Please read this form in its entirety. It's important that you understand the process and expectations. Thank you!

It is the responsibility of every 4-H member to ensure that proper care is taken of their animal(s) according to acceptable methods of good animal husbandry, as set forth by Loudoun County 4-H. A healthy animal requires sufficient food, water, shelter, and appropriate health care.

The Loudoun County 4-H current project recommendation for primary care states that 4-H members will provide primary and continuous care for the health and welfare of their project animals. However, Loudoun’s evolving demographics create situations where 4-H members can’t access their project animal every day. Therefore, an exemption from primary care must be approved by the 4-H Club Leader(s) and 4-H Extension Agent. Each situation for exemption of primary care will be evaluated by the respective 4-H Club Leader(s), the caretaker of the property where the animal(s) will be kept and the 4-H Extension Agent.

Submission of this animal care declaration is required by all 4-H livestock project exhibitors each 4-H year, with the understanding that there is the potential for periodic in-person visitations by the Club Leader(s) and/or Extension staff, as necessary.

REMINDER: If your project animals are housed at a property other than your home residence (whether an ownership or non-ownership project), you need to send this separate link: https://tinyurl.com/4-HFarmerDeclaration24 to the farmer/caretaker of the property where your animals are kept. This will serve as their signature and has the same deadline as your form (see below).

DUE DATES (unless otherwise confirmed by a Club Leader or 4-H Staff):

January 1st:
Beef (Steers)

May 1st:
Beef (Heifers)
Alpaca/Llama
Swine

June 1st:
Goat
Guinea Pig
Poultry
Rabbit