What should you do first when lifting an animal?

Lifting an animal safely is crucial for both the handler and the animal itself. The first step should be to ensure proper body mechanics by bending your knees and keeping your back straight. This technique helps prevent injury to the handler by reducing strain on the back. Proper lifting stance allows you to use the strength of your legs rather than your back, which is vital, especially when dealing with larger or more aggressive animals that might require a significant amount of effort to lift.

In addition to preventing personal injury, maintaining correct posture and technique while lifting can also help you maintain better control of the animal, which is particularly important if it is distressed or uncooperative. Ensuring safety in this manner lays the foundation for any further actions, such as assessing the animal's behavior or using tools for handling, which are important but come after proper positioning for lifting.