Almost all of us know the procedures that must be done to be able to take care of an animal: microchip, passport, comply with the vaccination schedule… But what happens when our pet dies? Although, in most cases, owners are not emotionally prepared to say goodbye to their dog or cat, they also do not know where they can bury it.
The death of a pet is a process that will surprise you at some point in your life and that should be faced naturally and calmly. For this, it is key to obtain information on the possible procedures, from deregistration in the pet identification systems, to the choice of the place where your pet will rest.
If your pet dies in a veterinary center, it is the professionals of this service who will be in charge of carrying out all the procedures involved in deregistering your animal. The staff treasures the clinical history of your animal and its identification data, but they also know first-hand the options for burial or cremation that exist in your territory.
On the other hand, if the animal dies at home, you will have to take some steps on your own. The first procedure is to notify your pet’s deregistration in the pet identification register of your Autonomous Community, for which you need to know the chip number. Then, you will have to contact a cemetery or a pet crematorium. The advice of a veterinarian can be key in this decision, so if your veterinary clinic has a 24-hour emergency service, do not hesitate to ask for help with the paperwork.
Current legislation in Spain prohibits burying animals in unauthorized places. Likewise, each municipality establishes its own hygiene and health standards. That is why some town halls have an independent pet census —from which you must remove your animal, if applicable, by calling the corresponding department— or have a municipal cemetery or crematorium. This service is usually free or has a reduced rate, since the municipalities usually practice collective cremations of pets with other dead animals.
Cremation is the most popular alternative, given the scarcity of animal cemeteries in Spain. Private companies that install crematoriums for dogs and cats are, on the other hand, a business that has been expanding in recent years. The cost of cremating your pet will vary in this case depending on the weight of the animal.
