When faced with the loss of your pet and euthanasia is your only option, consider the renewed health other animals may gain through tissue transplant.

Advances in medical technology have allowed transplanted tissues to restore many animals to good health. Your choice to donate useful transplant tissues helps make this possible.

Great strides have been made in organ and tissue transplant for animals. Transplant grafts are now preferred for treating a variety of disorders. Fractured or diseased bones can be mended and limbs spared from amputation. Deformed or degenerative joints can be repaired and blindness for some pets can be prevented.

Find comfort in knowing that many pets can benefit through your decision to participate in our donor program. Talk with your veterinarian and family.

Donors are young to middle-age adults who are vaccinated and in generally good health. Typically, donors in our program are animals that have been euthanized for irreparable trauma, intractable aggression, or chronic pain. Your veterinarian can evaluate your pet's condition and discuss donor criteria in more detail with you.

To authorize donation of tissues to the veterinary tissue bank you must sign a consent form. After euthanasia, your pet is placed in the care of Veterinary Transplant Services and is treated at all times with care and respect. Tissues are recovered only after the time of death so there is no discomfort or pain. If you wish to have a private cremation for your pet, VTS can arrange for this service and ensure the ashes are returned to you.

All costs for tissue recovery are paid for by VTS. There is no cost to the family for these services.

Please call toll-free, 1-800-558-5223, to speak to a VTS representative about your donation.


Pet Loss Support Links
Pet Loss Hotline at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Seattle Humane Society Pet Loss Support Group