Every day, tens of thousands of pigs, cattle, sheep, goats and horses are loaded onto trailers and transported between or within states, sometimes just down the road. Some animals are loaded onto trucks, ships or airplanes and transported internationally. The travel distance, species, and reasons for travel are multiple and varied. Likewise, the animal movement forms that accompany livestock will vary. The commonality is that the animals loaded for transport should be assessed and determined to be fit to travel.

There are a number of physical or disease conditions that prevent an animal from being humanely transported to its proposed destination. It is important to understand that the animal's physical condition may limit its possible destinations but does not always preclude all travel. For example, a cow that suffers from a displaced abomasum should not be sent to an auction; however, that animal may travel to slaughter if she remains ambulatory. The appropriate travel options will be stated with each physical condition presented later in this module.

Image Description