What is an Animal or Livestock Appraisal?

By Tracy L. Dopko, Senior Animal/Livestock Appraiser


Whether for legal, financial, or personal reasons, there may come a time when you need to establish the Fair Market Value of an animal. A professional animal appraisal provides an independent, well-supported opinion of value for purposes such as insurance coverage and claims, charitable donations, estate settlements, divorce proceedings, taxation, litigation, and other legal matters. Each assignment includes a comprehensive appraisal report prepared to recognized professional standards.


The Appraisal Process
Animal appraisals are primarily developed using a comparable sales analysis, which compares the subject animal to similar animals that have sold in the marketplace within the same time-frame. Factors such as pedigree, age, training, performance, breeding potential, health, and market conditions are carefully analyzed to determine a well-supported Fair Market Value. Because animal values may fluctuate with economic conditions and industry trends, every appraisal reflects the market as of a specific effective valuation date.


What can affect your animal's value?

  • Physical traits such as age and conformation
  • Breed type and breed characteristics
  • Bloodlines
  • Disposition
  • Overall health and veterinary history
  • Accomplishments, including training and show records
  • Value and success of offspring
  • Current economic and marketing trends


Factors that do not affect your animal's value?

  • Emotional attachment
  • Perceived value
  • Direct or indirect costs of ownership maintenance, veterinary bills, and financial needs


The End Result
Each client receives a comprehensive, professionally prepared appraisal report that typically includes a detailed description of the animal, photographs, conformational analysis, pedigree and lineage information, show or performance records (where applicable), and supporting market data used to substantiate the valuation and appraisal conclusions.

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