In compliance with USDA regulations, the IACUC must inspect which areas?

The IACUC is required to inspect all areas where animals are housed, particularly focusing on those areas where animals will be housed for more than 12 hours. This requirement stems from the necessity to ensure humane care and treatment in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and USDA regulations.

The rationale behind inspecting these areas is that longer housing periods increase the likelihood of encountering welfare issues or deficiencies in animal care and husbandry practices. By inspecting facilities where animals are kept for an extended duration, the IACUC can assess compliance with welfare standards more effectively, ensuring that the animals receive adequate care, both physically and socially, as well as appropriate housing environments to meet their biological and behavioral needs.

The other options either limit the scope of the inspections unduly or focus on specific scenarios that do not encompass the broader regulatory intent. This regulatory landscape emphasizes comprehensive oversight to promote animal welfare across all circumstances where animals are housed for a significant length of time.