Denmark Asks to Donate Your Healthy Pets to Feed Predators

Aalborg Zoo in Denmark has made an unusual and somewhat surprising appeal to the public: they are asking for donations of healthy but unwanted pets. These include live chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even horses. The purpose? To feed their carnivorous animals, such as lions, tigers, and Eurasian lynx, while imitating the natural food chain.

Why Donate Pets to a Zoo?

The zoo explains that feeding their predators smaller livestock closely resembles the natural hunting behavior and diet these animals would have in the wild. This is especially important for species like the Eurasian lynx, which naturally prey on such animals.

“We aim to provide meat with fur and bones,” says Pia Nielsen, the zoo’s deputy director, “to give the carnivores as natural a diet as possible.”

How Does the Donation Process Work?

The zoo accepts these live animals on weekdays. People can donate up to four animals at a time without an appointment. Those interested in donating horses have to meet some specific requirements, including having a horse passport and ensuring the animal has not been treated for illness in the past 30 days.

An interesting benefit for horse owners: if they successfully donate their horses, they may be eligible for a tax deduction, which makes this a win-win situation for some.

The Ethics Behind the Practice

While the idea of donating healthy pets to be euthanized and fed to predators might raise eyebrows, the zoo assures that this practice is done responsibly and humanely. The animals are “gently euthanised” by trained staff before being fed to the carnivores.

This practice is quite common in Denmark and is appreciated by many visitors and partners who like the chance to contribute in a meaningful way.

Why This Matters for Zoo Animal Welfare

Feeding predators a natural diet that includes whole prey helps to maintain their physical and mental health. Providing meat with bones, fur, and other natural elements encourages natural behaviors and better nutrition than processed meats alone.

For the zoo, this means their big cats and lynx are living closer to how they would in the wild — an important factor in animal welfare and conservation efforts.

You might also want to read: German Circus Is Using 3D Holograms to End Animal Exploitation