicant understands the AWA’s regulations and standards, and that they are prepared for the first licensing inspection.  Inspectors will also offer to walk through the facilities and animal areas, and provide feedback regarding the facility’s level of compliance.

If a direct animal welfare problem is identified during the courtesy visit to a facility that is not licensed/registered, the inspector must contact their supervisor for guidance.  Additionally, the inspector may contact local law enforcement or state animal welfare organizations to make them aware of the problem.

AKC Advocates for Collaborative Relationships Between APHIS and Licensees/Registrants

The American Kennel Club (AKC) believes that a collaborative relationship between APHIS and owners/managers of facilities licensed or registered under the AWA benefits the overall care of animals, helps ensure compliance with AWA regulations, and promotes regulatory and enforcement efficiency.  To that end, AKC continues to advocate for APHIS’ reimplementation of teachable moments as a tool in addressing minor, isolated noncompliances discovered during facility inspections that do not have an impact on the welfare or care of animals.  Teachable moments provided an opportunity for breeders and other regulated entities to receive APHIS guidance to improve their operations.  Unfortunately, a 2022 congressional directive required APHIS to stop using teachable moments.  As a result, all noncompliances, including minor issues not impacting animal welfare or care, were to be cited on inspection reports.

Resources

• APHIS’ Blue Book, which includes both the Animal Welfare Act and its Animal Welfare Regulations – https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/ac_bluebook_awa_508_comp_version.pdf
• USDA’s Animal Welfare Inspection Guide – https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/animal-welfare-inspection-guide.pdf
• USDA Breeder Licensing: Why ‘Teachable Moments’ Matter (AKC blog, March 2023) –
• https://www.akcgr.org/blogpostUSDALicensingTeachableMoments/
• Activists Push for Misguided Law Undermining Animal Welfare (DC Journal, October 2022) – https://dcjournal.com/activists-push-for-misguided-law-undermining-animal-welfare/

For More Information, Contact…

USDA APHIS:
On the web: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/contact

AKC GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
On the web: www.akcgr.org
By email: doglaw@akc.org
By phone: (919) 816-3720

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=330896

Posted by Liz on Jun 22 2025. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.