Since 1995, the Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) ALERT Line (1-800-506-2273) has been providing a valuable service to and been an integral part of the province’s livestock industry. Last year, over 500 calls were received at the ALERT Line. Of those, 88 cases that were investigated required some form of intervention.
“Producers were asking for an alternative service where the public could report any suspected animal care concerns in a confidential way, and enable producers themselves to get some help,” says Pam Miller ALERT Line co-ordinator. “We know animal welfare is a growing public concern — agriculture is definitely under scrutiny. The ALERT service also helps to educate the public.”
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AFAC has established resource leaders and team members across the province to respond to situations arising from ALERT Line calls. “The resource team members have successfully nipped problems in the bud, providing practical hands-on advice to improve animal care and support responsible producers when the public calls were unfounded,” adds Miller.
Miller explains that when a call comes in the ALERT co-ordinator determines the nature of the call. “If the caller is unfamiliar with agricultural practices the co-ordinator will provide information that will enable them to better understand the situation they were calling about. We receive a lot of calls that are unfounded. More and more, ALERT has become a source of information.”
