Deceased pets can now be donated nationally
5 years agoThe animal donor codicil will expand throughout the Netherlands. Owners donate their deceased pet to science through the animal donor codicil. This makes anatomical education free from animal experiments. Until now, donating pets was limited to regions around Utrecht. Stichting Proefdiervrij has entered into a partnership with Stichting DierenLot for the expansion.
The purpose of the animal donor codicil is to make and keep the anatomical and surgical education at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University completely animal-free. By providing this education on deceased pets, it is no longer necessary to breed and kill animals especially for this purpose.
Donating a pet is free of charge
Owners can present their deceased pet free of charge at affiliated veterinary practices. They investigate whether the animals are suitable for donation. The university arranges transport from the clinic to Utrecht. Until now, this was limited to regions in the centre of the country. Thanks to the collaboration with Stichting DierenLot, practices from all over the Netherlands can now join the animal donor codicil. The aim is that ambulances of the Stichting Dierenlot transport the deceased animals to Utrecht.
There are no costs involved for either donors or affiliated clinics. Stichting Proefdiervrij (Dutch Society for the Replacement of Animal Testing) and Utrecht University are funding this project.
Hundreds of donated pets per year
Since the start of the animal donor codicil project, which was created in 2010 at the initiative of Stichting Proefdiervrij, approximately 250 animals are donated annually, mainly dogs and cats. With the arrival of the animal donor codicil, anatomical and surgical education in Utrecht is completely animal-free. Guinea pigs and rabbits are also welcome as donated animals.
Saskia Aan, employee of Stichting Proefdiervrij explains why, despite this success, we have now opted for further expansion: "The number of animals that we now collect is just enough and we want to prevent a shortage that prevents veterinarians from being trained properly. We want to offer pet owners across the country the opportunity to participate in the animal donor scheme. ”
Piet Hellemans, veterinarian and ambassador of Stichting DierenLot, emphasizes the necessity of donated animals: "Real animals must be studied for veterinary training. For example, by using deceased pets, no dogs need to be bred for this."
Source: https://www.uu.nl/nieuws/overleden-huisdieren-doneren-nu-landelijk-mogelijk (in Dutch)