USDA Provides Guidance on Handling and Husbandry of Neonatal, Nondomestic Cats

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Newborn and infant nondomestic cats 28 days of age or younger (neonate or neonatal) have special handling and husbandry needs. The Animal Welfare Act regulations require licensees to provide these animals with preventive and responsive veterinary care and adequate housing and nutrition, and to ensure that they are handled safely and protected from harm. 

 

Therefore, APHIS has notified all affected USDA license holders of their regulatory responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act. Licensees must ensure that newborn and infant nondomestic cats are handled safely and protected from the harm to their immune systems that can ensue if they are exposed to the public and other animals. 

 

We have outlined the specific guidelines in a new publication, located here.

 

 

At USDA Animal Care, ensuring the welfare of the animals we regulate is at the heart of everything we do.