What do you do when an animal dies in your yard?

Author: Anahi Witting  |  Last update: Monday, July 7, 2025

If you have a dead animal on your property, the best course of action is to contact a wildlife removal near me. They will come and remove the animal for you, preventing any further health hazards. Plus, they'll take care of disposing of the body properly, so you don't have to worry about it.

What should I do with a dead animal in my backyard?

If you find sick or dead wildlife, contact your closest state or federal wildlife agency; they can decide whether to investigate. You might also contact your local health department to report this occurrence.

What do you do with an animal that has passed away?

If you decide to take your pet to the vet, they'll be able to arrange a cremation or disposal service on your behalf. When opting for a cremation you can request to have the ashes returned to you.

Is it legal to bury a dead animal in your backyard?

At the time of this writing; pet burial on private property is not permitted in Arkansas, Vermont, nor Wisconsin. In California, it's not permitted in urban areas but may be permitted in rural areas. There are no state laws banning pet burial in Arizona, but most cities don't allow it.

How long does it take for a dead animal to stop smelling?

It may take days or weeks for the carcass to dry out and the odor to naturally and completely disappear.

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How to get rid of dead animals outside?

If you have a dead animal on your property, the best course of action is to call a wildlife removal company. However, if you're feeling brave (or cheap), you can try to remove the animal yourself. The key is to use a tarp or plywood to slide the carcass onto so you can dispose of it in the trash.

Is it OK to bury dead dog in your backyard?

In states like California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Texas, it is legal to bury a pet in your own backyard as long as there is no health hazard or nuisance caused by it. It is also illegal to bury animals on public property- including pets.

How much does it cost to cremate a dog?

It costs $200 to $450 to cremate a dog in California. The exact cost depends on a few factors. These factors include the dog's size, the type of cremation you choose, and the cost of the storage vessel (if you want one).

Will a dead animal smell if you bury it?

It's not easy and can even give off an unpleasant smell.

The process begins with digging up an area in your yard where you will bury them. Needless to say, this isn't always easy. On top of this, if the remains is only buried superficially, it will give off an unpleasant odour in the air as the body decomposes.

How much do vets charge to dispose of a dead dog?

The average cost of private pet cremation including euthanasia in the U.S. runs from $230 to $350 at the veterinary office, $420 to $800 if you choose to have it done at home. Communal or group cremation means your dog will be cremated along with the remains of other deceased pets.

Where to bury dead pets?

Under the Environmental Public Health (Public Cleansing) Regulations, animal carcasses are not permitted to be buried in public spaces. However, owners of private properties may choose to bury their pets within their compounds provided there are no public health nuisance or threats.

Do animals mourn their dead?

When a family member, human or animal, is lost, becomes ill, or dies, it affects the whole family. Effectively supporting the grief process in the surviving pack members allows the pack to move forward. Animals display grief in a manner similar to humans. Aspects of their personality may change for a period time.

What to do if your dog dies in your backyard?

Call your vet.

Take a moment to compose yourself, and then call your veterinarian to inform them your pet has passed. If you're away from home, your vet's office is closed, or you lack a regular vet, promptly contact the nearest emergency clinic.

How to dispose of a dead rabbit in the yard?

You can pick up the dead rabbit with your gloved hands or use a shovel and carefully, without swinging the body, put it in the plastic bag, then double bag it and throw it away in the trash.

What to do if a cat dies in your yard?

Here's what to do:
  1. Protection.
  2. Check for Signs of Life.
  3. Check for Identification.
  4. Contact a Local Veterinarian.
  5. Contact Animal Control or the Local Authorities.
  6. Contact Local Shelters or Rescues.
  7. Burial.

What if I can't afford to cremate my dog?

People looking for affordable dog cremation usually choose communal cremation. It's the cheapest method and it involves cremating several pets at the same time – all in one chamber.

Is it better to cremate or bury a dog?

What you decide will depend on many different factors, including the laws in your community, your budget and how you want to memorialize your pet. There is no right or wrong choice, but an increasing number of pet owners are choosing cremation due to convenience and legality.

How much do most vets charge to euthanize a dog?

The cost to put a dog to sleep will typically range between $35 and $100 for pet parents utilizing local animal shelters, between $125 and $250 for pet parents visiting their primary veterinary provider during normal business hours, between $200 and $400 for pet parents visiting an urgent-care veterinary provider, and ...

Should I bury my dog in a plastic bag?

I am not a big fan of wrapping deceased pets in a plastic bag. This will only slow the natural decaying process. Instead, I prefer wrapping the pet in a small blanket, sheet or towel before gently lowering it into the pre-dug hole. You should think about if and how you want to mark your pet's grave.

How long can you leave a dead pet before burying it?

How soon do you have to bury your deceased pet? Most states will give a pet owner 24 to 48 hours after the pet passes before they have to legally bury or cremate the remains. Suppose you decide to place your dog's remains in a gravesite or cremate them in a crematorium.

How deep should you bury a dog in your yard?

At-Home Burial

Dig a hole that is deep enough (2 to 5 feet) to place your pet in there and not have wild animals dig it up. If the ground is frozen, you'll have to check with your vet to see if they can store the body until you can dig that hole.

What should you do with a dead animal in your yard?

Dead animals, with the exception of horses and cows, are collected free of charge by LA Sanitation (LASAN). Please check your local yellow pages for horse and cow removal. For all other dead animal removal, please call the LASAN Customer Care Center at 1-800-773-2489. A crew will come within 24 hours of your request.

Can breathing in the smell of a dead animal make you sick?

The smells coming from a dead animal are unpleasant, and they can often make you feel like you are going to be sick. However, simply smelling a dead animal is not likely to affect your health.

Can you bury dead animals in your yard?

Here's what California law says. It is not legal to bury a loved one in your own backyard in the state of California — that is, your human loved ones.

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