Berry Springs Farmstay – Animal Welfare Terms & Guidelines

These guidelines set the minimum care standards for everyone looking after animals on our property. They are practical instructions for humane, safe, and consistent care. 

Purpose

• Keep all animals healthy, calm, hydrated, well-fed, and protected from heat, storms, predators, and hazards.
• Ensure consistent routines so animals feel secure and carers can hand over smoothly.
• Prevent disease and injury through good hygiene, biosecurity, and safe handling.

Who this applies to

• All carers, caretakers, helpers, volunteers, visitors involved in animal care at Berry Springs Farmstay.
• New carers must read these terms before starting and follow them at all times.

Core welfare standards

• Provide fresh water at all times; check/refresh troughs, buckets, and bowls morning and evening (more often in heat).
• Feed correct diets in the right amounts and at the agreed times. No changes without Owner approval.
• Maintain clean, dry, shaded shelter; fix or report broken latches, sharp edges, loose wire, holes, or trip hazards immediately.
• Keep enclosures secure: gates latched, night lock‑up done, day turnout supervised as required.
• Use low‑stress, fear‑free handling; never chase, hit, yell at, or frighten animals. No rough handling or punishment.
• Monitor health and behaviour daily; if something looks off, treat it as important and report it.

Heat, weather & NT conditions

• Adjust to the heat: offer extra water, more shade, electrolytes if directed, and rest breaks. Avoid the peak heat.
• Storms/cyclones: secure loose items, check shelters, move animals as directed.
• Wildlife awareness: assume snakes, toads, insects, and crocodiles may be present in the Top End. Follow safety notes below.

Hygiene & biosecurity

• Wash/sanitise hands before and after handling animals, feed, or waste.
• Use foot baths/boot brushes when provided. Keep one set of boots for animal areas if possible.
• Quarantine any new, sick, or injured animal as directed; use separate tools/buckets.
• Store feed in sealed bins; clean up spilt feed to avoid pests.
• Clean and disinfect tools, bowls, and surfaces as per the routine below.

Medications & treatments

• Only give meds/treatments that are listed in the care notes and authorised by the Owner.
• Double‑check name, dose, route, and time. Record it in the daily log.
• Never share syringes/needles between animals; place sharps in a sharps container.

Daily routine (example – adapt to current roster)

• Morning (~7:00): head count; health check; refresh water; feed by species plan; spot clean pens; check fences/doors; note issues.
• Evening (~18:00): feed; refresh water; lock‑up; turn off/on lights as needed; final health/behaviour check; update daily log.
• Weekly: deep clean pens/coops; rake/replace bedding; scrub & disinfect bowls/troughs; rotate yard/pasture where applicable; inventory feed/meds.

Enrichment & behaviour

• Provide species‑appropriate enrichment (browse, toys, foraging, paddock time) as listed in animal care notes.
• Watch for stress signs (pacing, hiding, aggression, not eating) and adjust environment/handling.

Prohibited practices

• No hitting, kicking, throwing, pinning, or forced restraint beyond safe veterinary handling.
• No withholding of water or feed. No home remedies or chemicals without approval.
• No unsupervised mixing of incompatible animals or species.

Wildlife, pests & pool safety

• Snakes: keep calm, back away, secure animals, call Owner. Do not attempt capture/kill.
• Cane toads: remove from animal areas with gloves/tools; keep dogs away.
• Insects: use repellents/controls as provided. Check for ticks/flies, especially in the Wet.
• Pool: animals are not allowed in pool areas unless explicitly directed; keep gates shut and no glass nearby.

Cleaning & waste

• Remove manure and soiled bedding to the designated waste area/compost.
• Hose/scrub pens and paths safely to avoid runoff into water sources.
• Keep feed prep areas clean; wipe benches; close bins; sweep floors.

Record‑keeping (daily log)

• Log feed amounts, water top‑ups, meds given, pen cleaning, and any incidents (escapes, injuries, abnormal behaviour).
• Add photos only if approved and store them where directed (no posting publicly without consent).

Emergencies & when to call

Call the Owner immediately if you notice:

• Laboured breathing, drooling, collapse, seizures, severe lameness, heavy bleeding, bloat, sudden distress, or snakebite.
• Escapes, broken fencing, suspected poisoning, or heat stress. If the Owner cannot be reached, follow the posted Emergency Plan on site (clinic name, address, phone) and act in the animal’s best interests.

PPE & personal safety

• Wear closed shoes/boots, gloves for cleaning, eye protection for chemicals, and sun protection.
• Do not use machinery or tools unless trained and cleared. Report faults and near‑misses.

Visitors & children

• No unsupervised visitors in animal areas. Children must be actively supervised and kept out of restricted zones.

Photography & privacy

• Ask before taking photos. Never share the property address, lock codes, camera locations, or routines online.

Handovers

• Before you finish a shift: top up water, secure gates, update the daily log, leave feed areas tidy, and message the next carer if something needs attention.

Quick checklists

Morning & Evening

• Water full and clean
• Feed as per plan
• Count animals / health scan
• Pens latched / fences intact
• Note anything unusual in the log

Weekly

• Deep clean & disinfect
• Bowl/trough scrub
• Bedding refresh
• Feed/meds inventory

Emergency grab list (know where these are)

• Owner contact numbers, clinic card, transport crate, halters/leads, towels/blankets, first‑aid kit, sharps container

Acknowledgement

• By caring for animals at Berry Springs Farmstay, you agree to follow these welfare terms, ask if unsure, and prioritise animal wellbeing and safety at all times.
• Print your own Animal Welfare Checklist