APHIS 7085, Guinea Pig and Hamster Breeder/Dealer Pre-License Checklist

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
ANIMAL CARE
Guinea Pig and Hamster 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 complete 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 pre-existing
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

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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;
The name and address of the person to
whom an animal was sold or given;
The date of purchase, acquisition, sale,
or disposal of the animal(s);
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)

§ 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

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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 well-being,
taking into consideration such factors as the animal's
age, species, breed, overall health status, and
acclimation.

§ 3.25 - 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. Opened food is stored in
containers with a tightly fitting lid.
 Refrigeration is provided for supplies of perishable
food.
 There are provisions 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.
§ 3.26 - Facilities, indoor.
 Temperature must not fall below 60 degrees nor
exceed 85 degrees F.
 Provide adequate ventilation to provide for the health
and comfort of the animals at all times.
 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
animals 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.
§ 3.27 - Facilities, outdoor.
 Hamsters shall not be housed in outdoor facilities
 Guinea pigs may only be housed outdoors with prior
approval from the Deputy Administrator.
§ 3.28 - Primary enclosures.
 All primary enclosures for guinea pigs and hamsters
are:

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Structurally sound and maintained in
good repair to protect the animals from
injury.
Have access to clean food and water
Clean bedding for solid flooring
Mesh or wire floors allow feces to pass
through while protecting the feet and
legs from injury

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 3.28 (b)(2)(ii), 3.28
(b)(3)(iii), 3.28 (c)(1)(iii), and 3.28 (c)(2)(iii).
§ 3.29 - Feeding.
 Guinea pigs and hamsters 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
guinea pig or hamster.
 Food may be supplemented with good quality
fruits or vegetables consistent with their
individual dietary requirements.
 Food receptacles, if used, are accessible to all
guinea pigs and hamsters 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.
§ 3.30 - Watering.
 Potable water should be provided daily (except
as might otherwise be required to provide
adequate veterinary care.)
 Water receptacles are sanitized at least once
every 2 weeks.
§ 3.31 - Sanitation.
Cleaning and Sanitization of primary enclosures.
 Primary enclosures shall be cleaned often
enough to prevent an accumulation of excreta or
debris: Provided, however, that such enclosures
shall be sanitized at least once every 2 weeks.
 Prior to the introduction of animals 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.

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o Cleaning all soiled surfaces with live steam.
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.
§ 3.32 - Employees.
 There is a sufficient number of employees/personnel
with the appropriate background to maintain the level
of care and husbandry practices.
§ 3.33 - Classification and separation.
 Animals housed in the same primary enclosure are
maintained in compatible groups.
 Except where harem breeding is being practiced,
pre-weanling guinea pigs shall not be housed in the
same primary enclosure with adults other than their
parents.
 Guinea pigs and hamsters shall not be housed with
each other nor other species.
TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS
 If transporting guinea pigs or hamsters, all applicable
parts of the transportation standards must be met.
Refer to sections 3.35 to 3.41

APHIS Form 7085
OCT 2018

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