Animal Identification Program

Updated 6/19/2008

National Animal Identification System (NAIS)
For more information, e-mail or call (360) 725-5493

Red Angus with White Charolais cows

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is a voluntary, national program in collaboration with federal and state departments of agriculture, tribes and the agriculture industry. NAIS is used to locate exposed or infected animals during an animal health emergency.

NAIS consists of three components:

1) Premises Registration

2) Animal Identification

3) Animal Tracing

Premises Registration

A Premises is:

· A physical location where livestock are raised, held or boarded (ie. ranches, farms, feedlots, renderers, markets, ports of entry, veterinary clinics/laboratories, etc…).

· WSDA recommends that producers with bovine (cattle & bison), equine (horses, mules & donkeys), swine, goats, sheep, poultry and camelids (llamas & alpacas) register their premises.

Premises Registration:

· Is when producers voluntarily provide WSDA with their contact information.

· Registered premises receive a Premises Identification Number (PIN).

Premises Identification Number (PIN):

· Is a unique seven digit alpha-numeric identifier that is assigned to registered premises.

· A PIN is needed when purchasing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) official NAIS animal identification devices.

Information Needed for Premises Registration:

· Business name

· Name or description of the premises

· Address or legal description of the premises

· Contact information (name and phone number) in case of an emergency

· Type of operation (i.e. production unit, slaughter, clinic, etc.)

· Species of animals on the premises

Information Storage:

· Premises registration information is housed in two databases. Premises information is stored in the Standardized Premises Registration System (SPRS) which is located on a federal server and is also stored in a Washington State database.

Confidentiality:

· All information submitted by an individual or a business for the purpose of participating in a state or national identification system is exempt from public disclosure under RCW 42.56.380(9).

To Register Your Premises:

· Online or download the application (Word) or (PDF).

Please send completed applications to:

WSDA
Animal ID Program

PO Box 42560

Olympia, WA 98504

e-mail the application to:
wsais@agr.wa.gov

Updating Premises Registration Information:

· Submit a completed application to WSDA, update your information online or call (360)725-5493.

For more information on premises registration

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Animal Identification

Animal Identification:

· Animals can be identified as individuals or groups.

Individual Identification:

· Individually identified livestock receive an Animal Identification Number (AIN). AIN is a unique 15 digit number; the first three numbers indicate the country of origin (840 for USA). AIN stays with the animal for life.

Group/Lot Identification:

· Animals that are typically handled as a group through the production chain (i.e. chickens, swine and branded cattle) receive a Group Identification Number (GIN), which is a combination of premises number and the date the group was formed.

Animal Identification Devices:

· Producers have flexibility when using identification devices, as long as the data is consistent with the national standards. Currently, there are five animal identification manufactures whose devices have been approved by USDA as official NAIS animal identification devices.

· National species working groups have also recommended the best way to identify particular species.

For more information on animal identification

For more information on species work groups

Purchasing Animal Identification Devices:

· Interested producers should visit the USDA website. In order to purchase USDA official NAIS animal identification devices producers must have a NAIS PIN.

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Animal Tracing

Animal Tracing:

· Animal tracing is available through several Animal Tracking Database (ATDs) maintained by States and private industry. This voluntary component of NAIS still requires additional development. However, producers still have access to several ATDs for reporting their high risk animal movements.

For more information on animal tracing