Suppose your dog or cat dies and you want to give your pet a final resting place in your own garden. Is that allowed? And what other options are there after the death of a pet? We list the possibilities.
Buried in your garden
In principle, you can bury your dog, cat, guinea pig or rabbit in your garden, but only if the ground is also yours. This therefore applies to people who live in owner-occupied homes. With a rental house you also rent the garden and it is not allowed there. There are a number of requirements for burying your pet in your own garden:
- The grave must be at least 1 meter deep;
- Place your animal in a cardboard box or other biodegradable material and not in plastic. That is bad for the soil and the environment;
- Mark the grave so you always know where the pet is;
- The following animals may not be buried in the garden: horses, sheep, pot-bellied pigs, goats and chickens. Look for more information on the site of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
Some municipalities impose additional conditions. It may be that these conditions are a bit difficult to find out. Therefore, please contact your municipality.
Buried in the woods or along the water
Burying your pet in public is not allowed. You can also get a hefty fine of up to €900.
Leave at the vet
Animals that have died at the vet can also be left there. This falls under the care of the municipality and your pet will therefore be collected by a special company. There may be costs associated with this.
Fast forward
According to animal protection, it is better not to flush fish and other aquarium animals down the toilet. It is possible that they carry diseases or bacteria that can make live fish sick. Rather choose another option. If you didn’t have a good relationship with your goldfish, you can also throw it away with the residual waste. This is of course a less pleasant way, but legal.
Cremation and burial at an animal cemetery
A legal option after the death of your pet is to have the animal cremated. You can then take the ashes with you or leave them at the crematorium. There is also a cemetery especially for (domestic) animals. Please note: there are costs associated with this. Transport of the pet (from the vet to the cemetery or from your house to the cemetery) will be charged and the funeral costs an average of €100,- depending on the size of the animal. Look for more information at the pet cemetery in your area.
Source: NVWA, Dierenbescherming.
