7 U.S.C. § 2131 - Congressional statement of policy

• Cite as: 7 U.S.C. § 2131

The Congress finds that animals and activities which are regulated under this chapter are either in interstate or foreign commerce or substantially affect such commerce or the free flow thereof, and that regulation of animals and activities as provided in this chapter is necessary to prevent and eliminate burdens upon such commerce and to effectively regulate such commerce, in order-

(1) to insure that animals intended for use in research facilities or for exhibition purposes or for use as pets are provided humane care and treatment;

(2) to assure the humane treatment of animals during transportation in commerce; and

(3) to protect the owners of animals from the theft of their animals by preventing the sale or use of animals which have been stolen.

The Congress further finds that it is essential to regulate, as provided in this chapter, the transportation, purchase, sale, housing, care, handling, and treatment of animals by carriers or by persons or organizations engaged in using them for research or experimental purposes or for exhibition purposes or holding them for sale as pets or for any such purpose or use.

Cite as 7 U.S.C. § 2131

Source: Pub. L. 89-544, §1(b), formerly §1, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 350; Pub. L. 91-579, §2, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1560; renumbered and amended Pub. L. 94-279, §2, Apr. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 417.

current through 7/7/2021

AMENDMENTS

1976- Pub. L. 94-279 restated and expanded objectives of this chapter to include regulation of animals and activities in, or substantially affecting, interstate or foreign commerce in order to prevent and eliminate burdens on such commerce and to assure the humane treatment of animals during transportation.

1970- Pub. L. 91-579 restated objectives to include all animals as defined instead of only cats and dogs and expanded coverage to regulate animals intended for use for exhibition purposes or for use as pets.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1985 AMENDMENT

Pub. L. 99-198, title XVII, §1759, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1650, provided that: "This subtitle [subtitle F (§§1751-1759), enacting section 2157 of this title, amending sections 2132, 2143 to 2146, and 2149 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section] shall take effect 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 1985]."

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1970 AMENDMENT

Pub. L. 91-579, §23, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1565, provided that: "The amendments made by this Act [enacting section 2155 of this title, amending this section and sections 2132, 2133, 2134, 2135, 2136, 2137, 2138, 2139, 2140, 2141, 2142, 2143, 2144, 2145, 2146, 2147, 2149, and 2150 of this title, repealing section 2148 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section] shall take effect one year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 24, 1970], except for the amendments to sections 16, 17, 19, and 20 of the Act of August 24, 1966 [sections 2146, 2147, 2149, and 2150 of this title], which shall become effective thirty days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 24, 1970]".