A license shall be issued only upon inspection by the state veterinarian, his designee, or an animal welfare official. A facility subject to the provisions of sections 273.325 to 273.357, at the time it applies for licensure, shall be granted a provisional license which shall allow operation of the facility until the facility is inspected or until December 31, 1994, whichever earlier occurs. The state veterinarian shall have the duty and authority to inspect all facilities licensed under sections 273.325 to 273.357. Inspections shall be conducted a minimum of once a year, or upon a complaint to the department regarding a particular facility. The validity of the complaint will be ascertained by the state veterinarian or his designated representative.
§ 273.331, RSMo