In countries where the Zakat Foundation of America has regional offices, like Bangladesh, Ghana, Jordan, and others, animals are purchased before Eid ul-Adha to ensure the best prices and the first pick of sheep, lambs, and cows. The animals are fed and treated with gentle, humane husbandry.
In other countries, the Zakat Foundation of America partner organizations purchases the animals on our behalf. Under the supervision of a Zakat Foundation of America representative, the animals are kept in healthy, humane conditions in preparation for sacrifice.
The animals chosen and distributed are of the best quality available, in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), to give in charity from the best of one’s belongings and to give to others what you would wish for yourself. Zakat Foundation of America supports the local economy of the countries by buying livestock and feed from local farmers. This ensures a fair return for the farmers as well as better and familiar quality meat for recipients. Even in regions like Lebanon (for Palestinian refugees), Zakat Foundation of America offers the local sheep and lamb, known to be fatty and have a better taste than the imported New Zealand sheep and lamb.