National Animal Identification System (NAIS)

When an animal disease event (such as the avian flu or mad cow disease) occurs, producers and animal health officials must be able to prevent the disease from spreading, protect animals against infection, and preserve the producers' business and economic interests. The National Animal Identification System (NAIS), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), helps accomplish these goals. Producers who choose to participate in NAIS become part of a national animal disease response network that ensures timely information and assistance to protect their animals. NAIS will also assist first responders and state and federal officials in conducting disease investigations. Moreover, in a disease situation, local and state officials can use NAIS information to quickly define which regions of the U.S. are affected by the outbreak. This keeps markets open for unaffected producers and prevents unnecessary movement restrictions. 

There are three components to the NAIS program; each is voluntary at the federal level:

• Premises Registration - A premises includes any location where livestock and/or poultry are raised, held or boarded.
  • Producers provide basic contact information for their premises and obtain a unique number for that location.
  • Producers can register by contacting their state or tribal NAIS Administrator.
  • USDA maintains only limited premises registration information and will protect individuals' private information from disclosure.
• Animal Identification - Provides producers with a uniform numbering system for identifying their animals and a way of linking those animals to their birthplace or premises of origin.
  • The individual animal identification number (AIN) is unique and stays with the animal for its lifetime. When combined with animal tracing, the AIN links the animal to each premises/location that has been reported for it.
  • Group/lot identification is best suited for animals that "stay together," are raised as one group, and travel through the production chain that way.
• Animal Tracing - Animal Tracking Databases (ATDs) are maintained by states and the private sector, and allow producers to report the movements of their animals. 
  • When there is a disease outbreak or other animal health event, the ATDs provide records that show where animals have been and what other animals have come into contact with them.
  • USDA will not have direct access to animal movement records.

Please note: Signing up for premises registration does not automatically enroll you in animal identification or animal tracing.

Federal officials aim to register cattle, bison, poultry, swine, sheep, goats, deer, elk, horses, mules, donkeys, burros, llamas and alpacas. Household pets are not included.

NAIS is a national program implemented primarily at the state and tribal level. For information on what is happening in your local area, please visit the State and Tribal Field Trial Projects web page.

Finally, you may also wish to view information on preparing livestock for natural disasters.