Lecture 8 - Alberta Farm Animal Care Flashcards
What does AFAC do
Industry works together to promote responsible animal welfare
Primary business = animal care/welfare
Resource, programs, training, research
Care vs welfare?
Care=actions we perform
Welfare=how animal copes with care
What are the regulations for animal welfare?
Federal (rarely) and provincial regulations
Municipal/county bylaws
When is an animal in distress
Deprived of 5 freedoms: shelter, ventilation, food, space, water, vet care
Injured, sick, in pain
Abused, privation
What is privation
Forced to fight
What are requirements vs recommendations
Both in codes of practice
Requirement: industry-imposed expectations, loss of market opportunity if not followed
Recommendations: encourages improvement, complement requirement, enhance welfare
Is two stage weaning required?
No, but it is recommended because it decreases amount of stress (gradual)
What are on-farm emergencies examples
Natural disasters, diseases (human/animal), terrorism, trespassing
Who does the AB livestock emergency support team consist of
SPCA, RCMP, fire department, agriculture fieldmen, fish and wildlife, ALERT line, livestock emergency equipment handling trailers
When to call ALERT line?
Livestock neglect or emergency, questions about care
What is the role of information calls?
After assessing if there is a concern, then deciding there is not = info call. Educate caller on practices, laws, etc
How does AFAC go about handling cases
Welfare concern assessed by (vary based on concern):
- getting info from caller
- drive-by
- contact producer
- contact ag fieldman
- farm visit
What happens if the farmer denies access to AFAC, or the issue is serious
Alberta SPCA intervenes
How does AFAC fix poor management that is not serious
Discuss issue, arrive at solution, set timeline
Situation monitored
What is the purpose of the livestock emergency handling equipment trailers?
Liner rollover, barn collapse/fire, livestock at large, animals stuck in ice/mud
