When your beloved pet passes away, it’s absolutely devastating for you. You may wish your pet to be with you forever, but you have to be realistic and prepared for good. Many pet owners cremate their pets, while some of them opt for burying their pets in the backyard.
Now, the question is, “is it legal to bury your pet in your backyard?” In many states in the US, burying pets in the backyard is legal. However, burying pets is illegal in Arkansas, Vermont, Wisconsin, urban California, and most cities of Arizona. Some states, like New York, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington, don’t have any specific rule on pet burial.
In this article, we’re going to talk about whether your particular state allows you to bury your pet in your backyard. We’ll also discuss how to bury your dog legally and what to do if your state prohibits backyard pet burial.
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Pet Burial Laws By State
Here we’re going to let you know the pet burial laws in each state of the US. However, you have to check the burial laws for your particular city for being sure. If you live within a community governed by a Homeowners Associations (HOA), you will need to follow their rules.
#Alabama: If you live in Alabama, you’re allowed to bury your dead pets in your backyard. However, you have to bury them a minimum of 2 feet underground.
#Alaska: When it comes to burying your pets in Alaska, you’re allowed to bury them on your property. But, if you encounter challenges to bury your pets due to frozen grounds, the authority encourages you to say goodbye to them through cremation.
#Arizona: Most of the cities in Arizona don’t allow pet burial in the backyard. However, you can bury your pet in public pet cemeteries. If you’re a resident of Arizona, discuss with your veterinarian about the pet burial laws of your regions.
#Arkansas: Arkansas doesn’t allow you to bury your pet in your backyard. According to the law, you must cremate or dispose of your pets within a half-day (12 hours) after their death.
#California: Like Arkansas, California doesn’t allow you to bury your pets in your backyard. However, if you live in rural areas of California, the rule might not be strict for you.
#Colorado: Colorado allows pet owners to bury their pets in the backyard if they’re not infected with deadly diseases. If you live in Colorado, it will be the best practice to talk to your veterinarian about the county’s pet burial rules.
#Connecticut: If you live in Connecticut, you can bury your pets in your backyard. However, you have to make sure that you bury them 2 feet or more underground to avoid scavengers.
#Delaware: In Delaware, burying pets in the backyard is legal. By the way, the authority recommends pet owners bury their pets near any water source.
#Florida: Florida allows pet owners to bury their pets in their backyard and other properties. However, the Florida authority recommends pet cremation if the pets are infected with deadly diseases to avoid spreading diseases among humans.
#Georgia: Similar to Connecticut, Georgia allows pet owners to bury their dead pets in their backyard and other properties. If you’re a pet owner, going to bury a pet, you have to make sure that the pet is buried deep enough to avoid scavengers.
#Hawaii: Like most states, Hawaii allows pet owners to bury their pets in their backyard. However, the authority suggests checking with your individual homeowners’ association (HOA) before.
#Idaho: In Idaho, you can bury your pet in your backyard, making sure that it’s buried a minimum of 3 feet underground.
#Illinois: Illinois allows pet owners to bury their pets in their backyard if their pets are not infected with deadly diseases. If the pets are contaminated with diseases, the authority suggests pet cremation.
#Indiana: In Indiana, you can bury your pets. Make sure to bury them 4 feet or more deep underground.
#Iowa: There is no restriction to bury pets in the backyard in Iowa. But, the authority suggests checking with your individual homeowners’ association (HOA).
#Kansas: Burying pets in the backyard is legal in Kansas. But, there is one condition. Your pet shouldn’t have harmful diseases or pose any risk to the surrounding ecosystem.
#Kentucky: In Kentucky, you can bury your pets in your backyard. Keep in mind that the burial must not be within 100 feet of a water source. It should be buried 4 feet or more deep underground.
#Louisiana: The pet burial law in Louisiana states that you’re allowed to bury your pets, making sure that they’re buried 6 feet or more deep underground, and they don’t carry any deadly disease.
#Maine: Maine allows pet owners to bury their pets in their backyard. However, the burial shouldn’t be near a water source, or the pets don’t carry any deadly disease.
#Maryland: If you live in Maryland, you can bury your pets in your backyard 4 feet or more deep underground.
#Massachusetts: Though the pet burial laws in Massachusetts vary from city to city, pet burial, in general, is allowed in the backyard. So, you need to contact your veterinarian for being sure about your individual city law.
#Michigan: In Michigan, your pets must be buried or disposed of within 24 hours. In addition, you have to bury them at least 2 feet deep and 2.5 feet away from other pet graves. Make sure to bury them away enough from a water source.
#Minnesota: If you live in Minnesota, you’re allowed to bury your pets. However, you have to make sure that you bury your pets deep enough and keep their graves away from a water source.
#Mississippi: In Mississippi, burying pets in the backyard is legal. You will need to create their graves at least 2 feet deep to avoid scavengers.
#Missouri: In Missouri, the pet burial law states that pet owners are allowed to bury their pets on their property, making sure that the body should be at least 50 feet away from personal property, 300 feet away from neighboring houses, and 300 feet away from a water source.
#Montana: If you live in Montana, you’re allowed to buy your pets in your backyard or any other property. However, you have to make sure that you bury your pets at least 2 feet underground.
#Nebraska: In Nebraska, the pet burial law states that pet owners are allowed to bury their pets on their property, making sure that the pets are buried at least 5 feet underground and 500 feet away from a water source.
#Nevada: Like most states, Nevada allows pet owners to bury their pets in their backyard. However, the pets should be buried at least 3 feet underground. Don’t bury them near water sources because the surrounding ecosystem can be contaminated.
#New Hampshire: In New Hampshire, burying pets in the backyard is legal. By the way, you have to bury your pets at least 75 feet away from any water source and 2 feet or more underground.
#New Jersey: If you live in New Jersey, pet owners are allowed to bury their pets in the backyard. They have to follow the burial rules, putting your dead pets at least 2 feet underground.
#New Mexico: New Mexico allows pet owners to bury their pets, like dogs, cats, rabbits, etc., in the backyard. However, if you live in this state, you will need to get approval from your homeowners’ association (HOA).
#New York: In New York, there is no state law about pet burial on private property. So, you have to talk to your veterinarian about your individual city rules. One thing you have to make sure that you’re not allowed to bury your pets in the same place as humans.
#North Carolina: If you live in North Carolina, you will have to bury your pets within 24 hours of their passing. Make sure to bury your pets at least 3 feet underground.
#North Dakota: In North Dakota, pet owners are allowed to bury their pets in the backyard. The pets must be buried at least 3 feet underground to avoid spreading infectious diseases among humans.
#Ohio: Ohio allows pet burial on personal property. However, it urges that you contact a veterinarian to know your city regulations. For example, you have to bury your pets at least 2 feet underground and away enough from a water source.
#Oklahoma: Oklahoma allows pet owners to bury their pets in the backyard. But, the law states that the body should be buried at least 3 feet underground.
#Oregon: Like Oklahoma, Oregon allows pet owners to bury their feathered friends in their backyard. The authority urges to bury them at least 3 feet underground.
#Pennsylvania: In Pennsylvania, burying pets in the backyard is legal. However, you have to complete the farewell within 48 hours of their passing.
#Rhode Island: Rhode Island doesn’t have any specific law for pet burial. If you live in this state, you have to speak with your local veterinarian about what to do.
#South Carolina: Like many other states, South Carolina allows pet owners to bury their pets in the backyard. If you’re a resident of South Carolina, you have to bury your pets at least 1 foot underground and away enough from water sources.
#South Dakota: In South Dakota, burying pets is obligatory within 36 hours of their passing. In addition, you have to bury them at least 3 feet underground.
#Tennessee: Tennessee allows pet burial on private property. You just have to make sure that they’re buried at least 3 feet underground and away enough from water sources.
#Texas: Surprisingly, Texas doesn’t have any rule in this regard. However, you’re, in general, allowed to bury your pets with permission. Make sure to bury your feathered friends at least 3 feet underground.
#Utah: In Utah, there is no legal restriction to bury pets. In addition, the authority urges you to bury your pets within 48 hours of their passing.
#Vermont: Vermont doesn’t have pet burial laws. So, you have to talk to your veterinarian to ensure what to do to give your feathered friends a respectful farewell.
#Virginia: Burying a pet in the backyard is legal in Virginia. You just have to make sure that you bury your pets within 48 hours of their passing.
#Washington: Though no rule is out there regarding pet burial in Washington, you can bury your pets but within 72 hours of their passing. In this regard, you should talk to your local veterinarian for the best advice.
#West Virginia: In West Virginia, burying pets in the backyard and other private property is legal. By the way, you have to make sure that you bury your pets at least 3 feet underground.
#Wisconsin: In some counties of Wisconsin, pet owners are not allowed to bury their pets in the backyard or other private property. If you live in this state, you will need to talk to your local veterinarian for the best advice.
#Wyoming: If you’re a resident in Wyoming, you may need to get approval before burying your feathered friends. This is because some parts of this state require approval. For the best advice, speak with your local veterinarian.
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How to Bury Your Pet Legally
Once you’re 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. Here we’re going to talk about burying your pets legally in your backyard.
01. Check If Your Pet Is Still Alive
First of all, you should check for a pulse to ensure that the pet is alive or not. Many times, small pets have a faint heartbeat, which is hardly detectable. In order to feel the pulse, check the inner thigh with two fingers for at least a minute. Call your vet to be sure.
Once you’re sure that your pet is dead, hurry up to bury it because dead bodies start to decompose right away. If possible, bury it within a day (24 hours). If you cannot bury it immediately, store the body in the freezer.
02. Collect Essential Equipment
Before burying your beloved pet, you have to collect a few essential pieces of equipment. Things you need to bury are:
- A biodegradable casket
- A shovel
- A pet memorial stone (if desired)
- Any favorite toys to be buried with your pet
Are you looking for an eco-friendly casket for your pet? We recommend opting for the Large Halloween Coffin Box from Amazon. For a more eco-friendly option, you can bury your pet with the Sweet Goodbye Cocoon Eco-Friendly Pet Burial kit (the link takes you to Amazon).
03. Follow the Local Pet Burial Law
As we already stated, you need to check if it’s legal to bury your pet in your area. You can look for information in your county’s Animal Control Agency. You may need to dig a hole 2 to 7 feet deep. Also, you may have to bury your pet away enough from your neighbors.
04. Decide on a Place
If your state allows you to bury your pet, it’s time to decide on a place. Make sure to follow the rules on how far the pet can be buried from other properties. Pay attention to sewage, gas, electricity, and internet connection while deciding on a place.
05. Dig a Hole Deep Enough
Once you’ve decided on a place, dig a deep enough hole. The ideal measurement of the hole ranges from 3 to 5 feet deep, depending on the law of each state. If your pet is a small cat or rabbit, you may not dig deep (digging 2 feet is enough).
06. Put the Pet in the Ground
Now, it’s time to put the pet in the ground. 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. That’s why always try to bury your pet in a biodegradable casket.
07. Place a Pet Memorial Stone (If Desired)
If you’re willing to set a pet memorial stone on the grave, the New Creative Memorial Garden Stone on Amazon is our recommendation. It’s not obligatory, but this can be a great way to let your future generation know about your faithful companion.
What If Burying Pets Is Illegal in Your State?
If burying your beloved pets is illegal in your states, you have to follow alternative methods to say goodbye to your pets. You can also talk to your local veterinarian about what to do in this regard. Here we’re going to discuss a few alternatives to burying pets.
#Cremation: When it comes to alternatives to burying pets, cremation comes first. It’s one of the eco-friendly ways to say goodbye to our feathered friends. However, it costs around 100 to 200 bucks. The most essential thing after the cremation is putting the ashes in an urn.
Urns mainly come in two types: biodegradable and non-biodegradable. In order to keep our surrounding ecosystem okay, we should use biodegradable urns. The KIRI Biodegradable Urn for Pet Cremation Ashes is on Amazon highly recommended.
#Cemetery: If your state doesn’t allow you to bury your pet, you can bury your pet in a local pet cemetery, which is created for pets only to rest in peace. Once your pet is buried there, you can visit your pet whenever you would like.
#Remembrance Stone: Another wonderful way to tie your pet’s memory is by placing a remembrance stone in your backyard. The stone will be made with your pet cremation ashes infused into the stone. Talk to your veterinarian about creating remembrance stones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
01. How Long Can You Keep Your Pet Before Burial?
According to the laws of most states, you can keep your pet 24 to 48 hours before burial. If you’re willing to bury your pet in a pet cemetery, it may take a few days because the local authority requires a little more time to arrange for burial.
02. Should You Bury Your Pet In A Plastic Bag?
You shouldn’t bury your pet in a plastic bag because these bags are not environment-friendly. It’s best to use a biodegradable bag or box. In addition, you can use coffins made of wood or cardboard, which can be disposed of quickly.
03. Can I And My Pet Be Buried Together?
A few states are out there in the US, allowing you to be buried with your pet. Pennsylvania allows three sections in cemeteries where one area is for both pets and humans. In Virginia, people can be buried with their pets if the pets are companion animals, like dogs or cats.
04. Where should I store my pet until I can bury them?
The best place to store pets before burial is the freezer. You can also store your small pets in an airtight Tupperware container. Most importantly, always try to keep your dead pets in a cool dry place and away enough from food, which is for human consumption.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear that the pet burial laws differ from state to state and even city to city. If you’re going to bury your pets, make sure it’s legal or not in your area. Follow the pet burial rules according to your state pet burial laws.
If you have any doubt, contact your local veterinarian for the best advice. However, we hope the article helps you a lot in identifying whether burying your pets in the backyard is legal or not. If you still have any queries regarding pet burial, let us know by commenting below.
