The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) unveiled a refined public search tool that provides access to Animal Welfare Act compliance records.

The search tool allows APHIS to make animal welfare information available publicly and ensure compliance.

APHIS formally initiated a comprehensive review and update of Animal Care Information System (ACIS) website, publications and correspondence to eliminate out of date content, improve the information provided and balance its commitment to transparency with applicable laws, including rules protecting personal privacy.

The ACIS search tool was taken off-line for review Feb. 3, 2017. During the review, APHIS reposted annual reports of animal research facilities as well as many inspection reports. The reports were posted on a rolling basis in February, March, April and June 2017. As part of its comprehensive website review, APHIS is continuing to review animal inventories that accompany inspection reports for accuracy. The newly posted inspection reports do not include animal inventories, but APHIS intends to make this information available in the future.

APHIS is offering the ACIS search tool to the public to provide information on APHIS’ performance of its statutory duties under the Animal Welfare Act, in accordance with privacy laws.

The public may also request additional Animal Welfare Act records from APHIS through the Freedom of Information Act.