Fitness to travel

Animals must be fit for their intended journey. Always give the animals the benefit of the doubt.

Signs of health  

• Head up, clean eyes, moist nose and alert.
• Normal movement, no signs of discomfort or lameness.
• Normal breathing, no coughs or wheezing.
• No groans, grinding of teeth or arching of back.
• Dry, clean coat with sheen, and pink healthy skin.
• No signs of heat or cold stress.
• Eating and drinking normally.
• Urine pale and straw coloured.
• Solid faeces, no diarrhoea or signs of constipation.

Normal pulse rates 

Also check livestock for fitness during the journey, e.g. when you stop for fuel or food. When you check the load, look for anything different. Ask yourself:

• How different is it?
• Is it relevant to the animals’ welfare?

When an animal becomes unfit during the journey, think about what you need to do:

• Should the animal be separated from others?
• Do you need to give the animal first aid?
• Do you need veterinary help?
• Can you complete your journey?

Casualty animals

The key issue when deciding if a casualty animal can be sent to the slaughterhouse or treatment centre is whether the animal can be transported without being subject to avoidable pain or distress. A number of points must be considered:

• Can the animal be loaded without using force and without causing additional suffering?
• Can the animal comfortably bear weight on all four legs and, if it is likely to stand during the journey, can it do so without pain or distress?
• What is the duration of the journey?
• What is the nature of the road over which the animal will be transported?
• Is the animal’s condition going to deteriorate significantly over the time it takes to reach the slaughterhouse or treatment centre?
• Is there a slaughterhouse or treatment centre near enough which will accept the animal? It must be sent to the nearest available place of slaughter or treatment.
• Can the animal be looked after satisfactorily during the journey?
• Can suitable padding or bedding be provided?

If any of these questions, or other considerations, raise doubts about whether animals can be transported without avoidable suffering, the they should be treated or slaughtered on the farm.

Key points: Know the signs of health and disease. Remember animals must be fit for the intended journey. Always give the animals the benefit of the doubt.