Whether you’re a commercial transporter or a producer transporting your own animals, it is important to keep records on the movement of animals to ensure that animals are being responsibly taken care of and humanely transported. You can do this by filling out a Transfer of Care form and an Animal Transport Record. But what’s the difference?
Transfer of Care Form
What is its purpose?
The purpose of a Transfer of Care Form is to ensure that animals are not left at slaughter facilities, assembly centres, or auctions without evidence that the care has been transferred from the transporter to the receiver. This form only applies for animals that are delivered to slaughter, assembly, and auction facilities. After the recipient of the transfer of care form has acknowledged it, the responsibility of the care for the animals becomes theirs.
Who has to fill this out?
Commercial transporters must fill out a transfer of care form.
Producers who are transporting their animals for financial benefit, such as to an assembly or auction centre, must fill out the form prior to leaving the animals.
What information is needed?
There is no specific format to follow for a Transfer of Care form, however, there are requirements when writing one. Transporters must include:
- The condition of the animals upon arrival
- The date, time, and place where the animals were last fed, watered, and rested
- The date and time when the animals arrived at the slaughter establishment or assembly centre.
Animal Transport Record
What is its purpose?
The purpose of an Animal Transport Record is to record information about the animal(s) during every step of transportation and ensure that everybody involved in the process can access this information. This includes producers, transporters, and receivers.
Who has to fill it out?
If you’re a commercial transporter, someone in the business of transporting animals, or if you’re transporting animals for financial benefit, you must fill out an Animal Transport Record.
What information is needed?
The Animal Transport Record must include:
- The name and address or the shipper, co-signee, and the driver of the transport vehicle
- The date and time when the animals were loaded onto the transport vehicle
- The number, description, and weight of the animals being transported
- The date, time, and place of arrival
- The date and time when the animals were last fed, watered, and rested prior to loading
- Some truck specific information such as the number and/or license plate of the vehicle, available floor area, and the date/time/place when the conveyance or container was last cleaned and disinfected
For an example of an Animal Transport Record form, visit: Health of Animals Regulations: Part XII: Transport of Animals-Regulatory Amendment Interpretive Guidance for Regulated Parties – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca)
General questions
What are the key differences between the documents?
- An Animal Transport Record is needed anytime an animal is transported while a Transfer of Care form is needed only when an animal is transported to an abattoir, assembly yard, or an auction market.
- An Animal Transport Record is filled out at every step of transportation (upon loading, during a feed/water/rest period, and when the animals arrive at their destination) while a Transfer of Care form is filled out only upon dropping off the animals.
- A Transfer of Care form is filled out by the transporter while an Animal Transport Record is filled out throughout the transportation process by everybody directly involved (i.e. producers, transporters, receivers, etc).
Do I have to fill out both documents?
As there are no format requirements for the Transfer of Care form, you may fill out only the Animal Care Record and add a transfer of care notice to it.
How long should I keep these documents?
It is mandatory to keep the Animal Transport Record on file for 2 years. It is recommended that both parties keep a record of the Transfer of Care form for 2 years as well.
Conclusion
Filling out and keeping records of the Animal Transport Record and Transfer of Care forms allows transporters, producers, and receivers to ensure that animals are being transported humanely.
For more information on the Animal Transport Record and Transfer of Care forms, you can visit the following resources: