When are unweaned puppies or kittens required to be identified individually?

The requirement for identifying unweaned puppies or kittens individually is dependent on their status in relation to their dam. When puppies or kittens are still with their dam, they typically do not require individual identification because they are considered part of a unit. The rationale behind this regulation is centered on the idea that the dam can be identified, and this suffices for the identification of her offspring at that stage, as they are not yet independent.

Individual identification becomes necessary when unweaned animals are separated from their dam or when the dam is not identified, thus ensuring that each unweaned animal can be accounted for in terms of health, care, and tracking. Therefore, stating that unweaned puppies or kittens do not need individual identification when they are with their dam correctly aligns with the regulations outlined in the Animal Welfare Act.