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Zoo asks for unwanted pets to feed to big cats

Teacher note: This lesson includes references to feeding unwanted pets to zoo animals.
Some learners may find this topic upsetting. Please review carefully before using in class.

Zoo Pet Food - Level 4

A Danish zoo made an unusual request. It asked pet owners to donate unwanted pets, like guinea pigs, rabbits, and even horses. They will be food for the zoo's big cats and other predators. The zoo wants "to imitate the natural food chain of the animals". Using unwanted small creatures means "nothing goes to waste. The zoo added: "We ensure the natural behaviour, nutrition and well-being of our predators." It said all pets would be "gently euthanized".

The zoo said putting down animals for use as feed was common. It said: "Our…guests appreciate the opportunity to contribute." Regardless, there has been mixed reaction online. Some people felt sad. However, a man who donated his horse was satisfied with its treatment. He said his pet was put down peacefully. There is so much interest in donating that there are waiting lists for horses. Donors can get a tax deduction based on their animal's value.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Zoo Pet Food - Level 5

A Danish zoo has made an unusual request. It asked pet owners to donate unwanted pets, such as chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, and even small horses. These will not be exhibited in the zoo. Instead, they will be food for the resident big cats and other predators. The zoo wants "to imitate the natural food chain of the animals". Using the unwanted small creatures as food means "nothing goes to waste. The zoo added: "We ensure the natural behaviour, nutrition and well-being of our predators." It assured owners that pets would be "gently euthanized" before becoming food.

The zoo said putting down animals for use as feed was common in Denmark. The zoo's deputy director said: "Our guests and partners appreciate the opportunity to contribute." Regardless, there has been mixed reaction on social media. Some people felt sad about the euthanasia scheme. However, a man who donated a horse was satisfied with its treatment. He said his pet was put down "in the most peaceful and calm way". There is so much interest in donating that there are waiting lists for horses. Donors can even get a tax deduction based on their animal's value.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Zoo Pet Food - Level 6

A zoo in Denmark has made an unusual request to pet owners. The Aalborg Zoo in the north of the country has asked people to donate unwanted pets, such as chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, and small horses. These will not be exhibited as part of the zoo's collection. Instead, they will become food for the resident big cats and other predators. The zoo is attempting "to imitate the natural food chain of the animals". It added that using the unwanted small creatures as food is practical because "nothing goes to waste, and we ensure the natural behaviour, nutrition and well-being of our predators". It reassured people that the donated pets will be "gently euthanized" before being fed to other animals.

The zoo said that the practice of putting down animals to be used as feed was common in Denmark. Pia Nielsen, deputy director of the zoo, said: "Many of our guests and partners appreciate the opportunity to contribute." Regardless, there has been mixed reaction on social media. Some people felt sad about the euthanasia scheme, and wanted to protest. However, a man who donated a horse to the zoo was satisfied with its treatment. He said his animal was put down "in the most peaceful and calm way". There is so much interest in helping the zoo that there are waiting lists to donate horses. Donors can even receive a tax deduction based on the animal's value.

SPEED READING

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson