Saying goodbye to a much-loved pet is always difficult. Many would like to give it a final resting place in the garden, near the house. But is that allowed?
France’s Service Public website is clear. The opening sentence of its online factsheet on what to do when a family pet dies reads: “Upon its death, a pet must, depending on its size, either be cremated, placed in a pet cemetery or disposed of by an animal rendering company.”
While previous French regulations allowed for the burial of pets, they were replaced by Regulation No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which stipulates that dead animals must be disposed of by incineration.
So, it’s actually illegal to bury your pet, even in your own garden. The reason: to avoid health risks, and pollution of the soil or groundwater – particularly in rural areas.
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