Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that an updated version of its Public Search Tool, which provides access to Animal Welfare Act (AWA) compliance records, will launch on Monday, September 21, 2020.
APHIS reports that updates are necessary as the agency upgrades operating systems and better prepares for cybersecurity threats.
In addition to its current features, the updated search tool will also include a modern search interface and an Excel file listing of active licensees and registrants. The public will also be able to see a count of “teachable moments” used by the agency, which are minor problems identified during inspections but that can be corrected quickly.
During the transition process—August 28 through September 21—the current version of the search tool may continue to be used but it will not be updated with new data. All current data and data generated during the transition period will be available when the updated tool launches on September 21.
For more information, contact APHIS Animal Care or AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.