Farm Animal Health & Welfare

Farm Animal Welfare Concerns

If you witness a farm animal in distress, you can report the incident and provincial animal welfare inspectors with the Department of Environment and Climate Change will respond.

See their contact information in the sidebar on the right side of this page, or visit:   https://novascotia.ca/nse/food-protection/farm-animal-welfare.asp

The Department of Environment and Climate Change is responsible for the Farm Animal Welfare Program. The program includes enforcing the farm animal welfare provisions of the Nova Scotia Animal Protection Act and sections of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Notifiable Animal Diseases in Nova Scotia

Under Nova Scotia's Animal Health and Protection Regulations there is mandatory reporting of notifiable and reportable diseases. All owners, custodians, veterinarians and laboratories that suspect or confirm that any animal is suffering from a provincially notifiable disease must report the suspicion or confirmation to the Chief Veterinary Officer in writing within 24 hours.

Notifiable Diseases

    Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT)
    Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) has been designated as a notifiable disease in Nova Scotia. Click here for a fact sheet on preventing Infectious Laryngotracheitis.

Farm Animal Health Programs


Cattle Herd Health Assistance Program

Purpose: To encourage cattle owners to utilize the professional services of a veterinarian, on a regular basis, for the maintenance and improvement of herd health, through the application of the principles of preventative medicine.

Sheep Herd Health Program

Purpose: To encourage purebred and commercial sheep flock owners to utilize the professional services of a veterinarian, on a regular basis, for the maintenance and improvement of flock health, through application of the principles of preventative medicine.

Swine Herd Health Program

Purpose: To minimize disease in swine herds through herd inspections, recording of disease findings, adoption of procedures to reduce or eradicate common disease already present, and to prevent the introduction of other diseases.

Mink Ranch Health Program

Purpose: To encourage mink breeders to utilize the professional services of a veterinarian, on a regular basis, for the maintenance and improvement of ranch mink health, through the application of the principles of bio-security and preventative medicine.