If you still have any queries regarding pet burial, let us know by commenting below. #Vermont: Vermont doesnt have pet burial laws. Professional burial or cremation avoids the risks of environmental contamination or disease that might occur with backyard burial. Beyond helping us research human diseases, veterinary schools need pet body donors to help teach anatomy, surgery and pathology. Most importantly, always try to keep your dead pets in a cool dry place and away enough from food, which is for human consumption. So in this case, you have to put a fence or barbed wire around their burial site. Scatter. If a corpse contains traces of infection, it needs to be handled in a particular way. Thats why you decided to bury them in your backyard. There are legal realities you should consider following the death of your beloved pet dog, cat, bird, snake, gerbil, hamster, or any other furry, finned, or feathered non-human companion. Keep in mind, however, that state and city laws generally prevent pet burial in public locations, which means you can't dig a hole at the dog run or in a local park for your animal's eternal resting spot.Instead, if your dog or cat is dying and you think you'll need to make a plan for him soon, become familiar with the best practices for burying a pet at home, including the right spot to . However, the Florida authority recommends pet cremation if the pets are infected with deadly diseases to avoid spreading diseases among humans. Call (608) 255-2345 to report report a complaint. Because if you do not do this, theyll keep on wondering what happened to their friend or sibling. Because if its hard for you to put it, the animals will struggle more to remove it. In other cemeteries you may notice plots where whole families are laid to rest together. If you would prefer to bury your dog, you can either bury them at a pet cemetery near you or if allowed in your area, you can bury them in your yard. This is why I have created this blog, to provide practical advice and emotional comfort for those dealing with pet loss. You can also store your small pets in an airtight Tupperware container. Open daily during daylight hours. #Alabama: If you live in Alabama, youre allowed to bury your dead pets in your backyard. Ask your local vet for any dog burial regulations and guidelines. There are other ways to take care of your dogs body. Like a casket, wooden box, or a dog burial coffin. Backyard burial may seem like the easiest way to respectfully take care of your pets remains. However, It is best to check with your local cemetery or authorities to see if there are any regulations and requirements that supersede these laws. This is a procedure that uses water, heat, and alkaline chemicals to break down a body. However, there is another path. Youll always think that theyre far, far away from you. You have to bury your dog at least 2 to 5 ft deep so it doesnt smell and attract scavengers such as foxes and coyotes. But, the law states that the body should be buried at least 3 feet underground. Can you believe that? Burying them deep enough may not be enough sometimes. Disclosure: Nursingpets.com is reader-supported. Because this will only slow down the decaying process of your dogs body. But apparently the lease says no pets. Cremation incinerates the body and the resulting ashes are harmless. So, you need to contact your veterinarian for being sure about your individual city law. Note: Dont bother with the foxes. If you live in Colorado, it will be the best practice to talk to your veterinarian about the countys pet burial rules. After your dog dies, you should wait for 2-3 hours. Its heartbreaking when your dog finally crosses the rainbow bridge. It may be hard for you to process everything. If your state allows you to bury your pet, its time to decide on a place. If not, look into a cremation and memorial service. In this article, we summarise the laws each state has on pet ashes being buried with their owners. Most states allow pet owners bury pets in their backyards It's illegal to bury your pet in your backyard. Reading tip: 13 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Suddenly Sad + 9 Tips To Fix It. Which states allow the home burial of pets and what are the regulations you must follow? This can be done at a favorite hiking or camping spot, a beautiful vacation destination, a garden, park, in your yard, and so on. can you bury your pet in your yard in wisconsin And when you smell too much of it, it can cause nausea and vomiting. But before you bury your dog, scout your surroundings first. Pay attention to sewage, gas, electricity, and internet connection while deciding on a place. Burial-specific depth also applies. If you accidentally hit a pipe of a gas line, everyone must evacuate the area. According to mass.gov, the decision to legally bury your pet in your backyard is up to the individual town or city. Perpetual Care Trusts. #Louisiana: The pet burial law in Louisiana states that youre allowed to bury your pets, making sure that theyre buried 6 feet or more deep underground, and they dont carry any deadly disease. Which allows you to take their ashes home with you. Shutterstock. #Alaska: When it comes to burying your pets in Alaska, youre allowed to bury them on your property. Is it Legal to Bury my Pet in my Backyard? You can have their urn buried in your garden. Your veterinarian can help you if you need more details, Home burial is not allowed. Although most states allow pet owners to bury their pets at home, sometimes doing so might not be a good idea. Most people don't even know this option is available to them, so the idea of burying a loved pet in the yard is probably a foreign one. #Mississippi: In Mississippi, burying pets in the backyard is legal. These cemeteries allow full-body burials of a pets remains in the family cemetery plot. Its understandable that youd want them to be close to you after they die. You can call someone at your local courthouse or Department of Natural Resources to see whether it's legal to bury a pet in your backyard. Donating their body to science, for research and veterinary training, can potentially help hundreds of pets. However, there are some hidden risks to this, and there are other options that will help other pets, and even the owners who love them. By the way, the authority recommends pet owners bury their pets near any water source. And youd have to see the aftermath. Read more: Once youre sure to bury your pets in your backyard, you will need to do a few sequential activities to give your feathered friends a safe and respectful burial. Donate Today! Make it as touching or as simple as you want. Your local animal clinics should be able to provide you with more information such as the depth of the grave and the time allotted before you have to bury the body. [1] Refrain from burying a cat near a body of water. The only place that burial can take place in New Jersey is on land that is dedicated for cemetery purposes. Another animal digging your deceased pet up will probably come in contact with the drug and could get seriously sick. Another risk of burying your dog in the backyard is poisoning other animals. This is the reason why some states prohibit burying animals on private property. Unfortunately, it can be dangerous for other pets and wildlife. That is if the pet dies first (many states and cemeteries will not allow you to exhume the human body in order to add the pet ashes). It should be 100 ft away from any water sources. However, before putting the pet in the ground, make sure to put it in the casket, although placing the pet without a casket is better for decomposition. In America, it all depends on where you bury the pet. Another area where dogs are valuable scientific allies is in the study of rare genetic and developmental diseases in children. Youll not be only endangering yourself, but the whole community, too. In this article, were going to talk about whether your particular state allows you to bury your pet in your backyard. 3. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation US, Inc. Its clear that the pet burial laws differ from state to state and even city to city. #Wyoming: If youre a resident in Wyoming, you may need to get approval before burying your feathered friends. If your dog unexpectedly dies, its understandable if you dont know what to do. You may also consider donating your pets body for research. Make sure to check with relevant local authorities, Home burial allowed provided it doesnt interfere with a water source, Home burial is allowed provided the burial site is far from a water source and is sufficiently deep, Home burial is legal provided the pet is buried at least 2 feet underground, Home burial is allowed provided the burial site is not near a water source and is at least 300ft away from your neighbor, Home burial is allowed provided the pet is buried at least 2ft underground, Home burial is allowed provided the burial site is at least 5ft deep and 500ft away from a water source, You can bury your dog in your backyard provided it is buried at least 3ft underground, Home burial is legal provided the site is at least 75ft from the nearest water source, Home burial is allowed but only with a legal permit from your homeowner association, Home burial is allowed provided the burial takes place within 24hrs after your pet passes and the burial site is at least 3ft deep, Home burial is allowed for pets with non-infectious diseases and should be buried at least 3ft underground, Home burial is legal but you should consult your city for additional regulations, Home burial is legal provided the burial site is at least 3ft deep, You can bury your pet at home but make sure to do so within 48 hours after your dog dies, Pet burial at home is legal provided theyre buried at least 1ft deep, Home burial is allowed provided it is done within 36 hours after their passing and the burial site is kept at least 3ft deep, Home burial is allowed provided the burial site is at least 3ft deep and situated away from a water source, Home burial is allowed as long as the burial site is at least 3ft deep, You can bury your pet at home as long as you do so within 48hrs of their passing, Home burial is legal but make sure to do so within 48hrs of their passing, You can bury your dog at home as long as the burial site is at least 3ft deep, Some areas in Wyoming require pet parents to get approval to bury their pets at home. In some areas, it is legal to bury a pet in your own backyard as long as you abide by certain regulations, such as burying the dog at least three feet deep and notifying local authorities. Make sure to bury your pets at least 3 feet underground. Theyre putting more ashes in the urn to make the weight heavier. This is because if you dont bury them properly, theyre at risk of being washed away. In Marion County, which includes Indianapolis, it is illegal to bury your pet in your yard, while in Knox County you may bury an animal on your property if the grave is at least 2 feet under ground, and 50 feet from any water supply. #New Mexico: New Mexico allows pet owners to bury their pets, like dogs, cats, rabbits, etc., in the backyard. Read all my blogs and reviews about rabbits. You may choose a box or urn as a keepsake of your animal if you wish. Many pet owners cremate their pets, while some of them opt for burying their pets in the backyard. Its important that you dont let your other dogs join the burial itself. Pet Cemetery. By sniffing on their dog companion, theyll know that theyre already gone. Vaccinate your puppies a new strain of parvo has been found in Australia. You may wish your pet to be with you forever, but you have to be realistic and prepared for good. (Check first if the laws in your state will allow this.). #North Dakota: In North Dakota, pet owners are allowed to bury their pets in the backyard. Many local councils also have restrictions on pet burial, and it is worth looking at your local areas guidelines. However, burying pets is illegal in Arkansas, Vermont, Wisconsin, urban California, and most cities of Arizona. Access law & case law by selecting a state, subject, or a species from drop down menus. #Kansas: Burying pets in the backyard is legal in Kansas. Some states, like New York, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington, dont have any specific rule on pet burial. Since each state has its own laws, it is best to check with your local funeral homes and cemeteries on the best way for your pets to be buried with you. However, most human cemeteries do not allow this due to fear in offending those people that have already purchased a plot, or the families of those already buried. In a matter of 3 days, Pancho had gone from a playful and cheeky healthy 3-year-old dog to being paralyzed and eventually having a seizure which he never recovered from. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Many people who want to be buried with their pets will usually die years after their pets. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If your pet is a small cat or rabbit, you may not dig deep (digging 2 feet is enough). However, you have to complete the farewell within 48 hours of their passing. But since youre not aware of the regulations in your state, you just dig up a hole. The best way to find out if backyard pet burial is legal in your area is to . It appears if the dog is deceased due to disease (you said liver problems and I don't know if that was due to some disease or not) you cannot bury it within the City limits: City of Harrisburg, PA. Chapter 6-315.2. And they would require a more enclosed space so luring animals wont get to them. You'll also be given an individual grave and marker for your gerbil, allowing you to visit it whenever you like. Its important to use breathable and biodegradable materials in wrapping your dog. You are not allowed to bury your dog in your backyard in some states. If some parts of their body are still showing, flies or other insects will come near it. Some state and local governments regulate if and how you can bury animals, so be sure to do an online search of your area's laws before doing so. #New York: In New York, there is no state law about pet burial on private property. Even when their body has already decayed. But you cant take their ashes with you. In order to keep our surrounding ecosystem okay, we should use biodegradable urns. Or if you guys used to enjoy walking in the woods, bury them there. In addition, you have to bury them at least 2 feet deep and 2.5 feet away from other pet graves. Some states, like New York, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington, don't have any specific rule on pet burial. 1. Private plot . #Oklahoma: Oklahoma allows pet owners to bury their pets in the backyard. In this case, you can also use biodegradable plastic. #California: Like Arkansas, California doesnt allow you to bury your pets in your backyard. Have the dog cremated. Some alternatives if you dont want to bury your pooch in the yard. Even if theyve already passed away. Can you put pet ashes in a coffin? Ultimately though, I would urge you to donate your pets body to science. Yes, most USA states have no rules on being buried with pet ashes and leaves it up to each cemetery. Personalised Photo Pet Memorial Slate 21.95. #Iowa: There is no restriction to bury pets in the backyard in Iowa. This could contaminate the water supply. This could potentially cause an outbreak because its airborne. #Virginia: Burying a pet in the backyard is legal in Virginia. In Alabama or Michigan, you need to bury your dog within 24 hours. However, you have to bury them a minimum of 2 feet underground. One dog died and the other was seriously ill for several days. In Conyers, GA you will have to flush that dead goldfish down the toilet sorry my loyal pet fish. Its gaining popularity because its convenient and it has its advantages. This could cause you to have certain illnesses.