Can You Legally Bury Your Dead Pet in the Backyard in Washington?

Some States Allow You To Bury Your Pet At Home, But Some States Don't Allow Burial

No one wants to say goodbye to a beloved pet but sadly when that day comes, it's good to know your options.

Rik Mikals

States Like Arkansas, Vermont, And Wisconsin Have Strict Pet Burial Rules

It's one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do in your life and when you are grief-stricken, you don't want to be thinking about what's legal and isn't legal when it comes to burying your pet in Washington State.

Our wonderful Phoebe is 14 and has Dementia. She wanders around in circles, gets stuck behind doors, and hasn't barked or wagged her tail in months. She doesn't recognize anyone for the most part and spends most of the day asleep. We love her so much.

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I'm going to be crushed when she finally passes away. We've talked with our veterinarian and as long as her appetite is still good, we'll hold on as long as possible with her. I know we are going to have to make a choice in the near future.

As a kid growing up in rural Asotin County, if our pets passed away, we would just bury them in the backfield.

As an adult, living in town, if a pet passed away, we'd have the family veterinarian dispose of the body. I know it's a little morbid to think of death but being a responsible pet owner comes with the territory. You've got to take the good with the bad.

Photo by Lucas van Oort on Unsplash

If you are facing a situation where your pet passes away unexpectedly, Washington is one of those states that doesn't have any set rules against burying your pet in your backyard.

According to farewellpets.com, states like New York, Rhode Island, and yes Washington State has no set burial rules.

I'm not looking forward to the day when Phoebe passes but when she does, Washington State law is one less thing I'll have to worry about. I'll be able to freely make her final resting choices.

You can read more details about burying your pet and other legal options when your pet passes away in Washington State here.

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