Animal donation program

If you're facing the challenging experience of losing a beloved animal, we offer a body donation program to help the next generation of vets and the animals they look after.

A precious resource for the next generation of vets

The University of Melbourne's Animal Afterlife Donation Program ensures your pet has an enduring purpose after death – making a vital contribution to the training of skilled and compassionate veterinarians and further research into animal health and disease. You can honour their life by donating their body to support veterinary education in the Melbourne Veterinary School.

Our students and staff greatly appreciate the opportunities this program gives them, and treat all animals in our care with the utmost respect and dignity.

A woman on one knee, next door to an older black labrador

Frequently asked questions

  • Dogs, cats and pocket pets are all suitable for the donation program. Particularly cats and dogs under 25kg with expected disease processes and pathology.

    Occasionally we can accept livestock if this is planned and arranged prior to euthanasia. If this is something that you are interested in, please email, anat-vet@unimelb,edu.au to discuss.

    Please note: Once your pet is donated to the afterlife program, we cannot return their remains for home burial or private cremation. Ensure any pawprints or fur clipping mementos are collected prior to your pet being donated.

  • If you wish to donate your animal's body to the veterinary school:

    1. Reach out to your vet clinic and let them know you would like your pet to be donated to the University of Melbourne Veterinary School for teaching. 

      A CONSENT FORM will need to be completed with brief medical history of your pet. We need this medical history so we can offer the greatest educational benefit to our students.

    1. Ensure your pet has been frozen as soon as possible after death or euthanasia to ensure the best preservation of tissues.
    1. Ask your vet to label your pet with “Afterlife program” and request they contact us to arrange transport to the university. This can be done via email or phone 03 80012562 or anat-vet@unimelb.edu.au
    1. Edenhills crematorium will collect your pet from the vet clinic and transport them to the University of Melbourne Pathology team.
    1. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any reports or medical information following your donation.

  • Yes, you can follow the same steps above with any at home euthanasia service provider if they are able to keep your pet in cold storage following euthanasia. Or you can utilise the services of Rest Your Paws who regularly arrange donation of pets for clients that wish to do so.

    Rest Your Paws - Vet Suppliers Directory, Picture

    Rest Your Paws is a trusted provider for end-of-life veterinary care in the comfort of your home. If you want to learn more, need help making decisions, or need assistance when your regular clinic is closed, their team is available 7 days a week, 8am-11pm (AEST).

  • The body of your pet will be used in the veterinary teaching program and may have samples taken to be used in research or preserved for future teaching. After their use they will be respectfully placed into their own bag and collected by an external cremation service. Your pet with be communally cremated with other beloved pets and their ashes will be sprinkled in the bushland that surrounds the crematorium.

Further questions?

Only you can decide if our program is the best option for you and your animal, and we are happy to discuss this further with you; please email us on anat-vet@unimelb.edu.au. We understand what a difficult decision it is, and we are grateful for your forethought.