A new animal protection law will take effect in South China’s Guangdong Province on October 1, 2010, to regulate the use of laboratory animals and protect animal welfare. Protecting the welfare of lab animals has become an important criterion for the international community in evaluating scientific research. Under this law, research conducted in violation of the new standards would not be accepted. The standards include requirements to anesthetize animals before conducting surgery and euthanizing them after surgery, monitoring the conditions and care of lab animals, and not abusing them during the production, use and transport process. Provincial science and technology authorities will be required to issue permits to institutions that wish to conduct research on animals. Guangdong joins Heilongjiang, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces, and the municipalities of Beijing and Tianjin in passing animal welfare laws.