22/06/2026
IT IS SIMPLY NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO JUST HAVE AIRCON, AIRFLOW IS ALSO REQUIRED SO THE HOT AIR IS REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH COOL AIR!
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Blanket document sent by APHA/DEFRA to ALL authorised transporters
Hot weather guidance for transporters and organisers of live animal transport by road
Exposure to high temperatures and humidity is a major threat to animal welfare during transport. Failure to take account of high temperatures can cause suffering to animals and, in the worst-case scenario, DEATH!
Humidity can significantly increase the adverse effects of high temperatures on animals and cause greater suffering. One of the several mechanisms that animals use to cool themselves in hot weather is the loss of water vapour by sweating or panting. In high humidity, the loss of water vapour is reduced. In conditions of both high temperature and high humidity, animals may be subject to further heat stress.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED VEHICLE! 🚗
YOU SHOULD NOT!
Transport animals in temperatures over 30°C
check the ‘feels like’ temperature for the intended route if humidity is high.
Actions to take:.
Planning (all species):
avoid travelling in the hotter parts of the day
travel early in the morning or overnight where possible
park in the shade whenever possible.
Contingency plans:
should be in place for every journey and are particularly important in hot conditions as delays can become critical very quickly.
drivers must be familiar with and able to implement contingency plans which should detail who to contact in an emergency, where to obtain water, location of emergency facilities to offload, recognition of signs of heat stress and
appropriate action to be taken including access to veterinary support if required.
Vehicle requirements (all species):
Ventilation systems must be fully functioning
Watering systems must be fully functioning, and enough water carried on the vehicle for the number of animals being transported and the length of the journey
If fitted, the vehicle temperature monitoring system must be fully functioning and checked regularly during the journey to ensure temperature is being maintained at a level suitable for the species being transported. Where the alert system issues a warning, the driver must take immediate action to safeguard animal welfare.
On the journey (all species):
inspect animals more frequently for signs of heat stress and know what emergency action to take if necessary
provide water or electrolyte solutions more frequently
minimise the time spent on the trailer.
It is the responsibility of authorised transporters to ensure that any compromise to welfare is minimised and that unnecessary suffering does not occur.
Where incidents of unnecessary suffering caused by transporting animals in extreme weather are identified, APHA will take appropriate regulatory action which may include the suspension of transporter authorisations. The Local Authority will be notified and will consider any appropriate enforcement action.
Information is also available on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/keeping-farm-animals-and-horses-in-extreme-weather or if you live in Wales https://www.gov.wales/caring-farm-animals-and-horses-extreme-weather #106842
Our Temperature control in high heat @ https://dog-transport.co.uk looks like this.
Perfect temperature on a hot day
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