Visits and Inspections

(A) The Commissioner or an agent designated by him may, in connection with the granting, continuance, or renewal of a license, visit and inspect the animal research and care facilities of a licensee or research institution which has applied for a license. The inspections shall be carried out during ordinary business hours unless the Commissioner determines that an investigation outside of ordinary business hours is necessary. The inspections may be held without prior notice, and each facility shall be inspected at least four times a year; provided, however, that inspections shall not take place at times which will endanger the health, safety, or welfare of animals or human beings. (B) For the purpose of visits and inspections of licensees and of applicants for licenses, the Commissioner may designate the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and/or the Animal Rescue League of Boston as agents. (C) The Commissioner or agents designated by him shall have the right to inspect the facilities, records, practices or activities relating to animal care, handling, and veterinary treatment of research institutions which are licensed or which have applied for a license pursuant to 105 CMR 910.000. (D) At the time of an inspection, the use of a room, table or other facilities necessary for the proper examination of such records and inspection of such property or animals shallbe made available to the Commissioner or his/her authorized representative by the research institution. (E) At the request ofthe Commissioner or agent designated by him/ her, the institution shall disclose the location of animals owned, held, or otherwise in its possession, and location of facilities and/or laboratories where animals are being used in research, testing or experimentation, or otherwise held. (F) Eachinspector of the designated agencies shall be required to complete satisfactorilya course of training approved by the Commissioner before being authorized to conduct inspections. Upon satisfactory completion of such training and qualification in all other respects for appointment as an inspector, an individual identification badge or card shall be issued to the inspector. Such badge or card shall be presented at the time of any inspection or visit to a research institution under the authority of 105 CMR 910.000. (G) At the conclusion of an inspection, the inspector shall meet with the veterinarian in charge of the animal research and care facility which has been inspected, or his or her designee, and shall conduct an informal exit interview for the purpose of informing the veterinarian, or designee, of the findings or observations by the inspector which may appear to constitute deficiencies in compliance with any regulation in this chapter. During the exit interview, the veterinarian, or designee, shall be offered an opportunity to discuss such findings or observations with the inspector and shall be invited to furnish additional information to the inspector which mayclarifythe circumstances relating to such findings or observations.