About this course: 

This course is an in-depth exploration of animal welfare at the time of slaughter.

We will explore what we mean by animal welfare dring this challenging time for animals and how good welfare can be maintained by following humane principles.

There are three "activity areas" to complete: 1. The learner survey, 2. The full course programme and 3. A feedback survey. 

Who is this course for?

• Abbatoir workwers
• Animal transporters
• Animal welfare officers
• Farmers and stock people
• Smallholders and animal keepers
• Knackery workers
• Market and livestock mart workers
• Animal rescue personnel
• Animal welfare officers
• Inspectorate and government workers
• Veterinary professionals
• Students
• Anybody with an interest in animal welfare
• Other professionals in the livestock production chain

Course content

The course cover several modules and within these modules there a series of short lessons. 

There is also a welcome lesson, a summary, course completion and various knowledge checker quizzes throughout the lessons.

There are videos embedded in the lessons to watch and you can return to these at anytime to rewatch again. There are also external links to follow.

You need to complete all activities to get your Certificate of Completion at the end.

 

Your new skills

In this course you will learn:

1. How good welfare can be maintained by following humane principles.
2. Reasons to maintain welfare standards up to the point of death.
3. How animals are protected at slaughter with an overview of legislation and enforcement processes.
4. Physiological processes such as brain functionality and what leads to death.
5. What effective stunning is for different methods and species

 

When can I start?

As soon as th course is ready it will become available to enrol onto. This online course is self-paced, which means you can start it anytime and go through the material at your own speed. You can start and stop at any time. The course will resume where you left off the next time you log in.

What do I need to start the course?

To start the course, you'll need internet access and a mobile, laptop, computer, or tablet. This course is designed for mobile devices and laptops. Use Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari for the best results.

Will there be an assessment?

No. there is no final assessment for this course. There are knowledge checker quizzes in the lessons to help reinforce what you have learned in the module. These can be retaken multiple times and do not count towards your successful completion of the lessons. They are just for fun!

Do I get a certificate?

Yes. Once you complete all of the lessons within the module or course and the feedback survey you will receive a certificate of completion that you can download. This can be found in your “Achievements” area of the learner area.

The certificate lasts for 3 years.

How to cite this course.

If you need to reference this course please use the following citation:

Humane Slaughter Association (2026). Animal welfare at slaughter [Online course]. https://www.hsa.org.uk/

General notice:

In order to safeguard the welfare of the animals at the time of stunning and killing, it is necessary for the course to be both thorough and illustrated. As such, some people may find some of the descriptions and graphics upsetting.  
Please do not continue further or view the video clips if you feel you may be negatively affected by the content. 

DISCLAIMER: 

Stunning equipment is potentially lethal and dangerous for the operator. If you are in doubt as to any aspect of the operation of the equipment you are using, you should consult the manufacturer.  

In no circumstances can the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) accept any liability for the way in which stunning equipment is used, or any loss, damage, injury or death caused thereby, since this depends on circumstances wholly outside the HSA’s control.

HSA take no responsibility for the content of external sites linked to in this course