The Animal Welfare Act, passed in 1970, is a federal law in the United States providing basic provisions for the handling, treatment, and transportation of some animals in certain situations: laboratory animals, zoos, circuses, puppy mills, animal transporters, and animal exhibitors. It does not include cold-blooded animals, animals bred for human consumption, or horses.

In 2002, Senator Jesse Helms introduced an amendment to the Farm Bill , excluding consideration of birds and mice from the Animal Welfare Act.