The U.S. Department of Agriculture seeks comment on a proposed change to the Animal Welfare Act regulations.

“We wish to change the regulations so that animals confiscated by the USDA can be placed with people and facilities not currently licensed under the AWA,” said W. Ron DeHaven, deputy administrator for animal care with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of USDA’s marketing and regulatory programs mission area. “We are considering this change to better protect the animals under our jurisdiction.”

The proposed change would allow AC to place animals confiscated from situations detrimental to the animals’ health and well-being with a person or facility that is not licensed or registered with APHIS. The person or facility must offer a level of care equal to or exceeding that required by AWA regulations. The change in regulations would facilitate the relocation of confiscated animals and minimize the amount of time neglected, sick, or injured animals stay in unhealthy situations