Home Pet Burial

[Margaret]

Unfortunately, my ex just had to have her beloved cat Lizzie put down. Quite a shock since she was healthy and vital a week ago. She'd prefer to bury her at home in the backyard, so we checked with the city and they have no regulations prohibiting it on private property, nor regarding how it should be done. We know the grave should be at least three feet deep, and searching the web I've seen it suggested that the pet be placed in a heavy-duty plastic bag as well as a sealed container first, but my ex would prefer that Lizzie not be enclosed before burial, so she can decompose directly into the earth. Would this be safe?

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

Safe for whom?

Remember to make a mound, otherwise, there will be a depression (in your yard).

 

[datasupa]

Dead cats are not biodegradable so this is bad for the environment.

 

[RJman]

Sorry to read of your loss.

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

^ Ex's cat.

Cats should not die, rather, multiply.

 

[Margaret]

Originally Posted by RJman

Sorry to read of your loss.

Thanks.

By the way, DenimDML, I was very close to Lizzie too; I spent a lot of time with her when my ex and I were together. Thanks for the point about the mound.

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

Don't thank me, thank Steinbeck. I never thought about that until I read Grapes of Wrath.

I would be shattered if my cats died. I haven't experienced pet loss via death. My pets were always secret-squirreled.

 

[Dragon]

Just throwing in another idea here, but how about cremation?

We got our dog cremated and the good part is that you can take him/her around when you move houses.

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

I don't want to come off as flippant, but what this thread needs is more Ramones:
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[johnapril]

Do you know where your gas lines are?

 

[NorCal]

Yes this would be safe. There is really not that much risk in letting a dead animal rot in the ground (sorry to put it so bluntly). Three feet is overkill but you might as well go for it. The real issue is that you don't want another animal digging it up, or having it exposed in a heavy rain or even digging it up your self a year later.
Sorry about your cat.

 

[Margaret]

Originally Posted by johnapril

Do you know where your gas lines are?

Good point, but the property owner knows about all that (she rents) and has okayed the location. Thanks.

Originally Posted by NorCal

Yes this would be safe. There is really not that much risk in letting a dead animal rot in the ground (sorry to put it so bluntly). Three feet is overkill but you might as well go for it. The real issue is that you don't want another animal digging it up, or having it exposed in a heavy rain or even digging it up your self a year later.
Sorry about your cat.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Dragon

Just throwing in another idea here, but how about cremation?

We got our dog cremated and the good part is that you can take him/her around when you move houses.

Thanks. She considered that of course, but likes the idea of having Lizzie "return to the earth" in (closer to) a natural way. She grew up on a farm. Thanks.