A Vision for Care

There is nothing more important to me than that my animals are properly cared for and fed, and I think that I can speak for most people when I say this. All animals deserve to be cared for and live an easy life. Unfortunately, there are numerous animals in the world who are subject to inhumane treatment and improper handling. It is upsetting to see any kind of animal live through this.

Fortunately, there are people out there that are making all the difference.

Alberta Farm Animal Care, simply know as AFAC, is a provincial program that works toward improving animal handling and responsible care for animals in the livestock industry. The association started in 1993 by a group of livestock producers. The goals were to promote humane animal treatment, engage in public discussion, participate in issues, and encourage animal care research. The association realizes the growing concern of animal welfare and is working towards a positive change.

The AFAC has brought foreword

• open communication and discussion with livestock protection agencies
• an animal welfare curriculum with agriculture colleges
• livestock care and handling guidelines, training programs, and reports
• communicating with the public about the care farmers give to their animals by using interactive display, education resources and publications

In it's lifetime, the AFAC has accomplished a great deal of things toward the proper care and handling of animals.

Have a look at the AFAC's timeline-

http://www.afac.ab.ca/about/timeline.pdf

Not only has the AFAC made a positive impact in the Alberta livestock industry, but one woman's vision has changed animal handling forever. Not only has she changed the way we think about proper handling of animals, but she can even understand the stress and feelings of animals. Her name is Temple Grandin, she is a world famous doctor of animal science, professor, author, and consultant to the livestock industry. Temple also is a high-functioning autistic, which made many aspects of her life difficult. However, her autism let her understand the "flight-zone" and stress caused on animals during handling, transport, and processing. In the last number of years, Temple has designed low-stress handling systems for meat plants and farms. Her writings on the flight-zone and other animal behaviour have greatly helped many people on reducing stress while handling their animals. She has made a huge impact on the humane handling at meat processing plants.

She has even developed a scoring system for assessing handling of cattle and pigs at meat plants. Her scoring system is used by many large corporations to improve animal welfare.Temple's work and vision has changed the way we will understand animal handling forever.

Practising responsible animal care is necessary for the long term sustainability of the Canadian livestock industry.
"Animal welfare is a human responsibility that encompasses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, nutrition, disease prevention, responsible care, humane handling, and, where necessary, humane euthanasia."
-Canadian Veterinary Medical Association

Thanks to a number of dedicated individuals who have a vision, the proper handling, care, and treatment for animals will be possible all over the world.