APHIS 7080, Rabbit Breeder/Dealer Pre-License Checklist

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
ANIMAL CARE
Rabbit Breeder/Dealer Pre-License Checklist
INTERNAL USE
This checklist is a tool for Inspectors to use to ensure important and relevant topics are discussed with all applicants
during every first pre-license inspection. Ensuring full compliance of the applicant’s facility and paperwork is critical
prior to licensure. The Inspector should be on time for the scheduled inspection, be courteous, carry identification
and business cards, and have all necessary equipment and supplies including gloves, shoe covers, and temperature
measuring equipment to conduct the inspection. Directs can be pointed out to the applicant and recorded as noncompliant items in the report, but not specifically cited as directs. SACS should be notified when direct NCIs are
identified during a pre-license inspection. Photographs should not be taken nor uploaded into ACIS for prelicense
inspections. Team inspections are required for third pre-licenses; one team member should be a VMO or a
Compliance Specialist, if possible. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive.
§ 2.40 - Attending veterinarian and adequate
veterinary care (dealers and exhibitors).
 Formal arrangement with Attending Veterinarian
(AV).
 AV has conducted an on-site visit
 Written program of veterinary care (PVC) signed by
applicant and veterinarian.
 AV has been given appropriate authority to provide
care.
 Program in place to observe animals daily.
 Documentation provided for animals with preexisting conditions
 Veterinary records are current and animals receiving
veterinary care are properly documented
 All medications are properly labeled with drug name
and concentration, dose, frequency, and route of
administration, and are not expired.
 Preventative medication protocols as listed on the
PVC were discussed and compared with what was
onsite
 Any animals exhibiting signs of potential veterinary
medical problems have been evaluated by a
veterinarian and received appropriate care.
 Provisions and description of euthanasia
procedures.
§ 2.75 - Records: Dealers and exhibitors.
For animals other than dogs and cats [2.75 (b)(1) &(2)]
 For animals purchased or otherwise acquired,
owned, held, leased, or otherwise in his or her
possession or under his or her control, or which is
transported, sold, euthanized, or otherwise disposed
of by that dealer or exhibitor. The records shall
include any offspring born of any animal while in his
or her possession or under his or her control.
o The name and address of the person from
whom the animals were purchased or
otherwise acquired;
o USDA license or registration number of the
person if he or she is licensed or registered
under the Act;
o The vehicle license number and State, and
the driver's license number (or photographic
identification card for non-drivers issued by
a State) and State of the person, if he or she
is not licensed or registered under the Act;

APHIS Form 7080
OCT 2018

The name and address of the person to
whom an animal was sold or given;
o The date of purchase, acquisition, sale, or
disposal of the animal(s);
o The species and number of animal(s) in the
shipment.
Check that records are complete. [Discuss forms:
record of Animals on Hand (APHIS Form 7019);
Record of Acquisition, Disposition, or Transport of
Animals (APHIS Form 7020)
o



§ 2.80 - Records, disposition.
 Records are kept for 1 year after an animal is
euthanized or disposed of (if not, discuss this
requirement).
§ 2.126 - Access and inspection of records and
property; submission of itineraries.
 Explain and received business hours
 Explain that by conducting regulated activity and
obtaining a license, the applicant will allow APHIS
Inspectors to enter the place of business during
business hours; examine records; make copies of
records; inspect and photograph the facilities,
property, and animals; document areas of
noncompliance; use a room, table, or facility to
examine records or animals
 Ensure a responsible adult is present and available
to accompany Inspector during entire inspection.
§ 2.131 - Handling of animals. (Discuss these points as
they relate to the particular situation at the facility)
 (b)(1) Handling of all animals shall be done as
expeditiously and carefully as possible in a manner
that does not cause trauma, overheating, excessive
cooling, behavioral stress, physical harm, or
unnecessary discomfort.
 (e) When climatic conditions present a threat to an
animal's health or well-being, appropriate measures
must be taken to alleviate the impact of those
conditions. An animal may never be subjected to
any combination of temperature, humidity, and time
that is detrimental to the animal's health or wellbeing, taking into consideration such factors as the
animal's age, species, breed, overall health status,
and acclimation.

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§ 3.50 - Facilities, general.
 Facilities are structurally sound and maintained in
good repair. They protect the animals from injury,
contain the animals, and restrict the entrance of
other animals.
 There is reliable and adequate electric power.
 Adequate potable (drinkable) water is available.
 Supplies of food and bedding are stored in facilities
which adequately protect them against infestation or
contamination by vermin.
 Refrigeration is provided for supplies of perishable
food.
 There are provision for the removal and disposal of
animal and food wastes, bedding, dead animals, and
debris.
 Disposal facilities and processes are operated as to
minimize vermin infestation, odors, and disease
hazards.
 There are washrooms, basins, or sinks available to
maintain cleanliness among animal caretakers.
§ 3.51 - Facilities, indoor.
 Heating. (Indoor housing facilities for rabbits need
not be heated.)
 Indoor housing facilities have adequate ventilation to
provide for the health and comfort of the animals at
all times.
 Additional ventilation, such as exhaust fans and
vents or air conditioning are provided when the
ambient temperature is 85 °F or higher.
 Indoor housing facilities have ample light, by natural
or artificial means, or both, of good quality and well
distributed.
 The lighting is uniformly distributed and of sufficient
intensity to permit routine inspection and cleaning.
 Primary enclosures are placed so as to protect the
rabbits from excessive illumination.
 The interior building surfaces of indoor housing
facilities are constructed and maintained so that they
are substantially impervious to moisture and may be
readily sanitized.
§ 3.52 - Facilities, outdoor.
 Shelter from sunlight. When sunlight is likely to
cause overheating or discomfort, sufficient shade is
provided to allow all rabbits kept outdoors to protect
themselves from the direct rays of the sun.
 When the atmospheric temperature exceeds 90 °F
artificial cooling is provided by a sprinkler system or
other means.
 Shelter from rain or snow. Rabbits kept outdoors are
provided with access to shelter to allow them to
remain dry during rain or snow.
 Shelter from cold weather. Shelter is provided for all
rabbits kept outdoors when the atmospheric
temperature falls below 40 °F.
 Protection from predators. Outdoor housing facilities
for rabbits are fenced or otherwise enclosed to
minimize the entrance of predators.
 Drainage. A suitable method is provided to rapidly
eliminate excess water.

APHIS Form 7080
OCT 2018

§ 3.53 - Primary enclosures.
 All primary enclosures for rabbits are:
o Structurally sound and maintained in good
repair to protect the rabbits from injury, to
contain them, and to keep predators out.
o Constructed and maintained so as to enable
the rabbits to remain dry and clean.
o Constructed and maintained so that the
rabbits contained therein have convenient
access to clean food and water as required
in this subpart.
o Have floors that are constructed so as to
protect the rabbits' feet and legs from injury.
o Litter shall be provided in all primary
enclosures having solid floors.
 A suitable nest box containing clean nesting material
is provided in each primary enclosure housing a
female with a litter less than one month of age.
Space requirements for primary enclosures
 Primary enclosures are constructed and maintained
so as to provide sufficient space for the animal to
make normal postural adjustments with adequate
freedom of movement.
 See charts listed under 3.53 (b) and 3.53 (c)(2).
§ 3.54 - Feeding.
 Rabbits are fed at least once each day.
 The food is free from contamination, wholesome,
palatable and of sufficient quantity and nutritive
value to meet the normal daily requirements for the
condition and size of the rabbit.
 Food receptacles are accessible to all rabbits in a
primary enclosure and are located so as to minimize
contamination by excreta.
 All food receptacles are kept clean and sanitized at
least once every 2 weeks.
 If self-feeders are used, they are measures taken to
prevent molding, deterioration or caking of the feed.
§ 3.55 - Watering.
 Sufficient potable water is provided daily. All
watering receptacles are sanitized when dirty.
 Water receptacles are sanitized at least once
every 2 weeks.
§ 3.56 - Sanitation.
Cleaning of primary enclosures.
 Primary enclosures are kept reasonably free of
excreta, hair, cobwebs and other debris by periodic
cleaning.
 Measures are taken to prevent the wetting of rabbits
in such enclosures if a washing process is used.
 In enclosures equipped with solid floors, soiled litter
is removed and replaced with clean litter at least
once each week.
 In enclosures with wire or mesh floors have, the
troughs or pans under such enclosures cleaned
at least once each week.
 If worm bins are used under such enclosures they
shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.

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Sanitization of primary enclosures.
 Primary enclosures for rabbits are sanitized at least
once every 30 days (using an approved method).
 Prior to the introduction of rabbits into empty primary
enclosures previously occupied, such enclosures
are sanitized.
 The sanitizing method is one of the following:
o Washing with hot water (180 °F.) and soap
or detergent as in a mechanical cage
washer.
o Washing all soiled surfaces with a detergent
solution followed by a safe and effective
disinfectant.
o Cleaning all soiled surfaces with live steam
or flame.
Housekeeping.
 Premises (buildings and grounds) are kept clean
and in good repair in order to protect the animals
from injury and to facilitate the prescribed husbandry
practices set forth in this subpart.
 Premises are free of accumulations of trash.
Pest control.
 An effective program for the control of insects,
ectoparasites, and avian and mammalian pests shall
be established and maintained.
§ 3.57 - Employees.
 There is a sufficient number of employees/personnel
with the appropriate background to maintain the
level of care and husbandry practices.
§ 3.58 - Classification and separation.
 Animals housed in the same primary enclosure are
maintained in compatible groups.
 Rabbits are not housed in the same primary
enclosure with any other species.
 Rabbits under quarantine or treatment for a
communicable disease are separated from other
rabbits and other susceptible species of animals in
such a manner as to minimize dissemination of such
disease.
TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS
 If transporting rabbits, all applicable parts of the
transportation standards must be met. Refer to
sections 3.60 to 3.66.

APHIS Form 7080
OCT 2018

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