We receive requests to take cats, dogs and horses (and other pets) for the benefits of teaching undergraduate students (to include postmortem examination and/or for teaching anatomy) and potentially for collecting samples for research (subject to owner permission).

All enquiries about such potential donations should be sent to the following email address (we will reply as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours on work days) PMServices@bristol.ac.uk

Factors that we need to consider include

1. The animal’s attending vet will need to complete an online PM submission form so that we can document that permission is given for use for teaching purposes (also to include collecting samples for research purposes). The form can be found on the BVS website here
2. The examination/dissection will be carried out by our students and supervising staff as a teaching exercise.
3. We will not provide a postmortem report to the owner or veterinary practice.
4. To help our students interpret what they see, ideally we would like to receive a brief clinical history for the animal.
5. We cannot accept animals that are suspected to have (or known to have) a significant zoonotic infection (i.e. diseases that can be transmitted to humans such as Tb).
6. Similarly, we cannot accept animals that have had any chemotherapy agents/drugs within the previous 30 days prior to death.
7. We cannot collect the animal from off the Langford site. The owner will need to arrange for delivery of the animal to the Brinsea Building/PM room at Langford.
8. We cannot euthanise a live animal delivered to the site for PM examination.
9. Individual cremation after the postmortem examination can be arranged. The costs of cremation and return of the ashes to the local practice must be covered by the owner.

All animals submitted will be treated with the care and respect they deserve. We appreciate your contribution to our students’ training and look forward to discussing your enquiry.

22/06/2021