Center for Animal Welfare
The Center for Animal Welfare provides guidance on animal welfare issues to regulated and non-regulated stakeholders. Our diverse network of partners and experts serve as the national resource for policy analysis, education and outreach, and science and technology in support of the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection Acts. We partner with U.S. and international experts to provide accurate, unbiased, science-based information.
Led by Dr. Martha Keller, DVM, MS, DACAW, the Center features a team of specialists with expertise in a wide range of animal species. We are available to provide advice and best practices not only to APHIS but also other Federal agencies, stakeholders, cooperatives, universities, State and local governments, and other countries. We also provide leadership on the safety and well-being of animals during emergencies. Additionally, we provide leadership and current information on the latest in animal welfare science and technology and help analyze animal care-related policies.
For more information, email us at centerforanimalwelfare@usda.gov.
Animal Welfare Symposia
2024 Bat Welfare Symposium
The USDA APHIS Center for Animal Welfare is excited to invite all interested parties to a 2-day Bat Welfare Symposium on April 10-12, 2024. This virtual event will address proper care and welfare considerations for captive and wild bats. Speakers will cover a wide range of topics focusing on general improvements to health and welfare, managing bat populations, bat transportation, ensuring proper nutrition, welfare during rehabilitation, and anthropogenic issues affecting bat welfare. There is no registration fee to register and we have applied for 12 RACE credits for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Please click the register now button to register for the event. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at centerforanimalwelfare@usda.gov
All sessions receiving speaker authorization will be recorded and posted on USDA APHIS | Center for Animal Welfare (CAW) after the event. Please be patient, USDA is revising web content and is not able to provide a definitive date for these recording will be available.
2023 Animal Transportation Welfare Symposium
In 2023, the Center for Animal Welfare organized and hosted a 2-day event, which addressed health and welfare concerns during transportation for animals covered under the Animal Welfare Act. Guest and internal speakers covered a wide range of welfare issues on species ranging from zoo animals to marine mammals, to pets and their welfare during both ground and air transportation. All recorded sessions are listed below and available for viewing on APHIS YouTube.
Animal Transportation Welfare Symposium Day 1 Presentation Recordings
- Marine Mammal Transportation
- Overview of AWA Registration, Regulations, and Standards during Transportation
- The Changing Landscape of Ground Transportation
- Live Dog Importation– Animal Transportation Welfare Symposium 2023
- Preparing and Acclimating Dogs for Transportation
- Contingency Planning
- Day 1 Panel Discussion
Animal Transportation Welfare Symposium Day 2 Presentation Recordings
- Exotic Animal Transportation
- Nonhuman Primate Transportation
- A Wildlife Inspector’s Experience with Animal Transportation
- CDC Perspective on Animal Transportation
- Conservation Logistics - Best Practices in Animal Transportation, What We Have Learned in 60+ Years
- Innovative Transport Monitoring Equipment
- AZA Zoo Registrar’s Perspective on Welfare & Transportation
- Day 2 Panel Discussion
2023 Small Pets Welfare Symposium
In 2023, the Center for Animal Welfare organized and hosted a 2-day virtual event, which addressed health and welfare concerns for small pet mammals including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, ferrets, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders. Guest and internal speakers focused on general improvements to the health and welfare of small pet species and recent concerns in the guinea pig industry regarding Encephalitozoon Cuniculi. All recorded sessions are listed below and available for viewing on APHIS YouTube.
Small Pets Welfare Symposium Day 1 Presentation Recordings
- Overview of Animal Care
- Current Status in the Field
- Conducting Daily Observations
- Pet Store Legislation and Market Trends
- Diagnostic Testing Methods for Small Mammals
- Day 1 Panel Discussion
Small Pets Welfare Symposium Day 2 Presentation Recordings
2017 Nonhuman Primate Symposium: Practical Solutions to Welfare Challenges
In 2017, the Center sponsored a 2-day event focusing on the psychological and physical well-being of nonhuman primates. We provided targeted, practical information for enhancing compliance and animal welfare at regulated facilities.
Presentations
- Behavior-Based Husbandry for Lemurs
- Creating Environments that Support Species Specific Behaviors for Captive Chimpanzees
- Functionally Appropriate Behaviors of Capuchins, Spider Monkeys, and Squirrel Monkeys
- Managing Abnormal Behaviors
- Just Listen – Giving Animals a Voice to Improve Their Quality of Life
- Nutritional Aspects of Non-human Primate Care
- Preventative Health Care of Primates in Captivity
- Geriatric Care of Primates in Captivity
- Developing an Environment Enhancement Plan
2014 Lions, Tigers, and Bears Symposium
In 2014, the Center sponsored an educational symposium focusing on welfare, husbandry, and safety. The 2-day event covered a range of topics, including behavior-based husbandry, safety, disaster preparedness, hand rearing, transportation, operant conditioning, enrichment, and diet/nutrition to help lions, tigers and bears thrive in captivity.