# AnimalTrakker® Philosophy The purpose of the [[AnimalTrakker® System]] is to provide software and data analysis tools to aid in the management of livestock. We support all those who own or care for livestock in their quest to provide animals with healthy, comfortable lives as they harvest food, fiber, and other products for human use. We started [[Start Here|AnimalTrakker®]] as an outgrowth of our original [[AnimalTrakker® FAQs#What Is LambTracker®?|LambTracker®]] program, so most of our examples feature sheep. However, AnimalTrakker® can track multiple species of domestic farm animals, including sheep, goats, cattle, horses, donkeys and pigs. ## The Goals of AnimalTrakker® The goals behind AnimalTrakker® (and its precursor LambTracker®) haven't changed since its inception, even as the system itself has grown and evolved. The program was created with three different types of users in mind: **livestock owners**, **breed registrars**, and **veterinarians**. That being said, we believe **everyone** should be able to use our program to store and access the information they need. Our goal is to create an [open-source](https://animaltrakker.com/2024/12/25/our-christmas-present-to-you-the-importance-of-being-open-source/) program that people can use to manage their animals **for free**. Your data is [[AnimalTrakker® FAQs#How Do You Make Money?|never reported or sold]]. We have no shareholders or investors to please, so the interests of AnimalTrakker® will always rest squarely with the people who use it. Moreover, AnimalTrakker® was created by (and is run by) shepherds. Our features are designed and implemented exclusively to make life easier for our users. We also want to provide data that helps farmers maintain genetic diversity in rare breeds. As [[AnimalTrakker® Registry Web Overview#American Black, Chocolate and White Welsh Mountain Sheep Associations|rare breed stewards ourselves]], the conservation of rare and threatened livestock breeds remains close at heart for us. AnimalTrakker® supports regulatory rules and collects required documentation according to current US and Canadian standards for the treatment and movement of animals. ## Our Principles at AnimalTrakker® We have a few principles and rules that we hold to as stewards, shepherds, and programmers. They are the following: **Open Source and No Charge:** our software packages are, and will always be, open-source and free. The code is transparent so that it can be independently audited. We feel strongly that every user should be able to edit and modify the software to suit their specific needs. We will never charge for AnimalTrakker® software as deployed, but we may charge for customization. Eventually, any custom changes will be rolled into the free, base software available to all. **Local First:** files are always local to your own machines. By default, the only remote data is contained on a server for access by [[AnimalTrakker® Registry Web Overview|remote registry members]]. This data is nothing more than a copy of the real data that is maintained on your local machine. We're always focused on maintaining the individual privacy of data in the AnimalTrakker® system. **No Code Survives First Contact With the Sheep:** no matter how much it works in the office, the first time we try it in the field, we *will* discover issues. This is a good thing - sheep happens! **Ready, Fire, Aim:** we've implemented a culture of continuous improvement that gets solutions in the hands of users quickly. Their experiences and needs drive the development of AnimalTrakker®. We're open to changing things as required to solve problems or improve our user experience. We've always focused on getting something out there that can accomplish the task - no matter how rudimentary - in order to collect data on what works and what doesn't. Our customers often do not know what they really want or need until they see something in action, so trying it out often lends actionable results. [Our own flock](https://desertweyr.com/) serves as an alpha test for all code. We see bugs and even major use changes as not only a good thing, but a driving force behind making our releases ever more stable and useful. **Ugly, but Effective:** codes and procedures may not be pretty at first. We're more concerned with making things happen than how things look. Our users often have little concern for how pretty the app looks and have no clue about the code running behind the scenes. However, they always have a problem to solve, and solving that problem is the most important task. We prioritize solutions over elegance, though visual improvements always come later. ## Help Us Make AnimalTrakker® Better Want to help us bring more features to AnimalTrakker®? All AnimalTrakker® programs are open-source and available via [GitLab download](https://gitlab.com/animaltrakker_system). If you'd like to work with us on the programming side of things, contact us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). If you don't have the time, expertise, or desire to code with us, consider making a donation. It's never required, but always appreciated. Making a donation is also a fantastic way to get features that you need added to AnimalTrakker® faster.