Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 105 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH › Title 105 CMR 910.000 - Licensure Of Research Institutions Using Dogs Or Cats In Research And Education › Licensure and Enforcement › Section 910.024 - Visits and Inspections

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(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 shall be made available to
				the Commissioner or his/her authorized representative by the research
				institution.
(E) At the request of
				the 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) Each inspector of the designated agencies
				shall be required to complete satisfactorily a 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 may clarify the circumstances relating to such findings or
				observations.