What do I need to do if my pet dies in France?
French regulations require animals to be cremated
Discarding an animal's body in an ‘inappropriate location’ risks a fine
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Reader question: What are the formalities if my pet dies? Do I need to tell a vet?
Yes, if your pet dies, you should contact a vet. They are in charge of handling the cremation of household pets (cats, dogs, ferrets, and other small domestic animals) and you should bring the animal in within 48 hours of it dying.
The cheapest option is a joint cremation with other animals (around €60 to €100) but an individual cremation (€150 - €200) gives you the option to keep the pet’s ashes afterwards.
Ashes can then be collected from the vet or crematory, or delivered to your home.
If you do not take your pet to the vet but merely inform them of the death and require crematorium staff to collect the animal further costs are likely.
Ashes can be kept indoors if you wish (unlike human ashes) or scattered at a symbolic location, provided this is not in a public area.
Burying your pet is not permitted in France, including in your own garden, according to official information site service-public.
France adheres to a 2009 EU regulation on animal ‘by-products’ that include banning the burial of animal remains.
It theoretically allows for an exemption allowing pet burials but this has not been taken up in French legislation.
Discarding an animal in an ‘inappropriate location’ risks a fine of €3,750.
In addition to cremating your pet, you will also need to contact your pet’s insurance firm (if you have one) to inform them of the death.
On top of this, check with your vet if they will declare the animal’s death on the i-Cad database – if they do not, you should make sure you do this, via your pet’s personal online space.
