Facility in Hahira, Ga., Recognized for Humane Treatment

DENVER, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Acres of pasture, a large lake and homegrown hay are just part of the natural environment in which Hound River Farm sheep are raised. These indications of humane treatment of the animals and meeting all of the standards for certification helped the farm achieve distinction as the nation's first sheep farm to become American Humane Certified.

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The American Humane Certified farm animal program provides independent verification that livestock and poultry are raised humanely, in accordance with science-based animal welfare standards set forth by American Humane and its independent Scientific Advisory Council. Among other aspects, producers certified through American Humane's program must ensure that their animals have ready access to fresh water, a nutritious diet, medical care and are handled by trained caregivers. They also must provide their animals with a comfortable environment that limits stress and enables them to freely express their normal behaviors.

Hound River Farm, a family-owned Katahdin meat sheep business in south Georgia, sells fresh and frozen lamb processed at Towson Cold Storage under the Hound River Farm label. The sheep and lambs graze freely in a predator-protected environment -- no feedlots or artificial feeding methods are used. The sheep have constant access to well-managed pastures, supplemented, as needed, with hay grown on-site.

For more information about Hound River Farm, go to www.houndriverfarm.com. For more information about American Humane Certified, visit www.americanhumane.org/certified.

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit membership organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link(R) between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane's regional office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the "No Animals Were Harmed"(R) end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane's office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America's "Best in America" Seal of Approval, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's leading charity evaluator. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

SOURCE American Humane Association