Hanor swine vet: Food animals deserve the same care and treatment as pets

Pigs are “very cool” animals — they’re all curious and very friendly from the time they’re baby pigs to sows and boars, explains Tara Donovan, DVM, company veterinarian for Hanor Company.

“The pigs we care for will be food, but we don’t care for them any less,” she explains in a video produced as part of the Vets on Call series. “The food-animal vet has a responsibility to the animal and the consumer.”

All employees in the Hanor system participate in a well-animal training program during their first 90 days on the job, she explains.

“As a mom, I’m concerned about what my kids are eating,” Donovan shares. “I think we do a great job of raising safe, wholesome pork and we need to be proud of it.”

As she drives to one of the company’s farms, Donovan explains that confinement barns might not look as friendly as the big red barn most people think of but the conditions inside are much better for the pigs.

Inside, Donovan checks young pigs that have just been weaned and are placed in the nursery barn where it’s a warm 80° F even though the temperature is below zero outdoors.

“It’s really important that we make sure they’re eating and drinking and feeling well. This is the biggest transition time in their life,” Donovan explains.

“Our goal is to make sure that all pigs receive the best care every day,” Donovan stresses. “The people working in the pig barns really care, and it shows in the attention that they give to the animals.”

Vets on Call is a video series presented by Zoetis to showcase the important roles veterinarians play in food-animal production.

Watch part 2: