Animal Care Tech Note

Attempted Inspections

An attempted inspection occurs when a U.S. Department of 

Agriculture (USDA) Animal Care inspector tries to inspect 

a facility that is licensed or registered under the Animal 

Welfare Act, but no one is available. When that happens, 

the inspector issues an attempted inspection report. 

Because routine inspections of USDA licensed and 

registered facilities are unannounced, we understand 

facilities might not always be available. But there are ways 

to potentially avoid an attempted inspection. Follow the tips 

below to make sure you don’t miss an inspection.

Tell Us How to Reach You 

 Provide your inspector with relevant contact

information, including your email address and cell

and work phone numbers.

 When an inspector arrives at your facility, they will

attempt to contact you using all the numbers and

methods you provide. They will leave messages that

they are at the facility for an inspection.

 Return their call as soon as possible and let them

know whether you can make it back to the facility. The

inspector can wait up to 60 minutes for you to arrive

for the inspection. Or you can let them know you’re

not available so they can return another time.

 If the inspector doesn’t hear from you after 30

minutes, they will leave the facility. They will send you

an attempted inspection report by email or certified

mail. They also may leave a note asking

you to call when you return.

 If you don’t have a phone, let us know how else to

reach you. For example, we can check at a workshop

or barn nearby, or contact another person who may

know how to reach you. We will not enter a private

facility without a responsible adult.

Tell Us When You’re Typically 

Available

 Give us optimal hours* when you or your

representative(s) are typically available. We’ll try

to conduct inspections during those times.

 Optimal hours must still allow inspectors flexibility

to conduct an unannounced inspection.

 They must include a choice of at least 3 days with

4-hour blocks of time between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00

p.m. Monday through Friday (for example: Monday or

Tuesday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and Thursday 3:00-

7:00 p.m.). Other combinations of time and/or days

available may also work, such as 2 full days.

 Optimal hours must also allow adequate daylight,

especially in winter, to complete a full inspection.

 If an inspector tries but fails to reach you outside of

your optimal times, they will not issue an attempted

inspection report. However, you may not refuse an

inspection outside your optimal hours if you’re present

and available.

*Optimal hours do not apply to facilities open to the public.
Designate One or More Facility 

Representatives

 Your representatives must be responsible adults who 

you trust to start or complete the inspection without you. 

They can be coworkers, family members, neighbors, 

friends, or other trusted individuals over the age of 18.

 Make sure you provide their name(s) and contact

information to your inspector. 

 Facility representatives must be able to complete a 

full inspection including providing required records, 

so make sure they know where they are and how to 

access them. 

 If your facility representative does not know the answers

to our questions, we can set up a time within 2 days 

to meet and/or speak with you before completing the 

inspection report. 

Communicate Often with Your 

Inspector

 Tell your inspector when your or your facility 

representative’s contact information or availability 

change temporarily (due to an appointment, event, 

or vacation). 

 The inspector can’t tell you when they’re planning to 

inspect, but they can try to adjust their plans if you 

reach out with your schedule.

After an Attempted Inspection Report

If you do get an attempted inspection report, your inspector 

will set up a time to go over these options with you by 

phone. They may also offer you a courtesy visit to discuss 

your availability. During a courtesy visit, the inspector will 

go through your facility with you but will not issue an 

inspection report. This gives you a chance to ask questions 

about the inspection process as it relates to your facility. If 

we make several attempts to inspect your facility without 

success, you may be subject to enforcement action up to 

and including losing your license.

More Information 

If you have questions, contact us:

USDA APHIS Animal Care

2150 Centre Avenue, Building B, Mailstop #3W11

Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117

(970) 494-7478

animalcare@usda.gov

To update your contact information, facility representatives, 

or optimal hours, please contact your USDA inspector or 

our office at 970-494-7478. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-welfare APHIS-22-057 ▪ Issued April 2023