Deceased Animals

Deceased Animals

When a beloved family pet dies, people have different feelings about burial, cremation, or the process.
dog

 

In accordance with Los Angeles Municipal Code 53.62, “No person shall bury any animal or fowl in the City except in an established cemetery.”

However, persons may seek out dog/cat cemeteries, and companion animal cremation services for burials or private memorial services. You can also bring your animal to one of our shelters and we will take care of the body for you. We do not offer any cremation and are unable to return the ashes to you.

LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) is responsible for picking up dead animals. L.A. Animal Services does not pick up dead animals. If any animals in the City of Los Angeles have died and need to be collected for sanitary reasons, the Bureau of Sanitation will come to your location and pick the animal up for proper disposal.

LASAN collects dead animals free of charge, except for horses and cows. (For horses and cows, please check your local yellow pages for a rendering service.) Please call LASAN's Customer Care at 1-800-773-2489, which is accessible 24/7. You may also dial 3-1-1 or (213) 473-3231, visit https://myla311.lacity.org, or use the MyLA311 mobile app on your phone.

To make a request for Dead Animal Collection, you must provide:

  • Address or Location of Animal
  • Telephone Number

Collectors may enter the home to retrieve animals, but will not go into a resident's garage or backyard, nor climb or crawl into tight places. The animal is removed as soon as possible.

cat

Los Angeles County Public Heath needs your help to keep track of disease carried by birds and squirrels. If you see a dead bird (except pigeons) or a dead tree squirrel, please follow the instructions of the County. Click here for more information.

Thank you to our lifesaving partners who help us care for #LACityPets