When must inspections for animal shipments be completed?

Inspections for animal shipments must be completed exactly 24 hours before the shipment to ensure that the animals meet health and safety standards required for international transport. This timing is crucial as it allows for any potential issues to be identified and addressed before the shipment leaves. It also aligns with the regulations established by various agricultural and veterinary authorities aimed at preventing the spread of disease and ensuring the welfare of the animals during transportation.

The requirement for an inspection to be done at this specific time frame helps in maintaining a high level of compliance with international regulations and standards, which are often stringent due to concerns regarding animal health and safety. This timing ensures that the animals are healthy and fit for travel, minimizing the risk of complications during transit.

Other options provide alternative time frames that do not align with the standard practices established for the inspection of animal shipments. Having inspections done up to 48 hours prior could potentially result in changes in the animals' health that would be undetected if the inspection was performed too early. Similarly, having an inspection done within 12 hours or with no time constraint does not provide sufficient certainty about the animals' condition at the time of departure. Therefore, the specific requirement of completing inspections 24 hours prior is critical for effective compliance and animal welfare.