Feed, Water & Rest Document Breakdown

Rules & Regulations by HAR Part XII Sections 152, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3, 152.4

About the Document

1. Why is this form required?

Commercial carriers and transporters are required to feed, water and rest transporting animals within different time intervals(depending on the species). Therefore, a feed, water and rest(FWR) document was introduced by HAR to make sure no animal suffers from dehydration, nutritional deficit or exhaustion during the transport.

2. What time(s) interval(s) should the form be filled out, updated or made copy of?

According to Interpretive Guidance section 19.1, transporters are required to fill the initial last FWR information before loading the animal for shipment. The animals are then constantly monitored by transporters or commercial carriers and are provided with appropriate feed, water and rest intervals during the transport. Note HAR has specified feed, water and rest intervals lengths based on the species of animal. The information on FWR is updated upon each feed, water and rest stop.

3. Is there a specific required format for FWR?

There is no specified FWR format. However, HAR does require a record of every stop/interval of FWR i.e. date, time and place where animals were last fed, watered and rested need to be updated for every stop.

4. Does the information on FWR overlap with other essential forms?

FWR information is required by Transfer of Care document at the time of shipment acknowledgement and the initial FWR record must be taken at the time of loading animals for shipment(similar to animal record information).

5. Is there any specific time duration for which the FWR document must be stored?

There is no specified time to store the FWR record. However, the last FWR record goes on the Transfer of Care document which should be preserved for 2 years.

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Rules & Regulations for Feed, Water and Rest

1. Are there rules & regulations that must be followed when feeding animals?

• A feed interval starts when the animal was last fed. HAR has an interval guideline for every animal that shouldn’t be exceeded. Refer to HAR section 152.2 for time intervals for each species.
• Equipment used to feed animals must be appropriately designed, constructed and maintained
• Safe and clean environment
• Ventilation

2. Are there rules & regulations that must be followed when providing water to animals?

Transporters must comply with safe water requirement mentioned in Interpretive Guidance section 19.2 i.e.

• water must be safe and provide hydration
• water must not be frozen
• water should be delivered the way animals are familiar with
• the stocking density must be low enough to allow all animals to move to and access the water
• if the behavior of one or more animals prevents others from having access to water, those animals should be relocated.

3. Are there rules & regulations that must be followed for rest stops?

• Rest period must not be less than 8 consecutive hours
• When possible animals must be kept in their transport group
• Only use of well maintained and designed equipment(if any)
• Sufficient space is provided to allow the animal to lie down without lying on top of other animals
• Appropriate ventilation
• Appropriate bedding should be provided.

4. What will happen if the FWR intervals requirements are not fulfilled?

If FWR interval requirements are not met often by a transporter or any animal suffer due to lack of FWR conditions. CFIA inspectors can take action against transporters.

5. What if the animal requires a more frequent FWR interval than ones specified by HAR section 152.2?

Transporters are required to continuously monitor their animals and take decisions based on animal requirements. Note an animal should always be given precedence over the transport or shipment routine. If any animal requires more frequent FWR provision, they should not be left until their next due FWR interval.