Disclosed is a system for reducing microbial levels on a hide of an animal utilizing means for contacting the hide of an animal with an alkaline solution having a pH of between about 8 and about 13 after stunning the animal, a second means for contacting the hide with a second solution that includes one of water, organic acid or hydrogen peroxide and a means for reusing at least a portion of the alkaline solution or the water/organic acid/hydrogen peroxide.