Note: Be sure to keep it from freezing and thawing multiple times. This can cause hair slippage.

MATERIALS

• Frozen ice packs (disposable or reusable)
• Absorbent materials (such as paper towels, pee pads, or old towels)
• 3 ziplock bags
• Grocery bags
• 1 garbage or lawn bag
• Cardboard box
• Tape
• Marker

SHIPPING STEPS

1) Freeze the specimen for at least 48 hours prior to packaging.
2) Triple bag your specimen with zip lock bags. Place in a plastic grocery bag. Securely tie up the bag.
3) Inside a second plastic bag place absorbent material (such as paper towels, pee pads, or old towels), then place your bagged pet inside this second bag with the absorbent material on the bottom. Securely tie up the bag.
4) Place a garbage/lawn back into a box and place a few ice packs inside the bottom of the garbage bag. Put the wrapped specimen on top of the ice packs. Pad this bag by placing crumpled bags/newspaper/etc around it to keep from getting crushed. Securely tie up the final bag.
5) Tape up the box. Draw arrows pointing “up” on the sides and write “Perishable”.
6) Ship via UPS, USPS, or FedEx. When speaking with the shipping employee, avoid saying that you are shipping “a deceased animal”. Instead, when you are asked “what is in the box?” we recommend saying: “Animal diagnostic specimens” or “Frozen items that are ok if they thaw a little”.

NOTES

• Dry ice is not necessary.
• Simple fiberglass insulation can be very effective in keeping the piece frozen solid for even a week.
• Smaller specimens do not need to be priority shipped. Ground will suffice.
• Items do not need to be frozen when they arrive.
• Do not let your package leak. Leaking packages could be confiscated and destroyed by the shipper.
• Do not use ice cubes or frozen bags of water.
• Don’t ship toward the end of the week for it may just sit on a Sunday.
• Do not request a signature upon delivery.