Rehoming Livestock Responsibly
Rehoming livestock can be emotional, particularly when an animal has been part of a family or farm for many years.
Planning ahead gives owners more opportunity to choose an appropriate next home.
Describe the animal accurately
Provide truthful information about:
- age
- sex and reproductive status
- health
- vaccination and medical history where known
- temperament
- handling experience
- special feeding requirements
- injuries or limitations
Ask what the new owner intends to do
If the animal’s future use matters to you, ask directly.
A buyer may intend to use an animal for breeding, riding, companionship, feeding, resale or another commercial purpose.
Consider the facilities
Appropriate fencing and housing vary considerably between cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats and poultry.
Plan transportation
Animals need to be fit for the planned journey and transported appropriately.
Canadian humane transport requirements apply to livestock transportation.
Keep identification requirements in mind
Species such as cattle are subject to livestock identification and traceability requirements when moving between locations.
A verbal assumption about what a buyer or adopter will do later provides little clarity if expectations differ.
Rescue is one option, not the only option
A suitable private home, another farm or an established livestock operation may be an appropriate placement depending on the animal and owner’s goals.
The objective should be an informed transition with realistic expectations.
Sources & Further Reading
These primary sources provide additional information and regulatory context for this article.
- CFIA – Livestock and poultry transport in Canada
- CFIA – Transfer of care requirements
- CFIA – Livestock identification and traceability
Last reviewed: September 2026.