Can dogs be safely confined by tethering? Tethering is where an animal is fastened by a chain to a central anchor point, causing it to be confined...
How should I house my pet bird? Birds are highly intelligent animals that require regular exercise and mental stimulation. It’s important to ensure these needs will be...
Is it okay to keep my cat at home all of the time? Yes, there are many benefits to keeping your cat safe at home (contained within your property boundaries). Contained cats are...
How should I keep and care for my guinea pigs? Guinea Pigs (also known as cavies) are a species of rodent native to the South American Andes. They are social...
How should I house my pet ferret? Ferrets should normally be confined in a safe, secure area such as a cage when they are not under direct...
Can I tether my pet bird? Tethering is where an animal is fastened by an appropriately attached chain to a centre point or anchorage, causing it...
What size enclosure does my pet bird need? While a cage can provide a safe refuge and home environment for pet birds, most cages are too small to...
How should I house my pet mouse? Mice can be very interactive and sociable animals who readily accept human companionship. Some tips on how best to house...
How should I house my pet rat? Rats are interactive, intelligent and highly sociable animals. We recommend that you house at least two compatible rats together. They can...
Is permanently housing cows an animal welfare issue? There are nearly 1.7 million dairy cows in Australia. On average, each cow produces close to 5,500 litres of milk...
Are stress levels of hens in battery cages the same as those in cage-free systems? Some claim that hens’ stress levels vary little between cage, barn and free-range housing systems and that it is animal...
Can the needs of layer hens be met in furnished cages? Furnished cages were developed to improve the behavioural expression that birds experience in cages. They retain the benefits of battery...
Is group housing preferable to individual housing of dairy calves? Calves born in a natural environment will begin interacting with each other at around 1-2 weeks of age when the...
Can layer hen mortality, pests, parasites, disease and predation be managed in non-cage systems? Mortality The main welfare risks in cage-free systems are the transmission of infectious diseases and severe feather pecking, both of...
Do I need to keep a rooster with my backyard hens? Hens don’t need a rooster in order to lay eggs. Without a rooster, the eggs are infertile, so won’t develop...
What type of house should I build for my backyard hens? Anyone considering keeping hens (or chickens) in their backyard must give them a comfortable, clean and secure house. Your hens’...
What are barn-laid eggs? Barn-laid eggs are a good alternative to cage eggs, and a well-managed barn that provides enrichment for the hen can...
Do I need to provide shade and shelter for my horse? A domestic horse needs access to shade and shelter. A free living (wild or feral horse) can seek these out...
What is virtual fencing (or virtual herding) and does it impact animal welfare? What is virtual fencing? Virtual fencing aims to remotely map and control livestock grazing behaviour without the use of fixed...
What is a mating stall for pigs and is it different to a sow stall? A mating stall is a crate used to hold a female pig for artificial insemination. A mating stall allows the...