IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDS (cont)
A good quality collar or neck chain with a tag is legally acceptable for identification of dogs but they are sometimes removed and misplaced during research procedures. Collars and chains can also catch accidentally on cages and injure the animal. Serious consideration should be given to the tattoo as a primary method of identification.
The USDAÂ requires that research facilities keep records on every dog 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 dogs 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.