Animal Welfare and Use of Animals

Arctic Direct takes the welfare of animals extremely seriously and expects our suppliers to do the same. Mistreatment of animals, pollution of the environment and disregard for employee safety is not acceptable to Arctic Direct. We visit all our suppliers on a regular basis to ensure we are happy with the standard of care received by the animals and that their treatment is consistently exceeding the standards we set for them. Our suppliers aim for the highest standards in all aspects of animal welfare. There are a number of suppliers who we do not work with as they do not adhere to our animal welfare requirements and we have not been happy with their treatment of their animals when we have visited them.

Animal Welfare;

Animal excursions should be operating legally and in accordance with the Supplier country’s own legal requirements. If appropriate to the country of operation, the animal excursion should have a valid operating licence issued by a recognised certification agency or relevant local authority.

The Supplier should ensure where the Customer is involved in excursions or activities involving, dogs, horses, reindeers or other animal that the Supplier provides a briefing to the Customer regarding the safety of the animal and the safety of the Customer ahead of an excursion or activity departure.

We only work with reputable, trusted suppliers and in conjunction with ABTA requirements, ensure our suppliers meet the following minimum requirements for feeding, enclosures, veterinary care, sedation/surgery, permits and records;

1. Good feeding: Absence of prolonged hunger. Absence of prolonged thirst

2. Good housing: Comfort while resting. Thermal comfort. Ease of movement

3. Good health: Absence of injuries. Absence of disease. Absence of pain induced by inappropriate management procedures.

4. Appropriate behaviour: Expression of social behaviours. Expression of natural behaviours. Good human-animal relationship. Positive emotional state

5. Protection from fear and distress: Absence of general fear/distress/apathy. Ability to seek privacy/refuge. Absence of surgical or physical modification of the skin, tissues, teeth or bone structure other than for the purposes of genuine medical treatment/ manipulation/sedation

Where working with animals, the husbandry techniques used are appropriate to the animals. For example it is not unusual for reindeer herders to use lasso. Techniques vary slightly depending on area and community.

Huskies are working animals and not house pets, it is not unusual that they sleep outside. Some sled dogs travel short distances, others travel mid to long distances whilst pulling much more weight and therefore they have to be very well trained, muscularly fit and of sufficient weight to guarantee their and your safety on the trails. All you have to do is watch the hook up and the excitement the dogs show to know they love doing what they were born to do which you’ll see when you visit our resorts.