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Alberta SPCA encourages livestock owners to arrange winter feed

Hay, secure your feed
18517659_web1_hayfield

The Alberta SPCA encourages livestock owners to make arrangements now for winter feed for their animals.

This has been a tumultuous year for investigations of underfed livestock in Alberta, particularly for horses.

With another year of challenging hay production before us, the Alberta SPCA urges animal owners to seek out and lock in feed immediately to ensure they have an adequate supply of high quality hay.

“Hay conditions have improved this summer thanks to all the moisture,” said Ken Dean, director of animal protection services for the Alberta SPCA.

“However, the quality of the hay is still an unknown due to all the rain. Owners who wait until the fall or winter to look for high quality feed may find it difficult to buy, and those who do find it will have to pay a premium price.”

From last November to June, the Alberta SPCA initiated 402 investigations for neglected horses. A total of 233 horses were taken into protective custody.

The Alberta SPCA has spent $187,000 in 2019 for the transportation and care of those animals. Most have since been rehomed.

Horses and other livestock require additional feed to stay warm during the winter. During a prolonged cold snap, animals will see their body condition deteriorate quickly without adequate nutrition.

Once that happens, another increase in feed is required in order for the animals to return to an acceptable weight.

“We do not want to see a repeat of 2019 during the upcoming winter,” said Dan Kobe, communications manager for the Alberta SPCA.

“Owners who do not secure feed now may be putting their animals at risk.”

“If livestock owners cannot afford to feed their animals, they will have to look at reducing their herd before winter arrives,“ added Dean.

“‘I can’t find feed,’ or ‘I can’t afford feed,’ are not acceptable excuses for starving your animals.”

Animal owners who allow their animals to be in distress due to a lack of food or water could face charges under the Animal Protection Act.

If convicted, they could face a maximum fine of $20,000, and a lifetime prohibition from owning animals. The vision of the Alberta SPCA is that every animal in Alberta be treated humanely.

- Submitted by Alberta SPCA



Emily Jaycox

About the Author: Emily Jaycox

I’m Emily Jaycox, the editor of Ponoka News and the Bashaw Star. I’ve lived in Ponoka since 2015 and have over seven years of experience working as a journalist in central Alberta communities.
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