Alberta guide
Humane Handling and Stunning at Alberta Abattoirs: Records and Immediate Response
Last reviewed: 2026-08-17 · Primary sources verified in InspectionDay regulatory datasets
Alberta MFS addresses humane handling and stunning for abattoir operations. This guide explains operational recordkeeping — not animal fitness decisions, which remain with trained staff and inspectors/veterinarians.
What to document
- Receiving and unloading observations where welfare concerns occur
- Handling in holding, movement, and restraint
- Stunning method, equipment, and result
- Ineffective stun: immediate animal-welfare response, re-stun where performed, supervisor notification where required
- Slaughter session context (species, counts, lots where applicable)
What happens after an ineffective stun?
Take immediate animal-welfare response per your written program and MFS expectations — typically including effective re-stun and notification. Document the observation, immediate response, equipment involved, and follow-up corrective action where the program requires it. InspectionDay records these steps; it does not decide regulatory acceptability.
Common questions
- What records are required for slaughter?
- Depends on licence type and MFS sections applicable to your facility — commonly slaughter session records, humane handling/stunning events, traceability links, and corrective follow-up where issues occur.
Official sources
Reviewed against primary Ontario and Alberta government sources. InspectionDay does not determine regulatory compliance.
Meat Facility Standards, 2022
Source verified in dataset: 2026-08-10
View official sourceMeat Inspection Regulation (AR 42/2003)
Source verified in dataset: 2026-08-10
View official sourceGuidance for slaughter and meat processing operations
Source verified in dataset: 2026-08-10
View official source
Related guides
Explore InspectionDay for Alberta
Floor workflow for Alberta abattoir profiles.