The above listings are intended as guidance only. Persons selling animals listed in the middle column, or animals not listed may wish to contact the appropriate Animal Care regional office for guidance.

Animal Enclosures
Animals are often maintained at an auction ground in transport enclosures. These animals are considered to be "in transit" and may remain in these enclosures while at the auction as long as all requirements for transport enclosures are met or exceeded. Only the enclosure requirements from the Transportation Standards for the appropriate species will be used to determine compliance. However, if an animal shows obvious physical distress, including signs of behavioral stress, physical harm or unnecessary discomfort while held for long periods in a transport enclosure, the auction owner (and the consignor, if licensed) will be cited for a handling violation. Incompatible animals should not to be held in the same enclosure or close to other animals that may cause them stress.

Handling of Animals
Auction employees must be properly trained and experienced to handle animals during a sale. If the auction does not have any personnel qualified to handle certain animals, those animals should only be handled by the consignor, assuming that person is qualified. Being transferred from a transport enclosure to another larger enclosure can be stressful for many animals and must be accomplished by persons trained in making such transfers. There can be disastrous results if animals are moved by untrained and/or inexperienced persons. If an individual enters the auction facility with an animal (e. g. a primate) that is not consigned, and becomes involved in an incident with that animal, the auction (and the individual, if licensed) may be cited for a handling violation.

Regulatory Responsibilities
Responsibility for care of the animals rests with the consignor (if the consignor is licensed or required to be licensed) as well as the operator of the auction. All regulatory requirements for the animals’ care, including the provision of veterinary care when necessary, must be met. The auction’s responsibility does not extend to animals kept in transport vehicles in auction parking lots, etc. Animals are then the sole responsibility of the persons transporting them. Every covered animal that the auction consigns will be regulated while it is within the auction facility.

Public Exhibition of Animals
Animals are often kept on display for public viewing during an auction. In fact, many members of the public go to auctions simply to see the animals with no intention of bidding on them. Therefore, operators of auctions should utilize appropriate barriers and/or distance so as to ensure the safety of the animals and public. A sufficient number of readily identifiable attendants should be present at all periods of public contact with the animals.