Congressional statement of policy
The Congress finds that animals and activities which are regulated under this chapter are either in interstate or foreign commerce or substantially affect such commerce or the free flow thereof, and that regulation of animals and activities as provided in this chapter is necessary to prevent and eliminate burdens upon such commerce and to effectively regulate such commerce, in order—
to insure that animals intended for use in research facilities or for exhibition purposes or for use as pets are provided humane care and treatment;
to assure the humane treatment of animals during transportation in commerce; and
to protect the owners of animals from the theft of their animals by preventing the sale or use of animals which have been stolen.
The Congress further finds that it is essential to regulate, as provided in this chapter, the transportation, purchase, sale, housing, care, handling, and treatment of animals by carriers or by persons or organizations engaged in using them for research or experimental purposes or for exhibition purposes or holding them for sale as pets or for any such purpose or use.
Source
(Pub. L. 89–544, § 1(b), formerly § 1,Notes
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1985 Amendment
Effective Date of 1970 Amendment
Short Title of 1976 Amendment
Short Title of 1970 Amendment
Short Title
Congressional Findings for 1985 Amendment
the use of animals is instrumental in certain research and education for advancing knowledge of cures and treatment for diseases and injuries which afflict both humans and animals;
methods of testing that do not use animals are being and continue to be developed which are faster, less expensive, and more accurate than traditional animal experiments for some purposes and further opportunities exist for the development of these methods of testing;
measures which eliminate or minimize the unnecessary duplication of experiments on animals can result in more productive use of Federal funds; and
measures which help meet the public concern for laboratory animal care and treatment are important in assuring that research will continue to progress.”