USDA - APHIS - Animal Welfare

Policy #13: Animal Identification
Issue Date: March 25, 2011

References:
AWA Section 2141
9 CFR, Part 2, Sections 2.38(g), 2.35(b), 2.50, 2.75(a )

History:
Combines previous policies 13, 19 and 20, and replaces those policies dated April 14, 1997, and July 17, 2000.

Justification:
All dogs and cats must be identified. This policy provides guidance, clarification and recognizes significant advances and effectiveness of alternatives concerning identification methods.

Policy:

Microchip Implants

For Animal Care to approve use of a microchip implantation identification system in breeding stock or research animals, the following requirements must be met:

The microchip must be placed in a standard anatomical location.

The microchip scanner device must be readily available to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) representative and/or the facility employee accompanying the APHIS representative.

The animal identification records must indicate the microchip number, the location on the animal, and the name of the microchip manufacturer.

Any animal with a microchip that goes to another licensee/registrant must have a tag/tattoo if a compatible scanner is not available at the receiving facility.

The Animal Care Regional Director can revoke an approval if the system is found to be ineffective and corrections are not made promptly.

Tattoo Identification of Dogs and Cats

Each licensee who wishes to use a tattoo to identify his/her animals should contact the appropriate Animal Care Regional Office to obtain a code for identification. This code includes the type of business (Class A or Class B) and the State in which he/she is licensed. Examples of the system are as follows:

Class A dealer from Maryland: MDAA through MDAZZ
Class B dealer from Maryland: MDBAA through MDBZZ

In addition to the dealer’s code assigned, the dealer will be required to add the necessary numbers to uniquely identify each animal. Dealers of purpose-bred dogs and cats sold only for research purposes may have special tattoos approved by the Administrator.

Identification of Puppies Less than 16 Weeks of Age

Puppies less than 16 weeks of age do not require individual identification if the following requirements are met:

The puppies are maintained as distinct litters at the facility where they were whelped.
The enclosure containing the puppies is identified with the information required by 9 CFR Section 2.50 until the puppies are sold or moved from the facility where they were whelped or reach the age of 16 weeks, which ever comes first.