Animal Health and Welfare

Gloucestershire is predominantly a rural county, and home to farms and agricultural holdings of all types. The county also has a livestock market, four slaughterhouses and various agricultural shows and events.

Our animal health and welfare team enforces the legislation designed to protect livestock, farm animals, and the integrity of the human food chain. We also offer advice and assistance to farmers and the livestock industry so that they can comply with their statutory obligations.

The team’s responsibilities include monitoring and influencing the standards of animal health and welfare on farms, in transport, at markets and all other animal gatherings, in order to ensure that they are protected from cruelty and avoidable pain or distress, and also to prevent the spread of disease.

Gloucestershire County Council has produced an Animal Welfare Charter setting out the council’s policy on safeguarding standards of animal health and welfare.

For advice on welfare or technical matters, or to make a complaint, contact our office or one of our Animal Health Inspectors:

For out of hours emergencies please call 01452 426201.