Animal Rights and Well-Being

Our Animal Well-Being Guidelines require:

• Giving preference to purchasing animals that are already acclimated to the local area
• Providing full training to farmers before they receive any livestock
• Using appropriate shelter and separate pens for animals of different species
• Teaching zero-grazing techniques, which enhance animal health and ensure that adequate food and water are provided
• Emphasizing nutrition, including clean water at least twice a day
• Providing all initial vaccinations
  
  Each farmer completes training on these guidelines. These are essential ingredients in successful livestock management and must be understood so that the livestock remain healthy, as they are a vital part of the farm activities. We also use a community-based animal health care concept to identify locally occurring diseases and provide advanced preventive measures and locally appropriate treatment by members of the community.
  
  All of the people we serve agree to Pass on the Gift so the whole community contributes to the well-being of these life-changing creatures. Communities treat the animals as "living savings accounts" and utilize as many of their byproducts as possible- milk products and eggs are sold for profit and manure is used as fertilizer and to power biogas stoves, for example. For all of these reasons- and many more- the health of the animals is critical to the health of the communities that care for them.
  
  For more information on our Animal Wellbeing Standards and Guidelines please visit: https://www.heifer.org/support/FAQ/faq-about-heifer-animals.html