Ethical sourcing in large animal systems requires a comprehensive evaluation of both the physical environment and the biological condition of the animals. High-welfare breeding operations are characterized by transparency, structured management protocols, and clear evidence of veterinary oversight. Prospective buyers must move beyond superficial appearance and instead assess measurable indicators of welfare that align with scientific frameworks such as the Five Domains Model.

In cattle, this includes evaluation of body condition scoring (BCS), gait and lameness scoring, coat condition, and cleanliness, all of which provide insight into nutritional status, health management, and housing quality. For example, the presence of lameness or uneven weight-bearing is a strong indicator of chronic pain and inadequate hoof care, directly compromising both the health and mental state domains.

In pigs, high-welfare systems provide access to manipulable materials such as straw or enrichment devices, which are essential for allowing natural rooting behavior. The absence of such enrichment is strongly associated with behavioral disorders such as tail-biting, indicating a failure of both the behavioral expression and mental state domains.

In sheep and goats, indicators such as fleece condition, parasite burden (e.g., through FAMACHA scoring), and hoof integrity reflect the quality of ongoing husbandry. In equine systems, calm demeanor, appropriate muscling, proper hoof trimming, and access to pasture-based environments demonstrate alignment with species-specific welfare needs as outlined by the National Farm Animal Care Council.

Collectively, these indicators allow buyers to assess whether animals are being maintained in conditions that support not only survival, but positive welfare states.

Behavioural assessment provides critical insight into the animal’s early-life experiences and overall welfare status. Animals that exhibit abnormal or maladaptive behaviours often reflect environments that have failed to meet their psychological and behavioural needs.

In cattle, excessive flight distance, agitation during handling, or reluctance to move through handling systems may indicate chronic stress or poor human interaction. In pigs, persistent vocalization, aggression, or physical signs such as tail lesions are indicative of overcrowding, stress, and inadequate enrichment. In horses, behavioural red flags include head-shyness, avoidance of human contact, heightened reactivity, or stereotypic behaviours such as cribbing or weaving, all of which are strongly associated with chronic stress and environmental deprivation. In goats and sheep, abnormal aggression or extreme fear responses may reflect inconsistent handling or inadequate early socialization.

From a welfare perspective, these behaviours represent clear disruptions to the mental state domain of the Five Domains Model and should be considered non-negotiable warning signs. Importantly, behavioural dysfunction not only compromises welfare but also increases safety risks and reduces the animal’s ability to integrate successfully into managed systems.

One of the best ways to ethically source a companion animal is by going to a local shelter and choosing an animal to adopt. Making sure beforehand that you are aware of your boundaries and the level of care an animal might need to be provided is key to selecting an animal from a shelter. The SPCA strongly encourages adopting animals from a shelter or getting an animal from a pet store that partners with shelters to supply their available animals. Life history for the animal may be missing if coming from a shelter, but the shelter should provide all information on the animal they have and ensure the animal has its basic medical requirements. Getting an animal from a shelter is the best way to ensure that a companion animal is ethically sourced, and it helps to reduce the overcrowding shelters face.

If getting a companion animal from a shelter is not possible or a specific breed of animal is water there are other ways to ethically source an animal, which requires owner research and education. When choosing a specific breed, ensure extensive research on the breed has been done beforehand to see if that breed is prone to any genetic diseases because of its genetics, its species-specific requirements, and if the breed would be a good fit. After researching the breed itself, it's also important to look into breeders. A good and reputable breeder should use practices that align with the five freedoms of animal care and should give the full health records of the animal they are adopting out. A breeder should also provide the life history and any behavioral concerns the animal may have regarding the animal to ensure the potential owner is a good fit for the animal. Comparing breeders can be the most efficient way to select a reputable breeder. Depending on the location, a breeder may have a certificate or license for animal breeding that abides by their local law regulation.

“Companion animal providers who follow evidence-based best practices will protect the welfare of their animals and increase the chances that potential guardians will be satisfied with the animal they acquire” (BCSPCA, 2026)

Some common breeder red flags could be. 

• Poor communication 
• Not providing animal history 
• Evasive or unresponsive about animal health 
• Defensive or dismissive
• No veterinary records
• Secretive about the facility
• Not transparents 
• Lack of reviews or certification 
• Demanding/pushy about payment 
• Won't show the animal parents / the animals being bred
• Unhygienic or poor living conditions 
• No formal contracts regarding adoption 
• Doesn't ask questions about the family adopting animals 
• Offering multiple breeds and breed mixes