Zoo Encourages Public to Donate Unwanted Pets to Help Feed Resident Animals

A zoo in Denmark is turning to the public for help feeding its carnivorous residents—and it’s hoping that some locals might be willing to part with their small pets in the process.

On July 31, the Aalborg Zoo in northern Denmark posted a call for donations on its Facebook page, inviting community members to contribute “small pets” as a food source for the zoo’s predators.

In the translated post, the zoo explained that animals like chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs make up a vital portion of the diet for larger species such as the European lynx. The zoo emphasized that the lynx, in particular, needs prey that closely mimics what it would naturally hunt in the wild.

“In zoos, we have a responsibility to imitate the animals’ natural food chain — for reasons of both animal welfare and professional integrity,” the post read. The zoo added that if anyone has an animal that “needs to leave here for various reasons,” they’re welcome to donate it.

According to the zoo, trained staff will euthanize the animals humanely before using them as feed, ensuring that “nothing goes to waste” and that the predators’ “natural behavior, nutrition, and well-being” are supported.

Beyond small pets, the zoo also accepts horses under specific conditions, as outlined on its website. Donated horses must be no taller than 147 cm at the withers, healthy for at least 30 days prior, and accompanied by a horse passport. Those who meet the criteria may be eligible for a tax deduction based on the horse’s value.

For smaller animals, donations are accepted on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. local time, with a limit of four animals per visit.

The Facebook post sparked a variety of reactions from locals, including some light-hearted comments. One person jokingly asked if the zoo accepts children “if you’ve grown tired of them.”

The zoo responded with humor, saying, “Your children are very welcome at the zoo, but not as food… here we only accept animals with feathers or fur,” and added that a few hours at the zoo “always makes for happy children.”

Pia Nielsen, deputy director of the Aalborg Zoo, told The Guardian that the practice of feeding predators with small livestock has been in place for years. She explained that animals with fur and bones provide the most natural and beneficial diet for their carnivores.

“Therefore, it makes sense to allow animals that need to be euthanized for various reasons to be of use in this way,” Nielsen said. “In Denmark, this practice is common, and many of our guests and partners appreciate the opportunity to contribute.”