Hens are smart, quirky and inquisitive creatures. Descended from jungle fowl, they still possess instincts strongly aligned with seeking shelter in vegetation and roosting up high at night to keep away from predators. A hen’s natural lifespan can be up to 10 years, however in commercial egg production a hen…
Vaccinations are an important part of caring for your cat. Vaccines provide protection from some diseases such as enteritis (feline panleukopaenia) and cat flu (feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus). Cats who are vaccinated will either show no signs of illness or are less likely to become seriously ill from specific…
Although all rodeo events pose significant risks, calf roping (also known as rope-and-tie) raises particularly serious concerns. Calf roping involves releasing the young animal ahead of the competitor/roper who is on horseback. The rider will chase and lasso the calf by throwing a rope over the calf’s neck. The contestant…
During a natural disaster such as a bushfire, extreme weather (storms, floods, heatwaves) or earthquake, it may be necessary to evacuate from your home. It is important to have an emergency plan in place which includes your animals. What should I do to prepare for an emergency? Sign up for…
All fresh pork products sold in Australia are from pigs raised in Australia, whereas imported pork products are either ‘small goods’ such as processed pork (ham, bacon or salami) or pre-cooked pork (pulled pork). This is because Australia has conditions in place that require imported pork to be cooked for…
In indoor intensive systems, pregnant gilts/sows (female pigs) are moved to a farrowing crate, also known as a piglet protection pen, approximately a week before farrowing (giving birth) [1]. Farrowing crates confine sows so that they are unable to turn around. Some indoor systems may have farrowing pens which can…
Under normal circumstances, it is not recommended to feed wildlife as this can make them sick, get them too used to humans and change their natural behaviours. However, the recent bushfires and droughts have created unprecedented conditions for wildlife which have threatened and continue to threaten the survival and welfare…
There are many overseas animal encounters promoted as ‘must do’ or ‘must see’ for tourists, such as circuses, elephant riding, bull fights, petting and taking selfies with tigers, dancing bears, and other animals; but at what cost is this to the animals? These experiences pose significant animal welfare risks and…
Just like humans, dogs and cats may require a blood transfusion in situations such as: Serious trauma causing blood loss Blood loss during surgery Cancer Clotting and bleeding disorders Toxins that cause bleeding, such as rat bait and some snake bite toxins Pets can help save the lives of other…
It is best to avoid hugging your dog or cat because, although a tight hug is often a sign of affection between people, it can feel threatening to a dog or a cat. To survive in the wild, dogs and cats had to be able to use their bodies freely…