Summary
This section of the Health of Animals Regulation is to protect nonhuman animals in transport. The section opens with some definitions (e.g. assembly centre, confine, and humanely kill) and goes on to require training for all persons that will handle, confine, unload, or otherwise transport nonhuman animals. There are also requirements that transporters have contingency plans for unforeseen delays and monitor the condition of animals.
Standards for the treatment of unfit animals (animals that have fractures, are in shock, are extremely thin, etc.) are also put forth; such animals can be transported for veterinary care, if the animal will be humanely killed or if the animal is rendered unconscious prior to transport. Compromised animals may be transported if they are segregated from others, loaded without needing to navigate ramps, and transported summarily. Veterinarians who believe a compromised animal has been transported in an unauthorized fashion may require actions by the handler (e.g., “humane killing” of the animal). The loading and transport of lactating animals is banned unless the animal will be transported with its suckling young or if the animal will be milked at intervals sufficient to prevent mammary engorgement.
The regulation also prohibits rough handling of the animals, proper ventilation, and enough space to stand up with full posture (except for hens, who need only be able to sit with full posture). Overcrowding is prohibited. Standards for containers require (among other things) that they prevent the animal’s escape, can be cleaned, and prevent the animal from falling. Animals are to be given enough water to prevent dehydration and to be fed at a minimum of every 12 hours for compromised animals; 24 hours for broiler hens; 28 hours for laying hens, rabbits, pigs, and horses; and, 36 hours for all other animals. Adequate documentation must be kept and transferred during transport.