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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchYes—some human pacemaker generators can be reused in veterinary care, but only when a veterinary cardiology service confirms that a specific device is compatible and suitable. The University of Georgia’s donation program began after cardiac nurse Terri Mattula asked whether her husband’s replaced, still-working pacemaker could help an animal. Its current acceptance rules are specific to UGA and may change, so donors should check the hospital’s official instructions before sending a device.
How a nurse’s experience started the program
Terri Mattula, a cardiovascular nurse, remembered the difficulty her family faced when her dog Gator needed treatment for third-degree heart block. Years later, when her husband, Robert Driver, had his pacemaker upgraded, she kept his two-year-old working generator rather than discard it. She contacted the University of Georgia (UGA) to ask whether it could be used for an animal.
That question led to a collaboration between Navicent Health and the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. UGA’s Fall 2018 account says the first shipment arrived on February 8, 2018: 27 explanted generators that Navicent had sterilized. At that time, UGA said it generally implanted five to ten pacemakers in dogs each year; four dogs had received donated devices by early fall 2018. Those are historical figures, not current program totals or inventory. UGA College of Veterinary Medicine’s Fall 2018 account
“The similarities between how animals and humans are treated for certain diseases are very strong,” Mattula said in that account. UGA veterinary cardiologist Gregg Rapaport described the idea as a way for a device that had benefited a person to benefit a dog as well. The initial process involved sterilizing devices before shipment. UGA’s current instructions differ: donors do not need to sterilize a device before it arrives.
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What heart problems can require a pacemaker?
A pacemaker is not a general-purpose treatment for heart disease. UGA describes its use in dogs and cats with symptoms caused by a very slow heart rate (symptomatic bradycardia) that has not responded to medical treatment. The device delivers electrical impulses to help the heart beat faster. Whether an animal needs one is a clinical decision for a veterinarian, typically involving a veterinary cardiologist. UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s pacemaker donation instructions
The implantation approach can depend on the animal’s size. UGA says implantation through an incision in the neck is used for all but the smallest dogs; very small dogs and cats may require a more invasive surgical approach. A human generator is not automatically appropriate simply because it can pace a heart: the clinical need, device function and compatibility must all be assessed.
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- CLEAR MESSAGE: Easy-to-read lettering and graphics help visitors, neighbors, delivery drivers, and passersby quickly understand the posted information.
- ALUMINUM MATERIAL: Made of quality aluminum metal with a non-reflective printed surface, suitable for everyday indoor or outdoor display.
- EASY MOUNTING: Features 4 pre-drilled holes for convenient installation on fences, gates, walls, posts, sheds, and other suitable surfaces.
- PRACTICAL SIGNAGE: Ideal for property notices, garden reminders, pet warnings, restricted areas, private property messages, entrance information, and general outdoor caution signs.
Gator’s heart block is part of Mattula’s reported personal story. A separate 2019 account described Agent Cooper, a husky–malamute mix who received a pacemaker in connection with thyroid cancer surgery and lived another three years. These individual stories illustrate why a device may matter, but they do not establish likely outcomes for other animals. Tech Times’ 2019 account
Can a human pacemaker be used in a dog or cat?
Sometimes. UGA accepts certain human pacemaker generators for possible veterinary use, but acceptance is not guaranteed and the rules below apply to UGA’s program—not every veterinary hospital. Its Cardiology Service evaluates a device after it arrives, including its battery life, functionality and compatibility.
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UGA’s currently listed device criteria
- Manufacturer: Boston Scientific, Medtronic or Abbott (St. Jude’s). UGA says it lacks programmers for other brands.
- Programming: The generator must be programmable as VVI or VVIR. UGA says this is typically a single- or dual-chamber generator.
- Device type: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) generators are not accepted.
- Battery: For a recently interrogated device, UGA ideally wants more than three years of battery life remaining. This is a preference, not a guarantee of acceptance.
- Condition: The generator should ideally be free of blood and tissue. Sterilization before arrival is not required.
These criteria are from UGA’s instructions posted in 2025. Check the current donation page before acting, since program requirements can change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to donate a used pacemaker to UGA
- Check the current eligibility rules. Confirm the manufacturer, VVI/VVIR capability and device type against UGA’s official instructions. Do not send an ICD generator.
- Complete the UGA Foundation Gift in Kind Form. The form is requested with the donated generator.
- Use the mailing details on UGA’s current page. Send the form and device to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Cardiology Service in Athens, Georgia. Consult the official instructions for the exact address and phone number rather than relying on copied details that may become outdated.
- Wait for the hospital’s evaluation. A UGA technician or clinician checks battery life, functionality and compatibility after receipt. If accepted, UGA says formal gift acknowledgement is sent in six to eight weeks. If the device is not accepted, UGA says it will dispose of it according to medical-device handling standards.
The early 2018 shipment was sterilized before it went to UGA, but that is not a current donor requirement. Follow the current instructions instead of preparing a device based on the historical process.
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- Two-part protective case made from a premium scratch-resistant polycarbonate shell and shock absorbent TPU liner protects against drops
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What donors and pet owners should know
- Donating does not guarantee a particular pet will receive the device. UGA makes the suitability decision after it evaluates the unit.
- Do not buy a human pacemaker for a pet. The program is for donation and specialist evaluation; retail purchase is not a substitute for veterinary care.
- Ask a veterinary cardiology service about treatment and cost. A 2019 story described pet pacemaker procedures as costing thousands of dollars, but that is not a current quote or price schedule. A clinic must provide a case-specific estimate.
- Consumer heart monitors do not pace the heart. They cannot replace an implanted pacemaker or a veterinary assessment.
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