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, tangible, and understandable – for educational institutions, museums, zoos, institutes, and private individuals. To be able to carry out this work, we also rely on animal donations .

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

Which animals do we accept?

We are generally interested in all animal species—from small rodents to exotic reptiles and birds. We are particularly interested in:

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

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

• Exotic animals from private ownership or zoos

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

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

How does animal donation work?

If you would like to donate an animal, please contact us in advance – preferably by email or phone. Together we will determine whether the animal is suitable and what steps are necessary. Animals must be delivered or shipped frozen . We will be happy to provide you with detailed packaging and shipping instructions.

Alternatively, animals can be donated directly to us by arrangement. Upon request, we will provide you with a written confirmation of the donation.

Why animal donations are so important

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

With your donation, you are not only helping to impart knowledge – you are also contributing to the preservation and appreciation of biodiversity.

What happens to the donated animal?

We treat each animal with the utmost care and respect. After preparation, it can either be added to our own collection or donated to scientific institutions, museums, or teachers. Upon request, we will inform you about the specimen's future use.

If you prefer, we can also prepare only part of the animal—e.g., just the skull—and return the rest or have it cremated. The decision is entirely yours.