This invention relates in general to a confining and restraining apparatus for livestock to facilitate their handling. The apparatus has an animal receiving stall having a frame, a base and a means for rotatably mounting the frame on the base. The animal receiving stall has opposed, entrance and exit openings, an entrance gate assembly is located at the entrance opening and fixed to one end of the base. The exit gate assembly is located at the exit opening and attached at one end of the frame, the exit gate assembly having a pair of stanchions which are adapted to capture a neck of an animal therebetween. The means for rotatably mounting the frame to the base allows rotation of the frame in both clockwise and counter clockwise directions around a vertical axis to position an animal in a selected treatment position.

A method of using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to guide a target includes receiving a location signal from one or more sensors of the UAV, receiving an input signal from a user device for guiding the target that defines at least one of a travel route, a permissible region, or an impermissible region, comparing the location signal to the input signal to determine whether the target is deviating from the travel route, exiting the permissible region, or entering the impermissible region, and initiating, via the UAV or an attachment mechanism coupled between the UAV and the target, a deterrent mechanism in response to determining that the target is deviating from the travel route, exiting the permissible region, or entering the impermissible region.

A method of using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to guide a target includes receiving a location signal from one or more sensors of the UAV, receiving an input signal from a user device for guiding the target that defines at least one of a travel route, a permissible region, or an impermissible region, comparing the location signal to the input signal to determine whether the target is deviating from the travel route, exiting the permissible region, or entering the impermissible region, and initiating, via the UAV or an attachment mechanism coupled between the UAV and the target, a deterrent mechanism in response to determining that the target is deviating from the travel route, exiting the permissible region, or entering the impermissible region.

Systems and method for optical imaging of an animal include a body conforming animal mold, which is shaped and sized to hold an animal in an immobilized and geometrically defined position and a gantry, which can include multiple optical mirrors to provide for simultaneous imaging of multiple different views of an animal within a body conforming animal mold.

Systems and method for optical imaging of an animal include a body conforming animal mold, which is shaped and sized to hold an animal in an immobilized and geometrically defined position and a gantry, which can include multiple optical mirrors to provide for simultaneous imaging of multiple different views of an animal within a body conforming animal mold.

A portable weighing unit (10) comprising a body having a pair of side walls (12, 14) and an end wall (13) defining a space for receiving an animal. A holder (17) mounted with respect to the body and configured to receive an enticement (18) for attracting an animal into the space. A reader (19) mounted with respect to the body and configured to read animal identification (ID) information provided on an ID tag of the animal. A platform (15) located within said space to receive the front feet of the animal and take a weight measurement of the front feet. A controller (20) for receiving the said weight measurement from the platform and the animal ID information from the reader and transmit them to a remote processor for processing wherein the processor is configured to convert the weight measurement of the front feet to a full body weight measurement for the animal.

A pet grooming station includes an electrically actuated separable coupler mechanically coupled between a tether point and a lead to a collar or a noose. At least one wired or wirelessly coupled pressure sensitive mat is adapted to sense a presence of a person or an animal on the at least one pressure sensitive mat. The electrically actuated separable coupler is in a coupled state when the pressure sensitive mat senses the presence of the person standing on the mat. Or, when the person is no longer standing on the mat, the electrically actuated separable coupler separates. The electronic controls of the station can be programmed to provide a predetermined or selectable time delay in a range of about 0 to 2 seconds before causing the electrically actuate separable coupler to separate. An upgrade kit or modification kit for existing pet grooming stations is also described.

A pet grooming station includes an electrically actuated separable coupler mechanically coupled between a tether point and a lead to a collar or a noose. At least one wired or wirelessly coupled pressure sensitive mat is adapted to sense a presence of a person or an animal on the at least one pressure sensitive mat. The electrically actuated separable coupler is in a coupled state when the pressure sensitive mat senses the presence of the person standing on the mat. Or, when the person is no longer standing on the mat, the electrically actuated separable coupler separates. The electronic controls of the station can be programmed to provide a predetermined or selectable time delay in a range of about 0 to 2 seconds before causing the electrically actuate separable coupler to separate. An upgrade kit or modification kit for existing pet grooming stations is also described.

A fully automated, sensor driven catch system for a livestock squeeze chute includes an elongated sensor support member mounted on the upper end of the squeeze chute which has first, second, third and fourth sensors mounted thereof. A fifth sensor is built into one of the head gate hydraulic cylinders. A sixth sensor is built into the hydraulic cylinder for controlling the side squeeze panels of the chute. A seventh sensor is built into one of the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the tail gate hydraulic cylinders. The sensors are connected to a control module which is connected to a hydraulic valve module. The sensors send signals to the control module which controls the hydraulic cylinder of the tail gate assembly, the side squeeze panels and the head gate assembly. The sensors sense the movement of the animal as it passes through the chute which in turn controls the hydraulic cylinders.

A transmitter sends a radio signal defining the boundary of an area, and at least one receiver worn on the animal includes stimulation applying means to apply stimulation to the animal. The receiver senses the radio signal sent from the transmitter and applies stimulation to the animal when the animal is determined to access the boundary of the particular area based on whether the radio signal is sensed or not. The transmitter and the receiver are configured to set a value of at least one of a stimulation intensity, a stimulation type, a stimulation applying mode to apply and an animal size, according to an animal wearing the receiver, via a direct interface between the transmitter and the receiver, not via the radio signal.