Over 1 billion goats are farmed globally, with South Asia — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh — accounting for a large share. Welfare at slaughter is particularly variable, with religious slaughter practices, informal slaughter facilities, and limited veterinary oversight creating significant welfare risks.
Goat welfare at slaughter in informal systems is poorly monitored. Long-distance transport without access to water, food, or adequate space causes dehydration, exhaustion, and injury. At slaughter, goats subjected to restraint without prior stunning show elevated heart rate, vocalisation, and struggling — clear indicators of pain and fear. Halal slaughter without pre-stunning causes a period of consciousness after throat cutting during which goats show pain responses. Welfare improvements include mandatory pre-slaughter watering and feeding breaks, training in low-stress restraint, and advocacy for pre-slaughter stunning adoption. Community-based welfare education programs have shown measurable improvements in handling practices.