Yesterday, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) published its 2022 Impact Report. The report provides an overview of APHIS’ activities and successes.
APHIS oversees over 13,000 breeders, dealers, and exhibitors; research facilities, transporters, and dog importers who are subject to the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). 2022 highlights include:
- Conducting 10,595 site inspections (approximately 3,000 more than was conducted in 2021)—including 1,248 unannounced at research facilities—to assess the health, care, and treatment of more than 1.4 million animals and found 96% of licensees and registrants in substantial compliance with the AWA.
- Issued 3,167 import permits covering 15,412 dogs for resale in the United States.
- Took civil and administrative action to address alleged AWA violations, including opening 262 cases, issuing 204 official warnings, obtaining 17 administrative orders, and permanently revoking seven other licenses to support AWA compliance and deter future violations. All of these statistics are significantly higher than what was reported in 2021.
Click here to learn about current federal legislation that seeks to restrict and limit the activities of all types of American dog breeders.
The full APHIS 2022 Impact Report is available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/aphis_general/2022-impact-report.pdf.
For more information:
Go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/home.
Review regulations updates in AKC’s Regulatory Resources Center.
Contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.