A system for taking and removing a sample from an animal, the system comprising A) a sampler comprising a handheld body to hold: i. a storage container holder adapted in use to accommodate a storage container capable of receiving and storing a biological sample (hereinafter "sample"), ii. a sample collecting device holder adapted in use to accommodate a sample collecting device, iii. a sample removing region provided between the storage container holder and the sample collecting device holder to accommodate an item from which the sample is to be taken, iv. an actuator adapted to drive a sample collecting device from the sample collecting device holder, to remove a sample from the item, and into a storage container, and B) a reader unit and comprising: i. a sample identification reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter "sample information") associated with the collecting device and/or storage container, and ii. an animal ID reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter "animal ID") associated with the item from which the sample is to be taken, characterised in that the reader unit is configured to measure and/or record time between: a) capturing said animal ID and taking the sample, and/or b) taking the sample and capturing said animal ID to compare the measured and/or recorded time against a predetermined time, wherein if said measured and/or recorded time exceeds the predetermined time the sampler or reader unit provides at least one of audio, visual and haptic feedback. A) a sampler comprising a handheld body to hold: i. a storage container holder adapted in use to accommodate a storage container capable of receiving and storing a biological sample (hereinafter "sample"), ii. a sample collecting device holder adapted in use to accommodate a sample collecting device, iii. a sample removing region provided between the storage container holder and the sample collecting device holder to accommodate an item from which the sample is to be taken, iv. an actuator adapted to drive a sample collecting device from the sample collecting device holder, to remove a sample from the item, and into a storage container, and i. a storage container holder adapted in use to accommodate a storage container capable of receiving and storing a biological sample (hereinafter "sample"), ii. a sample collecting device holder adapted in use to accommodate a sample collecting device, iii. a sample removing region provided between the storage container holder and the sample collecting device holder to accommodate an item from which the sample is to be taken, iv. an actuator adapted to drive a sample collecting device from the sample collecting device holder, to remove a sample from the item, and into a storage container, and B) a reader unit and comprising: i. a sample identification reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter "sample information") associated with the collecting device and/or storage container, and ii. an animal ID reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter "animal ID") associated with the item from which the sample is to be taken, characterised in that the reader unit is configured to measure and/or record time between: a) capturing said animal ID and taking the sample, and/or b) taking the sample and capturing said animal ID i. a sample identification reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter "sample information") associated with the collecting device and/or storage container, and ii. an animal ID reader adapted to capture identification information (hereinafter "animal ID") associated with the item from which the sample is to be taken, a) capturing said animal ID and taking the sample, and/or b) taking the sample and capturing said animal ID <EOS>