7 U.S.C. § 2131: Congressional statement of policy

to insure that animals intended for use in research facilities or for exhibition purposes or for use as pets are provided humane care and treatment; to assure the humane treatment of animals during transportation in commerce; and to protect the owners of animals from the theft of their animals by preventing the sale or use of animals which have been stolen. the use of animals is instrumental in certain research and education for advancing knowledge of cures and treatment for diseases and injuries which afflict both humans and animals; methods of testing that do not use animals are being and continue to be developed which are faster, less expensive, and more accurate than traditional animal experiments for some purposes and further opportunities exist for the development of these methods of testing; measures which eliminate or minimize the unnecessary duplication of experiments on animals can result in more productive use of Federal funds; and measures which help meet the public concern for laboratory animal care and treatment are important in assuring that research will continue to progress.”