Wool sheep require annual shearing to prevent welfare problems from wool overgrowth. However, shearing practices themselves carry welfare risks if done poorly.
Shearing causes acute stress even when performed skillfully: restraint, handling, noise, and the process itself are aversive. Evidence shows cortisol spikes during shearing that normalize within hours. Poor shearing technique causes cuts and wounds that can become infected. Mulesing causes significant acute pain — alternatives including wool-shedding genetics and targeted jetting are increasingly available but not yet widely adopted. High welfare shearing uses skilled operators, appropriate restraint aids, and prompt wound treatment.