Under the Animal Welfare Act, which of the following practices is prohibited?

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is designed to ensure the humane treatment of animals and sets forth specific provisions to prevent cruelty, neglect, and inhumane treatment of animals. Therefore, practices that inflict unnecessary pain, suffering, or distress on animals are explicitly prohibited under this law. This includes a variety of acts that can harm an animal's well-being, making the protection against animal cruelty a fundamental aspect of the AWA's purpose.

On the other hand, providing routine veterinary care, vaccination against diseases, and feeding animals high-quality food are practices that are encouraged to promote the health and well-being of animals. These actions are integral to responsible animal husbandry and do not violate the principles outlined in the AWA. Thus, option A appropriately identifies a practice that is prohibited under the Animal Welfare Act, aligning with the Act's goal of protecting animals from harm and ensuring their humane treatment.