Final answer:
The Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting and promoting U.S. animal health by regulating veterinary products, while the IACUC ensures compliance with regulations in research facilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The branch of the United States federal government that is responsible for protecting and promoting U.S. animal health is the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). The CVM, a branch of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), regulates food, food additives, and drugs given to animals, including both food animals and pets. The CVM does not oversee animal vaccines, which are under the purview of the United States Department of Agriculture. Instead, their focus is on ensuring the safety and efficacy of veterinary products.
Additionally, there are important regulations that any research facility must follow if they perform animal research and receive federal funding. These facilities are required to have an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which includes a vet and at least one person not affiliated with the institution to ensure compliance with NIH guidelines and to perform inspections.