USDA Seeks Feedback on Updating Animal Welfare Reporting Forms
Published Date: 1/8/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service wants to update and keep collecting info about how animals are treated by dealers, exhibitors, research labs, and transporters. This helps make sure animals are cared for humanely. If you’re involved, you can share your thoughts by March 9, 2026, and there’s no new cost for you right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Continued Recordkeeping and Reporting
If you are a dealer, exhibitor, auction operator, research facility, carrier, or intermediate handler covered by the Animal Welfare Act, you will continue to have to submit and keep information such as license and registration applications, annual reports, health records, itineraries, acquisition/disposition records, permits, and inspection responses. APHIS is requesting OMB approval to continue these collections for an additional 3 years and is taking public comments through March 9, 2026.
Estimated Reporting Burden and Responses
APHIS estimates 52,735 respondents making 18 responses each per year (972,781 total responses), with an average burden of 0.232 hours per response and a total annual burden of 225,730 hours. These numeric estimates apply to the combined information collection under OMB Control Number 0579-0036 (which will incorporate activities from 0579-0486).
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Key Dates
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