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The disappearance of animals from cities over the course of the nineteenth century has often been interpreted as an integral part of the process of hygienising and sanitising the urban space. This issue was therefore a priori even more acute for social and health establishments such as hospices. Yet different categories of animals have been identified in the hospices of Brussels, including animals that were deemed ‘productive’ (cow, horse, pig) or ‘undesirable’ (pigeon, vermin), as well as ‘pets’ (dog, cat). However, the disappearance of these animals from these locations was not always related to hygienist principles. Via this detailed bestiary, animals and hospices – in the nineteenth century city – enlighten each other’s history...