Which of the following is NOT a guarantee set forth by the Animal Welfare Act regarding research animals?

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) establishes various guidelines and guarantees to ensure the humane treatment of research animals. Among these, provisions for food and water, access to veterinary care, and proper housing are explicitly recognized as essential requirements that facilities must adhere to in order to promote the welfare of animals used in research.

Food and water are fundamental needs for all living creatures, and the AWA mandates that research animals must receive adequate nutrition and hydration. Additionally, access to veterinary care is crucial for the management of animals’ health and treatment of any medical issues that may arise. Proper housing is also a vital component, as it ensures that animals are kept in environments that meet their physical and psychological needs, thus reducing stress and promoting wellbeing.

In contrast, while providing entertainment or enrichment in the form of entertainment apparatuses can be beneficial for the mental stimulation and physical health of animals, it is not a mandated requirement under the AWA. The act focuses primarily on the basic welfare needs of the animals rather than specifying detailed provisions for enrichment or entertainment. Therefore, entertainment apparatuses do not fall into the category of guaranteed necessities as established by the Animal Welfare Act.