The present invention comprises a method for processing animals for slaughter, the method having the following steps: providing a stunned or dead animal for slaughter, the body of which has at least one marking, and cleaning and dehairing the body, wherein the at least one marking has been made by means of a radiation source for electromagnetic radiation, which emits electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength of more than 1 μm, wherein an absorption coefficient of the electromagnetic radiation in water is at least 102 1/m and at most 105 1/m, and the at least one marking is designed such that it is legible after the cleaning and dehairing of the body.
