Livestock

Livestock Testing

Livestock testing is conducted by the Animal Health staff to ensure the health of the livestock in the state and to ensure public health when consuming animal products. Budget and staffing constraints do not allow Animal Health staff to perform testing to meet the requests of those producers who wish to have their animals tested for the purpose of interstate movement for sale or show. A federally accredited veterinarian must perform official testing for interstate movement for sale, or for show. The Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association may offer assistance in finding a federally accredited veterinarian.

For more information, please read the 2010 RI Division of Agriculture Animal Health Testing Policy.

Livestock Welfare and Care Standards

The RI Livestock Welfare and Care Standards 2014 were created by the Livestock Welfare and Care Standards Advisory Council to serve as the minimum care standards for all livestock that are kept in the state Rhode Island. More information on the duties of the Livestock Welfare and Care Standards Advisory Council can be found here. This document also references the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals (2013 Edition) regarding the humane euthanasia of livestock, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching (2010 Edition) for species specific technical information.