Which organization is charged with enforcing the Animal Welfare Act?

Which organization is charged with enforcing the Animal Welfare Act?

• A. APHIS official
• B. OLAW
• C. IACUC
• D. NIH

Answer: (A)

Enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act is handled by APHIS, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is part of the USDA. APHIS is responsible for inspecting facilities, licensing entities that handle animals, and taking enforcement actions when there are violations. The other entities play different roles: OLAW oversees institutional assurances for NIH-funded research and monitors compliance with the Public Health Service Policy, but does not enforce the AWA; IACUCs are internal committees at institutions that review and approve animal care and use to ensure humane treatment, not the external enforcers; NIH is a funding agency with oversight requirements, not the enforcement body for the AWA.

Enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act is handled by APHIS, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is part of the USDA. APHIS is responsible for inspecting facilities, licensing entities that handle animals, and taking enforcement actions when there are violations. The other entities play different roles: OLAW oversees institutional assurances for NIH-funded research and monitors compliance with the Public Health Service Policy, but does not enforce the AWA; IACUCs are internal committees at institutions that review and approve animal care and use to ensure humane treatment, not the external enforcers; NIH is a funding agency with oversight requirements, not the enforcement body for the AWA.