Animal donation

At SWISSksulls, we are dedicated to the professional preparation of skulls and skeletons with the utmost respect for each individual animal. Our goal is to make biodiversity visible, experienceable, and understandable – for educational institutions, museums, zoos, institutes, and private individuals. To accomplish this work, we also rely on animal donations.

We are looking for deceased animals to professionally prepare them and make them useful for scientific, educational, or museum purposes. If you own a deceased animal or have found one, you can contact us. An animal donation is a valuable contribution to nature education and species understanding – and allows the animal to continue to have an impact beyond its death in a dignified setting.

Which animals do we accept?

Generally, we are interested in all animal species – from small rodents to exotic reptiles or birds. We are particularly looking for:

• Pets (e.g., guinea pigs, rabbits, ornamental birds, reptiles)

• Wild animals (e.g., martens, foxes, birds of prey – with a permit)

• Exotic animals from private keeping or animal parks

• Animals with rare characteristics (e.g., deformities, dental anomalies)

Please note: For protected species, we require a valid CITES or cantonal permit. If you do not have one, we can assist you with the application.

How does an animal donation work?

If you would like to donate an animal, please contact us beforehand – preferably by email or phone. We will clarify together whether the animal is suitable and what steps are necessary. The animals must be delivered or shipped frozen. We will gladly provide you with exact packaging and shipping instructions.

Alternatively, animals can also be dropped off directly with us by prior arrangement. We will issue you a written confirmation of the donation upon request.

Why animal donations are so important

Every prepared animal makes it possible to visualize anatomical features, study differences between species, and appreciate the uniqueness of each living creature. Schools, museums, universities, and natural history collections benefit from faithfully prepared exhibits that convey knowledge in a tangible and vivid way. In veterinary medicine and biology, prepared skulls and skeletons also contribute to education and research.

With your donation, you not only help to impart knowledge – you also contribute to the preservation and appreciation of biodiversity.

What happens to the donated animal?

Every animal is handled with the utmost care and respect by us. After preparation, it can either be included in our own collection or passed on to scientific institutions, museums, or teachers. Upon request, we can inform you about the subsequent use of the specimen.

If you wish, we can also prepare the animal only partially – e.g., only the skull – and return the rest or have it cremated. The decision is entirely yours.