By admin 
It’s Halloween season, and yards across California are filling with spooky decorations, from creepy skeletons to mock gravestones.
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While a fake grave might be one way to mark the holiday, what happens when a pet dies and its owner wants to bury it in the backyard?
Can California pet owners legally bury their deceased animals at home?
Here’s what to know about California’s pet burial laws and disposal options for animals:
What does California law say about pet burials?
California does not have a single statewide law specifically prohibiting pet owners from burying domestic animals in their backyards.
There are also no state laws that say pet owners must dispose of their deceased animals in a humane manner, according to The Pet Memorial.
However, local governments have their own ordinances regarding pet burials.
State regulations addressing animal disposal primarily cover agricultural settings, such as farms and ranches.
According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, disposal options for dead animals include delivery to a permitted landfill, on-site burial and on-site composting, depending on which options are available.
Can I bury my pet in my California backyard?
Pet owners should check their city and county regulations before burying a deceased animal on their property.
Whether you can bury a pet at home depends on where you live.
Local rules can differ, so check with your county or city before proceeding.
In Stanislaus County, Chapter 7.44 of the county code requires deceased animals to be properly buried, incinerated or otherwise disposed of in a sanitary manner “within a reasonable time period.”
Abandoning a dead or living animal is prohibited.
Pet owners can also request county assistance with disposal for a fee.
Merced County Code does not explicitly state any countywide ordinance that prohibits burying a domestic pet on private property.
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However, pet owners should check with local government officials before proceeding.
The Fresno County Code also does not provide specific instructions for s, so pet owners should contact county or city officials to confirm any possible restrictions.
While San Luis Obispo County does not have any rules banning backyard pet burials, the county offers animal remains disposal for a fee if you prefer not to bury a pet at home.
In Sacramento County, you can bury your animal in your backyard, but it is not recommended, according to the Sacramento County website.
Sacramento County officials previously told The Sacramento Bee that there is no official local ordinance in the county code regarding pet burials.
Rules can also differ in incorporated cities, so it is worth checking city ordinances as well as county regulations.
How can I dispose of a deceased pet?
Backyard burial is not the only option for a deceased pet.
Depending on local requirements and available services, owners might consider pet cremation, a pet cemetery or an approved disposal facility.
Sacramento County officials have previously recommended that deceased pets weighing more than 15 pounds be taken to a veterinary clinic or pet cemetery.
“Alternatively, they can be taken to Kiefer Landfill,” county officials said.
Here are the , according to the county’s solid waste acceptance policy:
- Household domestic pets can “be disposed in the general waste stream.” Although the county does not recommend this for pets larger than 15 pounds.
- Dead farm (or other very large) animals or multiple animals are acceptable for disposal at Kiefer Landfill on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Pet owners who are unsure what to do should contact their local animal services department or veterinarian for guidance on safe and lawful disposal options.
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