IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDS (cont)
A good quality collar or neck chain with a tag is legally acceptable for identification of cats but they are sometimes removed and misplaced during research procedures. Collars and chains can also catch accidentally on cages and injure the animal. Loose collars on cats can be manipulated over the mandible causing injury to the mouth. Serious consideration should be given to the tattoo as a primary method of identification.
The USDAÂ requires that research facilities keep records on every cat including information on the animal source, a complete description, the USDA tag number, and any newly assigned identification number. The institution must also have records on disposition of live cats with data on the receiver, the date of transfer and the method of transportation. USDA forms can be used for these records and complete details of the requirements are given in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9, Animal Welfare Act.