What change was made to the Animal Welfare Act by the 1990 pet protection amendment?

The amendment to the Animal Welfare Act in 1990 introduced specific provisions regarding the acquisition of cats and dogs by dealers. A key aspect of this amendment was the implementation of a mandatory holding period of at least five days for cats and dogs that were acquired from pounds or shelters. This requirement was intended to provide an opportunity for the original owners to reclaim their pets before they could be sold to research facilities or resold to the public.

This holding period is significant because it emphasizes the importance of animal welfare and the responsibility of ensuring that pets are not prematurely removed from their rightful homes. By mandating this waiting period, the law aimed to safeguard against the unnecessary loss of pets and to promote ethical practices in how animals are treated in the context of research and commercial transactions.