A Danish zoo is asking owners of companion animals nearing life’s end to instead donate them as food for captive lynxes, lions and other carnivores.

"We have a responsibility to imitate the natural food chain of the animals - in terms of both animal welfare and professional integrity," Aalborg Zoo says.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- A zoo in Denmark is asking for donations of small pets as food for its predators. The Aalborg zoo said it is trying to mimic the natural food chain of the animals housed there “for the sake of both animal welfare and professional integrity” and offers assurances the pets will be “gently euthanized” by trained staff.