WINDHOEK – The welfare of animals is just as important as their health, and the two aspects cannot be separated from each other. An animal’s condition of welfare is good if it is healthy, has enough to eat and to drink, is safe, is allowed to practice normal behaviour and is free from pain and fear. But all mammals have the ability to experience pain; therefore it is important to take cognisance that cattle, sheep and goats of all ages can be in pain without showing any signs thereof. Pain research has shown that control of pain prior to routine procedures such as castration, dehorning and removal of the tail holds enormous advantages by proving that animals that received pain medication prior to these procedures, returned to their normal eating habits sooner and therefore showed a higher daily growth than animals that did not receive pain medication. It is therefore clear that control of pain is not only sound agricultural practice, but also holds financial value for producers who carry out their responsibility regarding the welfare of the animals in their care. Producers are advised to contact their nearest veterinarian in this regard.