We have buried three pet dogs and two birds in our garden and over the years and it is a comforting thought. The problem comes when it's time to move on the new gardener might be in for a few surprises!

I have limited room in my backyard and have buried my dog about 14 months ago. Now I want to grow vegetables in and around the burial site. Is there any health risks to doing this?

Thanks, Vince

Don't worry Vince, the vegetables will only absorb any nutrients they need, not any toxins or bacteria.

can your tell me if those bylaws apply to nyc residents who have pets buried in the backyard.

Our pet cat was recently killed by an unknown animal while we were on vacation. Our cat was 15 years old and in pretty good shape for his age.In the last two years we made sure Mr. Sox was in the garage each evening knowing he was not as agile as he once was and knowing he could not defend himself as he once could. While on vacation a family memember left our side garage door open so Mr. Sox could get in and out as it had been very hot for a few days.That evening Mr. Sox was in the front yard and was killed by an unknown animal. We were and are in shock. Our whole family is so sad and our daughte is crushed. When we received the call we were hundreds of miles form home and did not know what to do. We called our vet and he told us we could bring him in for cremation at a cost of $226 or we could freeze him until we got home and that would give us time to decide on what to do or that we could bury him at home. We chose to have our adult children who were at home bury Mr. Sox in our garden. They picked a good spot where we can visit and remember him. The vet suggested a plain cardboard box that will over time turn to dust along with our beloved Mr. Sox. He suggested we bury him at least 3' deep and 4' would be better so no other animals may try to dig him up. I want you to love your pet each day as they love you, unconditionally as they can be gone tomorrow. I hope you make some plans in advance so that if that day comes you are prepared. Please take care and love your animals as they truly do love you. Larry Daly

Mr. Daly:

This is a terribly sad story, and I know the anguish, as our little budgie had to be euthanized because of a tumour. She was in pain, but was so loving, right to the end. Having a pet "put down" is bad enough, but we buried her next to an old budgie companion, and put what we thought was a heavy-enough rock on top. Imagine the nightmare of finding, just a few hours after the burial, the little blue box and her favourite bell, and no bird save for a few feathers. Probably a raccoon dug her up and ate her, all of this from being put down to disappearing in the space of a few hours. it is devastating, and when I need friends to say something, suddenly they are not there. For all readers, do plan ahead; make sure you're going to keep your beloved pet's body safe from any predator. Some are stronger than you think and will move rocks to find their prey. Dig deeply, use netting and have boulders ready or concrete slabs.
Don't let yourselves go through the horror of what has just happened here.

My 2 gorgeous little cat Cleo was killed on the main road nearly 4 weeks ago now, she wasnt 2 until august and i feel as yhough her life has been snatched away from her. I miss her so much i am heartbroken its like losing a baby. I cant focus on anything and i think about her every minute of each day. People do not understand, they say things like 'its only a cat you will get over it' but i dont think i will ever get over the shock of losing her.

I had my beloved cat buried in my garden 3 years ago. Losing him was like a losing a child for me. Maybe some people don't understand this feeling but as for animal lovers they know what I'm trying to tell. I was shocked recently when I was trying to dig the buried place and brought along the remaining bones to my new house, there wasn't anything left! Not even a skull. What I could find were 3 pieces of very tiny broken bones. I wonder how the body decomposed so fast!

I had my beloved cat buried in my garden 3 years ago. Losing him was like a losing a child for me. Maybe some people don't understand this feeling but as for animal lovers they know what I'm trying to tell. I'm still crying for him until now. I was shocked recently when I was trying to dig the buried place and brought along the remaining bones to my new house, there wasn't anything left! Not even a skull. What I could find were 3 pieces of very tiny broken bones. I wonder how the body decomposed so fast! Does anyone have ideas about decomposing of cat?

Friday and our daughters are staying the night with their grandmother. My wife and I went out to spend some time with friends and came home to neighbors in the driveway trying to explain that someone hit our cat. My mind told me it wasn’t Pywackit until they handed us a box with her gently wrapped in a towel. She came with the house when we bought it three years ago. I was never a cat fan but she was a wonderful animal and became an integral part of our family. She began every morning for me softly and persistently asking for breakfast. She roamed the neighborhood during the day, but she was always waiting for us when we got home. She was there every night on the bed for story time with my girls. I adored her companionship, never felt more close to an animal and never sadder at the loss. Now with a panicked dread I must tell my daughters (7 & 9) in the morning. What a horrible loss for our family.

Last night my mom put my house cats outside, it was suppose to be a way of punishing them because they liked to jump up on to the garbage can and knock it over, well my brother thought it would be a good idea to put a cage over them {the kind that is open on the bottom} so that if any animal did wonder onto our porch they would be protected. i later went out and put a blanket inside the cage for them to keep warm and a blanket on top to block the wind from blowing into the cage considering it went under 20 degrees last night. we woke up this morning to find the blanket torn across the porch. we threw on our jacket and went back outside to look for them. we got no more then 3 feet before we saw the first cat. 2 feet from him was the second cat with her body twisted up. we found the cage to had been dragged off the porch and was covered in blood. the cats didn't have any blood on them so we're guessing they put up a pretty good fight with the animal. i am 15. they we're my babies :*(. i am staying from school today to bury them. thanks for the info. R.i.P Smokey&Oreo

We had to put our cat, Smudge, down last night and I am a wreck - just devastated. We found him ~9pm in my son's room, laying over a big stuffed dog that he often cuddled with. He had a large amount of viscous fluid around his mouth & paws and was clearly in distress. I scooped him up, took him to the emergency vet, and they told me that he had most likely developed a blood clot, secondary to a heart murmur, that was blocking circulation to his hind-half, and there was nothing that could really be done for a meaningful recovery. I watched 3mls of blue fluid end the life of one of my closest companions - I've never been an animal person, but I loved Smudge in a way I'd never have imagined. I see him everywhere in the house, and I've never known how cold my ankles could feel at night. I'm sorry that this is not necessarily about burial - although I have to decide what to do about that, but I can't seem to face it - but I just found this thread and needed to tell someone.

I had to have my beautiful 14 year old Cocker Spaniel Jack put to sleep on Friday and it has been so traumatic but I would just like to thank the posts on this site for helping me make up my mind on whether to go with a burial or cremation. I went with burying Jack peacefully in the garden and have been pleased with that decision since. I miss him terribly even with the kids and cats helping to distract from the loss. He was such a character.

very comporting to hear other comments, I'm having a break from diging a hole in the back garden, just to check the what depth the hole should be (3-4')and found these stories, I can only just say as a pet owner and loosing several pets in the past, that I was privilaged to have their love and company ! and nothing can top my time with them, so as I dig this hole to burying my cat(Daisy)who just went behind the sofa last night and fell asleep, that I feel so privalaged and proud to have had her in my life and obviously I will miss her as I do all my other pets but I thank them all for choosing me, Night Night Daisy x

Just 5 hours since we put down our beloved Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Camelot's Lady Guinevere. She was the MOST beautiful corgi in the world. We buried her in our yard with our cat and the guinea pigs who passed before her. My heart is breaking and my daughter is crushed. We become so attached to these friends. We were sure to bury her at least three feet down and used a bag of lime to prevent other animals from digging her up. The house is so quiet. I'd love to hear that woo woo of her howling voice right now.
:0(

We had to put down our beloved English Bull dog last night, he was 12 years old and had the kindest heart and unconditionally loved everyone in his life. He especially loved his mother and our daughter.

But in the end it was his heart that was suddenly giving out.

I found this blog while searching for ideas on how to properly bury him.

To anyone who reads this or who knows someone who owns a pet. Please try to be kind to your pets everyday and forgive them for any wrong doings that they might or inevitable will do during their relatively short lives.

You have no idea when they might pass and when you look back you will see how insignificant everything really is and that all you want to do is to be with them again and to hear there bark or snooring.

I keep thinking back on how his last day went and wished that I could have known so that I could have maybe done something different to make him happier.

Oliver mommy and daddy loves you very much and we will see each other again one day.

We love you and thank you for the joy you brought us.

We have to euthanize our Little Mr tomorrow... he has kidney failure. We're devastated, even though we knew this was coming for a few months. We plan on burying him in the forest behind our duplex. Thanks to everyone who has written these things for all of us heartbroken people to read; the tips are helpful in our time of grief.

I was reading through this as I am still deciding weather to have my rabbit cremated or to have him buryed in our back garden. This is the morning when he has to be put down and I can't stop crying as I write this. He's 6 now, and i've had him for 5 years almost, but Boots is not just any normal rabbit, this is a rabbit that would jump in my bed and go to sleep beside me, would give me plenty of cuddles, would do the daftest things, so full of personality. So yes, it is like losing a member of the family, and he was my 'lil baby, and always will be. He has a case of Myxomatosis, and its so horrible, I just cannot bear to see him like this, the sooner he is at peace, the better.

Our dog died last week. The one-eyed Weinenarrererer (Wild Banana) that we called Nelson - what else.
I am a barrister and can assure you all that it is legal to bury the critters in the back garden (so long as they are not likely to be hazardous)
We did that and have a ribbon tree nearby. Whenever we think of him, another ribbon goes up.
Cheers all