Animal Welfare Publications, Guidance Documents, and Forms

Last Modified: November 25, 2024

Are you part of our regulated community or looking to learn more? We offer many publications and guidance documents on the Animal Welfare Act and related topics. Here, you'll also find forms for current licensees and registrants.

Animal Care Aids

These documents give easy-to-understand information to aid our regulated community and anyone who cares for animals in providing humane care.

Last UpdatedDocumentTopic
2018-10Bear Husbandry and Habitat (376.56 KB)Bears
2018-10Bear Nutrition and Winter Lethargy (296.83 KB)Bears
2018-10Environmental Enrichment for Bears (356.94 KB)Bears
2018-10Veterinary Care for Bears (207.81 KB)Bears
2023-08Access to Potable Water for Dogs (1016.18 KB)Dogs
2023-07Aging Puppies by Teeth (350.72 KB)Dogs
2022-06Minimum Space Requirements for Dogs (779.51 KB)Dogs
2021-05Flea Control for Dogs (326.18 KB)Dogs
2021-05Heartworm Disease in Dogs (287.91 KB)Dogs
2021-05Intestinal Parasites in Dogs (375.16 KB)Dogs
2019-06Common Skin Disorders in Dogs (434.5 KB)Dogs
2019-06Early Rearing Environment (549.17 KB)Dogs
2019-06Identifying Healthy and Unhealthy Skin in Dogs (592.91 KB)Dogs
2019-06Maternal Stress and Puppy Development (211.1 KB)Dogs
2019-06Socialization (616.08 KB)Dogs
2018-10Canine Periodontal Disease (PD) (288.72 KB)Dogs
2018-06Coat Care: Preventing Matted Hair (177.69 KB)Dogs
2018-10Monitoring for Periodontal Disease (PD) in Dogs (325.57 KB)Dogs
2018-10Preventive Care for Periodontal Disease (PD) in Dogs (315.87 KB)Dogs
2021-01Tips for Shelter and Housing at Drive-Through Animal Parks (346.11 KB)Drive-Through Animal Parks
2019-08Keeping Animals Safe During Emergencies (441.05 KB)Emergency Preparedness
2023-11Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures (224.29 KB)Facilities
2023-11Infection Control Practices (215.95 KB)Facilities
2023-11What is Antibiotic or Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) (253.15 KB)Facilities
2018-10Mammals That Fly or Glide (267.35 KB)Flying or Gliding Mammals
2019-11Protecting Giraffes in Cold Weather (598.35 KB)Giraffes
2023-06Guinea Pig Eye Health (766.32 KB)Guinea Pigs
2023-06Guinea Pig Skin Disease  (343.13 KB)Guinea Pigs
2020-07Clean Housing is Vital to Guinea Pig Health (506.47 KB)Guinea Pigs
2020-07Guinea Pigs Do Best When Housed at the Right Temperature (657.57 KB)Guinea Pigs
2020-07Minimizing Stress Helps Keep Guinea Pigs Healthy (581.83 KB)Guinea Pigs
2019-04Feeding Nondomestic Cats (652.18 KB)Nondomestic Cats
2019-04Metabolic Bone Disease in Nondomestic Cats (582.32 KB)Nondomestic Cats
2019-04Tips and Calculations: Adding Calcium to Boneless Meat Diets for Nondomestic Cats (475.54 KB)Nondomestic Cats
2020-05Public Feeding of Animals in Petting Zoos and Other Settings (324.31 KB)Petting Zoos
2019-06Enrichment Devices for Primates (471.14 KB)Primates
2018-10Options for Meeting Social Needs of Primates (265.87 KB)Primates
2018-10Primates: Natural Social Groupings and Compatibility (229.5 KB)Primates
2018-10Primates: Special Needs of Great Apes (253.47 KB)Primates
2018-10Primates: Special Needs of Infants and Young Juveniles (268.33 KB)Primates
2018-10Special Needs of Primates Showing Signs of Psychological Distress (188.41 KB)Primates
2018-10Special Needs of Primates With Research Restrictions (228.89 KB)Primates
2018-10Special Needs of Primates Unable To See or Hear Other Primates (278.78 KB)Primates
2018-10Supporting Natural Behaviors in Primates (332.49 KB)Primates
2020-01Daily Observations: Behavior (234.47 KB)Regulated Animals
2020-01Daily Observations: Physical Health (185.78 KB)Regulated Animals
2018-10Semi-Aquatic Animals (295.23 KB)Semi-Aquatic Animals
2021-04Feeding Two-Toed Sloths (235.93 KB)Sloths
2021-04Housing Two-Toed Sloths (536.37 KB)Sloths

Tech Notes and Other Publications

These documents offer easy-to-understand guidance to help current licensees and registrants provide humane care to their animals, comply with all AWA regulations, and understand the inspection process.

Last Updated DateDocumentTopicDocument Type
2021-04The Attending Veterinarian (498.42 KB)Attending VeterinarianTech Note
2024-04Preparing Your Avian Environment Enhancement Plan: It’s More Than Adding Toys! (401.42 KB)BirdsTech Note
2022-05Guidance for Zoos and Captive Wildlife Facilities: Protecting Birds From Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (552.5 KB)BirdsFactsheet
2022-03Protecting Captive Wild Birds From Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (241.05 KB)BirdsTech Note
2022-03Development Guide: Contingency Plans for Emergencies (1.12 MB)Contingency PlansTech Note
2022-03Quick Reference: Contingency Plans for Emergencies (569 KB)Contingency PlansTech Note
2022-02Daily Observation (1.43 MB)Daily Animal ObservationTech Note
2022-07Temperature Requirements for Dogs (940.3 KB)DogsTech Note
2022-06Minimum Space Requirements for Dogs (775.44 KB)DogsTech Note
2021-04Live Dog Import Permit Requirements Under the Animal Welfare Act (393.64 KB)DogsTech Note
2018-11Questions and Answers: Dog Activities Requiring a USDA License/Registration (698.97 KB)DogsTech Note
2016-08Brucellosis and Dog Kennels: What Breeders Need to Know (3 MB)DogsBrochure
2015-10Best Practices for Brucella canis Prevention and Control in Dog Breeding Facilities (350.78 KB)DogsBooklet
2022-08Identification and Recordkeeping Requirements for Dogs and Cats (530.37 KB)Dogs and CatsTech Note
2022-03Minimum Age Requirements for Transporting Dogs and Cats in Commerce (773.88 KB)Dogs and CatsTech Note
2024-10Comparable Standards Evaluation for Foreign Facilities Importing Marine Mammals from the United States (140.46 KB)FacilitiesGuidance
2023-07Categorizing Animal Pain or Distress in Research Facility Annual Reports (378.58 KB)FacilitiesTech Note
2024-10The Horse Protection Act: Records and Reporting Requirements for Horse Show, Exhibition, Sale, and Auction Managers (572.02 KB)Horse ProtectionTech Note
2024-10The Horse Protection Act: What Horse Show, Exhibition, Sale, and Auction Managers Need to Know (590.18 KB)Horse ProtectionTech Note
2023-04Attempted Inspections (879.94 KB)InspectionsTech Note
2022-04Inspection Report Appeals Process (1.14 MB)InspectionsTech Note
2023-02Licensing and Registration Under the Animal Welfare Act: Guidelines for Dealers, Exhibitors, Transporters, and Researchers  (187.97 KB)(Gray Book)LicensingBooklet
2022-06Licensing Changes Under the 2020 Licensing Rule (1022.08 KB)LicensingTech Note
2022-05Veterinary Care Changes Under the 2020 Licensing Rule (851.44 KB)LicensingTech Note
2022-05Handling and Husbandry of Neonatal Nondomestic Cats (1.16 MB)Nondomestic catsTech Note
2022-01Research With Free-Living Wild Animals in Their Natural Habitat and the Animal Welfare Act (1.12 MB)ResearchTech Note
2022-08Zoo and Aquarium Serology Study (512.28 KB)Zoos and AquariumsFactsheet


 

Forms

Below are forms for current licensees and registrants.

Last UpdatedDocumentForm Number
2018-04Program of Veterinary CareAPHIS Form 7002 (177.81 KB)
2022-03Program of Veterinary Care for DogsAPHIS Form 7002A (231.18 KB)
2020-11Record of Acquisition of Dogs and CatsAPHIS Form 7005 (167.6 KB)
2021-05Record of Disposition of Dogs and CatsAPHIS Form 7006 (166.53 KB)
2021-05Continuation Sheet for Record of Disposition of Dogs and CatsAPHIS Form 7006A (158.04 KB)
2020-01Itinerary of Exhibition With Overnight TravelAPHIS Form 7010 (1.14 MB)
2020-01Continuation Sheet for Itinerary of Exhibition With Overnight TravelAPHIS Form 7010A (1.14 MB)
2020-08Exercise Plan for DogsAPHIS Form 7013 (132.79 KB)
2020-11Record of Animals On-Hand (Other Than Dogs and Cats)APHIS Form 7019 (130.88 KB)
2020-11Record of Acquisition, Disposition or Transport of Animals (Other Than Dogs and Cats)APHIS Form 7020 (153.23 KB)
2020-11Continuation Sheet for Record of Acquisition, Disposition or Transport of Animals (Other Than Dogs and Cats)APHIS Form 7020A (195.29 KB)
2020-11Environment Enhancement Program for Nonhuman PrimatesAPHIS Form 7050 (258.72 KB)
2024-08Environment Enhancement Program for BirdsAPHIS Form 7052 (246.57 KB)
2021-05Contingency Planning ProgramAPHIS Form 7093 (268.77 KB)

Animal Welfare Regulations

Animal Care operates in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act. Find out more about those regulations below.

Animal Welfare Act Regulations

(PDF, 3.67 MB)

(also known as the "Blue Book")
Horse Protection Act Regulations
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