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When a beloved pet reaches the end of their life pet owners have a few choices for how they want to mark their passing. For some families this can include giving their pet’s life further meaning, purpose and value through donation of their body to support teaching and research programmes for veterinary students and veterinarians.

Throughout our pets’ lives we rely on a vet’s knowledge and expertise to keep our animals healthy and comfortable. Just as medical schools use human cadavers for teaching and research, veterinary schools rely on animal cadavers for teaching students about anatomy and the clinical skills they need to master to become, and remain competent health professionals as well as advance science.

The ÌÇÐÄvlogÊÓƵ, via its teaching hospitals, is committed to producing highly skilled, compassionate professionals who are able to ensure the best quality of care for generations of animals to come. We know that despite modern advances in technology, practical experience with animal cadavers remains an essential educational tool. Without access to cadavers, it is nearly impossible for a veterinary student to fully comprehend the structure of the animal’s body, to practice surgical skills safely, to allow our researchers to gain a deeper understanding of diseases and to allow graduate veterinarians to develop and refine their surgical skills. Undoubtedly, every animal that is used for these essential educational activities enhances the welfare of animals under the care of veterinarians and enriches society.

Following the example of body donation programmes in human medical schools and feedback from our clients, we have established the RVC Educational Memorial Programme (EMP) which is an option you may consider at the end of your pet’s life.

Dignity and respect for your pet

We treat each donor with utmost respect when used to advance academic and research endeavours. In recognition of this invaluable contribution to the future of veterinary medicine, each animal will have their name engraved onto a leaf which is then displayed in either our memorial gardens within the Hawkshead Campus or placed onto our memory tribute in the Camden Campus.

How to donate

We have taken careful consideration to ensure that the process of donation is very simple for our owners, so if you are considering the possibility of taking part in this immensely worthwhile programme there is some important information, we would like you to understand:

In choosing to partner with our Educational Memorial Programme, you will be asked to sign a donation form so that we can enrol your pet into the programme. Donated cadavers are then carefully prepared and stored until matched with the most worthwhile use, based on the animal’s conformation and any underlying disease.

Once the teaching or research procedures on your pet’s body are complete, the remains will be cremated or preserved anonymously, as a legacy for many years of future learning. When making your decision, please be aware that the University will not be able to provide any information to you, or to your vet with regards to what teaching and/or research work your pet contributed to, nor the results of any post-mortem examination.

The Educational Memorial Programme will take responsibility for coordination and transport from the veterinary practice and the cremation of your pet’s remains. Unfortunately, we are unable to return the ashes of your much-loved pet to you, instead we will honour and recognise the families that dedicate their beloved pet for the advancement of medical science, and we will communicate with you how we will publicly remember your donation.

What is the selection criteria for this scheme?

At this time, we are only able to accept animals on to the RVC Educational Memorial Programme that are over the age of six months and have passed away in either our Queen Mother Hospital in Hertfordshire, the Beaumont-Sainsbury Animal Hospital in London or selected local vet practices.

Due to Health and Safety reasons, we are unable to accept animals that

• have recently received chemotherapy treatment
• have died of an infectious disease
• have any risk of Brucella Canis due to their travel history
• are over the weight of 30kgs

if these restrictions apply to your pet, we are very grateful for your interest - you may wish to consider an alternative memorial legacy via our charity - RVC Animal Care Trust 

Contact details

For more information, please contact the Educational Memorial Program Administrator
Email emp@rvc.ac.uk