US Animal Plant Health Inspctn

For citizens, producers, and animal welfare stakeholders across Missouri, the **US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)** office in St. Louis is a key hub for federal veterinary activities. Located on Woodson Road, this facility plays a crucial role not in providing direct primary care for individual pets, but in administering federal programs that safeguard the welfare of a broad range of animals and protect the health of the nation's livestock and agricultural industry.

As a governmental entity falling under the **United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)**, the core mission of this APHIS branch is focused on animal care, regulatory oversight, and emergency response across the region. Their work is vital to maintaining the standards of humane treatment for animals used in research, exhibition, or commercial sale, as mandated by the federal **Animal Welfare Act (AWA)**. By operating in St. Louis, APHIS provides essential support and regulatory functions that protect Missouri’s significant agricultural sector and promote animal health.

This office serves as a resource for inspections, educational outreach, and coordinating responses to disease outbreaks or natural disasters that threaten animal populations. For Missourians, understanding the role of APHIS is crucial, particularly for those involved in commercial animal activities, livestock production, or local disaster planning. The St. Louis location is part of a national network dedicated to ensuring the health, welfare, and productivity of animals, which directly contributes to the safety of our food supply and the stability of the Missouri economy.

Location and Accessibility

The US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service office is located at **4349 Woodson Rd suite 101, St. Louis, MO 63134, USA**. This address places the facility conveniently within the St. Louis metropolitan area, accessible to government partners, veterinarians, and regulated businesses throughout Eastern Missouri.

While this is a government office and not a traditional consumer veterinary clinic, accessibility is still a priority for visitors conducting official business. The facility offers:

• **Wheelchair accessible parking lot:** This feature ensures that individuals with mobility challenges, including inspectors, accredited veterinarians, and stakeholders visiting the office, have convenient and accessible parking options close to the entrance.

Its strategic location in St. Louis allows for effective communication and rapid deployment of resources across Missouri, particularly for time-sensitive tasks related to **Animal Care** investigations and **Emergency Response** coordination.

Services Offered

The services provided by the APHIS St. Louis office are governmental, regulatory, and technical in nature, focusing on public and animal health, rather than routine pet wellness care. These federal programs are designed to support and regulate Missouri’s commercial and agricultural animal communities.

• **Animal Care and Welfare Oversight:**
• Administering and enforcing the federal **Animal Welfare Act (AWA)** and the Horse Protection Act (HPA).
• Conducting scheduled and unscheduled **Inspections** of facilities—including breeders, dealers, exhibitors (like zoos and circuses), and research institutions—to ensure compliance with humane care standards.
• Investigating reported AWA non-compliance or inhumane treatment cases within Missouri.
• Issuing and managing federal licenses and registrations for businesses and individuals regulated under the AWA.
• **Emergency Response and Preparedness:**
• Providing **Emergency Response** coordination and resources for animals during natural disasters (e.g., floods, tornadoes) in cooperation with state and local agencies in Missouri.
• Developing and implementing plans for prevention and response to foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks, such as African Swine Fever or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, to protect Missouri's livestock industry.
• Supporting the state’s agricultural security and disaster preparedness initiatives.
• **Veterinary Services and Diagnostics (Coordination):**
• Providing information and liaison for the **National Veterinary Accreditation Program**, which trains Missouri veterinarians in regulatory procedures necessary for inter- and international animal movement.
• Coordinating the use of the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and other diagnostic resources during disease surveillance or outbreak investigations.
• Working with Missouri officials to control and eradicate dangerous livestock diseases.

This comprehensive federal veterinary oversight ensures that high standards of animal welfare and health are upheld throughout the state of Missouri.

Features / Highlights

As a governmental entity, the APHIS St. Louis office is distinguished by its unique regulatory and critical response capabilities, which are essential for maintaining the health and welfare infrastructure of Missouri:

• **Federal Authority and Reach:** The office is the local representation of the USDA's primary veterinary authority, providing direct access to federal laws, resources, and expertise, particularly concerning interstate and international animal movement and trade.
• **Dedicated Animal Care Focus:** Its designation as an **Animal Care** office highlights its specialized role in ensuring humane treatment for thousands of regulated animals across the state, actively enforcing the Animal Welfare Act.
• **Crucial Emergency Response Role:** The **Emergency Response** function is a critical highlight, meaning this St. Louis team is directly involved in coordinating the protection and health management of animal populations during state and national crises, a vital safeguard for Missouri's agricultural and companion animal communities.
• **Support for Missouri’s Veterinarians:** The office is integral to supporting Missouri’s private-practice veterinarians by managing the **National Veterinary Accreditation Program**, which empowers local doctors to issue official health certificates and participate in federal disease surveillance programs.
• **Accessibility for Official Business:** The inclusion of a **Wheelchair accessible parking lot** demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that the facility is accessible for all official visitors and staff required to conduct business there.

Contact Information

For Missouri citizens, veterinarians, and regulated businesses needing to contact the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) office in St. Louis for information on federal animal welfare regulations, inspections, or emergency preparedness, use the following contact details:

• **Address:** 4349 Woodson Rd suite 101, St. Louis, MO 63134, USA
• **Phone (Main Line):** (314) 389-8420
• **Mobile Phone (Direct Contact):** +1 314-389-8420

Due to the nature of their governmental work, it is advised to use these contacts for matters specifically related to federal animal welfare regulations, licensing, inspections, animal health emergencies, or disease control protocols.

What is Worth Choosing

While this is not a choice for routine individual pet care, the **US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)** office in St. Louis is the essential choice for anyone in Missouri whose activities are regulated by federal animal welfare laws, or for those concerned with public health and the security of the agricultural industry. What is worth choosing about this office is the **critical public service and regulatory authority** it provides.

Choosing to engage with this office means tapping into the resources and expertise of a dedicated federal agency committed to two primary objectives: first, ensuring the ethical and humane treatment of animals under the **Animal Care** program, and second, providing a structured, immediate, and knowledgeable **Emergency Response** capability to protect animal populations against both natural disasters and disease threats. For Missouri’s livestock producers, exhibitors, and dealers, the office provides the necessary regulatory guidance and compliance monitoring that maintains market access and industry integrity.

This is the definitive local government resource for **federal veterinary services** in the St. Louis region, offering a vital layer of protection for all animals and safeguarding Missouri's economy and food security through proactive oversight and rapid emergency preparedness.

US Animal Plant Health Inspctn

4349 Woodson Rd suite 101, St. Louis, MO 63134, USA