Animals' Angels visit Shepparton Regional Saleyards where approx 2000 sheep and lambs were for sale. The facility is under cover and clean. Sheep who are unloaded the night before sale are penned in the cattle area which is also under cover. There the sheep are on soft ground over night which helps avoid their feet becoming sore from standing on concrete.
They are moved in the morning to the sheep selling pens. There are many welfare signs advising of good handling, prohibiting dogs from being in the cattle yards and banning the use of electrical prodders and canes and other solid guiding implements.
Overall the condition of the sheep was acceptable, although we observed at least 3 who exhibited a reluctance to use a leg while a 4th had mastitis. It was clear she found it very uncomfortable to move and so with her back arched she stayed still. A 5th sheep appeared newly shorn and very cold, and with her back arched she too remained still preferring not to move regardless of what was going on around her.
