How Are Primates Cared For Within Laboratories?
Are laboratories following laws regarding proper care of primates? This is a difficult question to answer. Many of the regulations regarding the care of animals are common to all species of animals. In other words, for the most part the regulations are the same whether we are speaking of primates or rabbits. The regulations which were derived from the Animal Welfare Act cover veterinary care, feeding, pain relief in surgery, etc. But very often the same regulation is used for all species. Therefore it is difficult to ascertain which violations pertain to primates. USDA/APHIS information regarding violations of the AWA is available on the USDA website at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/violationssumwopara.pdf and http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/FY2002_3_81_violation_sum.PDF Examination of the violations listed at this location shows that approximately 1 out of every 4 labs has a violation regarding animal care, and approximately 1 out of every 2 labs has a violation regarding the Institutiona
