As required by their enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), veterinary medical officers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regularly conduct routine inspections of facilities that house animals for research. For two days in March and April 2015, the USDA conducted a routine review of animals and their facilities at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Graduate School and School of Medicine and Public Health — each host to a broad range of research and training projects that involve animals covered by the AWA. The programs include many laboratories and animal housing facilities, as well as many scientists, animal care, veterinary and research staff.
After reviewing all of each college or school’s facilities and records, the USDA inspectors found them to be in compliance with the AWA.