Abstract: A method of washing animals prior to slaughter involves passing the animals 40 one after another through a race 10 having means 35 to apply a pressurized spray of a cleaning fluid to the animal at least in those areas where incisions will be made. The animal exits from the race into a holding pen before passing to a wash station to wash off the cleaning fluid. The fluid is a high pH dilute detergent solution and is supplied under pressure to a solenoid operated valve 65 and from there to spray bars 20, 21, 22, 30, 50 and 70 so that the spray continues so long as valve 65 is open. The presence of the animal 40 is detected by a flexible wand 60 switch which turns on or off the solenoid operated valve.