Goat meat (chevon and cabrito) production is growing globally. Welfare standards for meat goats are less developed than for dairy or sheep, requiring greater attention as production scales.
Meat goat welfare deserves attention proportional to the billions of goats raised globally, yet has received little regulatory or research attention compared to more commercially prominent species. Goats are highly social and suffer from isolation. Their intelligence means barren environments cause boredom and frustration. Kid rearing for slaughter involves early separation and transport that cause significant stress. Religious festival slaughter periods create acute welfare challenges when large numbers of untrained individuals attempt home slaughter without pre-stunning. Developing welfare standards for meat goat production requires culturally sensitive approaches given the diverse religious and cultural contexts of goat consumption globally.