Make shade shelter Mandatory for all Farm Animals living outdoors-Media release inside
Make shade shelter Mandatory for all Farm Animals living outdoors-Media release inside
The issue
Each year thousands of outdoor farm animals suffer terribly from heat pain due to having no access to shade or shelter in paddocks, sale yards, holding pens and feedlots throughout Australia and other countries. The sheep in the photo seek shade from a fencepost from the blazing sun in Australia.
A former RSPCA president, ex-Citibank Vice President Order of Australia recipient, and Australian veterinarian and professor are all supporting animal advocates in our campaign to mandate shade and shelter for thousands of farm animals in Queensland and ultimately throughout Australia and the world.
‘Animals Need Shade’ have lodged a petition in the Queensland Parliament, which has finished. QLD residents are waiting for an answer whether Mark Furner will adopt mandatory laws to give farm animals the right to shade shelter. Please follow Animals Need Shade Facebook page to keep up to date with what is happening. We are calling on owners of farm animals to take responsibility and the government to fulfil their role in representing the the Australian people to provider laws that prevent unnecessary suffering. Please sign the CHANGE ORG petition
MEDIA RELEASE
ABC RADIO INTERVIEW with Morika E - please refer to website
Queenslanders urge government to enforce mandatory shade and shelter for farm animals. Animal advocates lodged a petition in the Queensland Parliament (just finished), urging a change in the law to protect farm animals suffering heat pain, as temperatures in the state rise and heatwaves become commonplace and are waiting for an answer.
Australia is definitely a sunburnt country. Record summer temperatures have made headlines around the world. While the heat may be good news for some in our beach-loving country, it has devastating consequences for millions of farmed animals routinely kept outdoors in paddocks, saleyards, holding pens and feedlots with little to no shade. Queenslanders fear lack of no shade/shelter for farm animals is an animal welfare crisis.
Animals Need Shade is leading the charge in calling for mandatory legislation to force owners of farm animals across Australia and other countries to provide adequate shelter for cows, sheep, horses and other farm animals.
Animals Need Shade recently filed a petition on the Queensland Parliament’s website urging the government to insert mandatory requirements into the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 for adequate shelter for livestock kept outdoors, including a definition of ‘adequate shelter’, and to introduce penalties for owners and carers who fail to provide adequate shelter for their outdoor farm animals.
Animals Need Shade have the support of leading animal advocates, including animal advocate Philip Wollen, OAM, veterinarian and professor Andrew Knight, and former Rockhampton RSPCA president Elizabeth Shanahan.
“I remember how hot it was last summer in Canungra, Beaudesert and Boonah and how I couldn’t stand in the sun for more than five minutes without feeling the brunt of this shocking heat,” says Morika, who lives in the Scenic Rim. “The sight of Farm Animals exposed and suffering from the extreme heat of the sun without shade or shelter is unfortunately common throughout Queensland."
Animals need shade advocates are concerned about all Farm animals and claims that cows suffer, even more in the heat than humans, especially without shade. Dairy NZ notes that Fresian cows (approximately 83% of dairy cows in Australia are Fresian) begin to experience the effects of heat pain when the temperature reaches 68℉ (21℃) at 75% relative humidity. The average annual temperature in many parts of Queensland is 29°C. In 2017 even southern regions such as Gatton recorded 141 days where temperatures reached over 30°C.
Despite the Queensland government’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) acknowledging the impact of heat stress on farm animals and recommending shelter and shade, it is not mandatory for owners of farm animals to provide these basic requirements. Speaking about cattle in an interview with Living the Country Life, David Sparks, an extension veterinarian from Oklahoma State University, warns: “If you’re uncomfortable,the herd is too hot, and if you’re too hot, the herd is in serious danger.” Sparks explains that cattle don’t sweat and have an upper critical temperature that is around 20 degrees cooler than humans. “So that means if it is 80 ℉ [26.6 ℃] outside it feels like 100℉ [37.7℃] to cattle. They are also affected more seriously by humidity.”
This results in severe suffering, according to Australian-born veterinarian Andrew Knight, Professor of Animal Welfare at Winchester University in the UK. “Cows and other Farm animals are sentient, sensitive animals, capable of feeling pain, stress and fear,” says Knight. “Being exposed to excessive sunlight can be highly stressful and decrease their health and welfare. Such systematic lack of care is indicative of the widespread exploitation these animals endure.”
Elizabeth Shanahan, former Rockhampton President of the RSPCA for 20 years, is also deeply concerned about the lack of appropriate shelter for outdoor farm animals. “From my experience very little has been done to protect farm animals from the elements,” says Shanahan. “Complaints about the treatment of farm animals are rarely, if ever, prosecuted. Something must change and soon to protect these vulnerable forgotten animals. The Queensland community expects laws that protect all animals. Laws must be upgraded and enforceable, to ensure the basic right to shade and shelter for all farm animals.”
This campaign has received the support of Melbourne-based Philip Wollen, OAM. “I travel 20,000km throughout the Australian countryside every year,” says Wollen. “What I see every day as we drive past vast open paddocks in Australia are no trees, blazing heat and distressed, parched and panting animals. I often see animals lying dead on the ground. Every paddock has been cleared of trees. Occasionally I see a paddock with a single tree, under which 100 or so parched animals stand, and clustered around them in the blazing sun will be 1,000 more – with not a single shadow to protect them. This is an atrocity and laws must be changed to force farmers to provide adequate shelter and shade for their charges.”
Animals Need Shade is calling on all Australians and citizens of the world to sign this petition. The public are unaware of the statistics on deaths, and the serious physical and psychological distress suffered by animals who have no protection. Together our voices will help stop suffering. We are working with all states to create change. Please join this force for Farm animals.
Evidence is available of hundreds of community complaints in relation to no shade/shelter. However many continue to suffer without adequate shade/shelter, even after reports have been made.
THE IMPORTANCE TO REPORTING CRUELTY TO NOTIFY AUTHORITIES THAT THE COMMUNITY CARES
The community will continue to report to the RSPCA, keeping the CASE NUMBER and photos. When the community sees that animals continue to suffer after a report has been made - many in the community will now contact the Animal Defenders Office immediately after a second report is made. Note: case numbers are not given out after you have reported, so if you don't have a number you wont be given it again.
### About ‘Animals Need Shade’ Animals Need Shade is a campaign launched in 2017 by Queenslanders. Animals Need Shade have launched an online petition with the Queensland government calling for stronger legal protections and enforceability regarding the provision of adequate shade and shelter for farm animals. We are waiting for an answer regarding the petition. They will be working with all states to make shade/shelter mandatory across Australia.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/animalsavetv/
Other relevant links:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2014-01-24/heat-cow-deaths/5217546
ZONES OF COMFORT FARM ANIMALS
Farm animal have zones of comfort (thermoneutral zone) before they experience heat pain. No shade shelter/solar radiation heightens suffering. Humidity, extra weight, diet, pregnancy, young animals, and more will also lead to further pain and suffering.
Beef cattle (British breeds) 15 – 25°C
Beef cattle (tropical breeds) 16 – 27°C
Chickens & hens 10 – 20°C
Dairy cattle 5 – 20°C
Goats 10 – 20°C
Pigs 16 – 25°C
Sheep 21 – 31°C
Turkeys 10 – 24°C
SUMMER
Humidity significantly impacts farm animals (Temperature Humidty Index) THI - is used to measure suffering. Suffering is often counted in number of pants per minute
Temperature head load (THL) – consistent hot weather meaning there is no relief from the pain endured from heat,
the inability of cattle to sweat & difficulty in dissipating heat leading to increased respiratory diseases
solar radiation (no shade shelter from blazing sun),
soil temperature of dirt– which is significantly hotter than air temperature
young, sick, pregnant eg Ewes pregnant 5-6 months of the year, Dairy cows constantly pregnant and lactating suffering starts at 21 degrees and 75% humidity.
WINTER
Wind chill (e.g) if at 0 degrees celcius (32 degrees FH) with a wind of 20 kmph can feel like -5 degrees celcius (25 degrees FH)
wet bodies from rain and hail,
soil temperature – frost or ice in winter
young, sick, pregnant eg Ewes pregnant 5-6 months of the year, mature animals all suffer more.
37,812
The issue
Each year thousands of outdoor farm animals suffer terribly from heat pain due to having no access to shade or shelter in paddocks, sale yards, holding pens and feedlots throughout Australia and other countries. The sheep in the photo seek shade from a fencepost from the blazing sun in Australia.
A former RSPCA president, ex-Citibank Vice President Order of Australia recipient, and Australian veterinarian and professor are all supporting animal advocates in our campaign to mandate shade and shelter for thousands of farm animals in Queensland and ultimately throughout Australia and the world.
‘Animals Need Shade’ have lodged a petition in the Queensland Parliament, which has finished. QLD residents are waiting for an answer whether Mark Furner will adopt mandatory laws to give farm animals the right to shade shelter. Please follow Animals Need Shade Facebook page to keep up to date with what is happening. We are calling on owners of farm animals to take responsibility and the government to fulfil their role in representing the the Australian people to provider laws that prevent unnecessary suffering. Please sign the CHANGE ORG petition
MEDIA RELEASE
ABC RADIO INTERVIEW with Morika E - please refer to website
Queenslanders urge government to enforce mandatory shade and shelter for farm animals. Animal advocates lodged a petition in the Queensland Parliament (just finished), urging a change in the law to protect farm animals suffering heat pain, as temperatures in the state rise and heatwaves become commonplace and are waiting for an answer.
Australia is definitely a sunburnt country. Record summer temperatures have made headlines around the world. While the heat may be good news for some in our beach-loving country, it has devastating consequences for millions of farmed animals routinely kept outdoors in paddocks, saleyards, holding pens and feedlots with little to no shade. Queenslanders fear lack of no shade/shelter for farm animals is an animal welfare crisis.
Animals Need Shade is leading the charge in calling for mandatory legislation to force owners of farm animals across Australia and other countries to provide adequate shelter for cows, sheep, horses and other farm animals.
Animals Need Shade recently filed a petition on the Queensland Parliament’s website urging the government to insert mandatory requirements into the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 for adequate shelter for livestock kept outdoors, including a definition of ‘adequate shelter’, and to introduce penalties for owners and carers who fail to provide adequate shelter for their outdoor farm animals.
Animals Need Shade have the support of leading animal advocates, including animal advocate Philip Wollen, OAM, veterinarian and professor Andrew Knight, and former Rockhampton RSPCA president Elizabeth Shanahan.
“I remember how hot it was last summer in Canungra, Beaudesert and Boonah and how I couldn’t stand in the sun for more than five minutes without feeling the brunt of this shocking heat,” says Morika, who lives in the Scenic Rim. “The sight of Farm Animals exposed and suffering from the extreme heat of the sun without shade or shelter is unfortunately common throughout Queensland."
Animals need shade advocates are concerned about all Farm animals and claims that cows suffer, even more in the heat than humans, especially without shade. Dairy NZ notes that Fresian cows (approximately 83% of dairy cows in Australia are Fresian) begin to experience the effects of heat pain when the temperature reaches 68℉ (21℃) at 75% relative humidity. The average annual temperature in many parts of Queensland is 29°C. In 2017 even southern regions such as Gatton recorded 141 days where temperatures reached over 30°C.
Despite the Queensland government’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) acknowledging the impact of heat stress on farm animals and recommending shelter and shade, it is not mandatory for owners of farm animals to provide these basic requirements. Speaking about cattle in an interview with Living the Country Life, David Sparks, an extension veterinarian from Oklahoma State University, warns: “If you’re uncomfortable,the herd is too hot, and if you’re too hot, the herd is in serious danger.” Sparks explains that cattle don’t sweat and have an upper critical temperature that is around 20 degrees cooler than humans. “So that means if it is 80 ℉ [26.6 ℃] outside it feels like 100℉ [37.7℃] to cattle. They are also affected more seriously by humidity.”
This results in severe suffering, according to Australian-born veterinarian Andrew Knight, Professor of Animal Welfare at Winchester University in the UK. “Cows and other Farm animals are sentient, sensitive animals, capable of feeling pain, stress and fear,” says Knight. “Being exposed to excessive sunlight can be highly stressful and decrease their health and welfare. Such systematic lack of care is indicative of the widespread exploitation these animals endure.”
Elizabeth Shanahan, former Rockhampton President of the RSPCA for 20 years, is also deeply concerned about the lack of appropriate shelter for outdoor farm animals. “From my experience very little has been done to protect farm animals from the elements,” says Shanahan. “Complaints about the treatment of farm animals are rarely, if ever, prosecuted. Something must change and soon to protect these vulnerable forgotten animals. The Queensland community expects laws that protect all animals. Laws must be upgraded and enforceable, to ensure the basic right to shade and shelter for all farm animals.”
This campaign has received the support of Melbourne-based Philip Wollen, OAM. “I travel 20,000km throughout the Australian countryside every year,” says Wollen. “What I see every day as we drive past vast open paddocks in Australia are no trees, blazing heat and distressed, parched and panting animals. I often see animals lying dead on the ground. Every paddock has been cleared of trees. Occasionally I see a paddock with a single tree, under which 100 or so parched animals stand, and clustered around them in the blazing sun will be 1,000 more – with not a single shadow to protect them. This is an atrocity and laws must be changed to force farmers to provide adequate shelter and shade for their charges.”
Animals Need Shade is calling on all Australians and citizens of the world to sign this petition. The public are unaware of the statistics on deaths, and the serious physical and psychological distress suffered by animals who have no protection. Together our voices will help stop suffering. We are working with all states to create change. Please join this force for Farm animals.
Evidence is available of hundreds of community complaints in relation to no shade/shelter. However many continue to suffer without adequate shade/shelter, even after reports have been made.
THE IMPORTANCE TO REPORTING CRUELTY TO NOTIFY AUTHORITIES THAT THE COMMUNITY CARES
The community will continue to report to the RSPCA, keeping the CASE NUMBER and photos. When the community sees that animals continue to suffer after a report has been made - many in the community will now contact the Animal Defenders Office immediately after a second report is made. Note: case numbers are not given out after you have reported, so if you don't have a number you wont be given it again.
### About ‘Animals Need Shade’ Animals Need Shade is a campaign launched in 2017 by Queenslanders. Animals Need Shade have launched an online petition with the Queensland government calling for stronger legal protections and enforceability regarding the provision of adequate shade and shelter for farm animals. We are waiting for an answer regarding the petition. They will be working with all states to make shade/shelter mandatory across Australia.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/animalsavetv/
Other relevant links:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2014-01-24/heat-cow-deaths/5217546
ZONES OF COMFORT FARM ANIMALS
Farm animal have zones of comfort (thermoneutral zone) before they experience heat pain. No shade shelter/solar radiation heightens suffering. Humidity, extra weight, diet, pregnancy, young animals, and more will also lead to further pain and suffering.
Beef cattle (British breeds) 15 – 25°C
Beef cattle (tropical breeds) 16 – 27°C
Chickens & hens 10 – 20°C
Dairy cattle 5 – 20°C
Goats 10 – 20°C
Pigs 16 – 25°C
Sheep 21 – 31°C
Turkeys 10 – 24°C
SUMMER
Humidity significantly impacts farm animals (Temperature Humidty Index) THI - is used to measure suffering. Suffering is often counted in number of pants per minute
Temperature head load (THL) – consistent hot weather meaning there is no relief from the pain endured from heat,
the inability of cattle to sweat & difficulty in dissipating heat leading to increased respiratory diseases
solar radiation (no shade shelter from blazing sun),
soil temperature of dirt– which is significantly hotter than air temperature
young, sick, pregnant eg Ewes pregnant 5-6 months of the year, Dairy cows constantly pregnant and lactating suffering starts at 21 degrees and 75% humidity.
WINTER
Wind chill (e.g) if at 0 degrees celcius (32 degrees FH) with a wind of 20 kmph can feel like -5 degrees celcius (25 degrees FH)
wet bodies from rain and hail,
soil temperature – frost or ice in winter
young, sick, pregnant eg Ewes pregnant 5-6 months of the year, mature animals all suffer more.
37,812
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 5 January 2019