Camel welfare code

The 'Model code of practice for the welfare of animals: the camel' is a voluntary code under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. The code is a guide for all people responsible for the welfare or management of camels.

The code aims to achieve humane husbandry throughout all types of camel enterprises. It contains information and guidelines to achieve minimum acceptable standards of animal welfare for camels. It applies to all types of camel enterprises, whether commercial or hobby.

The code promotes animal welfare for camels by defining acceptable management practices and encouraging considerate and efficient treatment and handling of camels.

The code has been developed in consultation with animal industries, animal welfare groups, and relevant state and federal government departments. It is one of a series of national animal welfare codes for livestock. The code was published in 2006.

• Read the Model code of practice for the welfare of animals: the camel.

Aspects of the camel welfare code

The camel code outlines the basic welfare needs of camels and emphasises the importance of managers and stock people having the skills and attitudes to achieve good animal welfare outcomes.

The code covers the animal welfare aspects of:

• food, water and predation
• protection from climatic extremes
• mustering
• management practices
• reproduction
• health
• camel transport
• euthanasia.

The code is not a comprehensive manual on how to care for camels and does not provide detailed information on diets or animal health regimes.

Duty of care to camels

Anyone who owns, manages or handles camels may have a legal duty of care under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 and, therefore, a responsibility to ensure acceptable welfare standards. This includes:

• camel owners (commercial and non-commercial)
• saleyard agents
• stock managers
• veterinarians
• stock handlers
• processors
• contractors
• transporters.

Other welfare codes relevant to camels

Everyone involved in transporting camels must comply with the compulsory code of practice for transport of livestock.

More information on the appropriate care and handling of camels is contained in the animal welfare codes for livestock at slaughtering establishments.

Those involved in feral animal control should also be familiar with the code of practice for the destruction or capture, handling and marketing of feral livestock animals.

Also consider...

• Find out more about animal welfare codes of practice.
• Read Schedule 5 of the Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2023 to learn more about the compulsory code for the land transport of livestock.
• Learn about the feral livestock code.