Disposition of Remains

Policy On Returning Animals For Final Disposition

The Alabama State diagnostic laboratories will return small companion animals to owners for burial or other final disposition, under the following circumstances.

1. The laboratory is notified at the time the animal is submitted for necropsy that the owner requests final possession of the deceased animal’s body.

2. The owner assumes all responsibility for burial or other final disposition within the state regulations for animal carcass disposal.

3. The attending pathologist verifies that no zoonotic disease health risk exists based on preliminary findings. If a rabies test has been ordered, the animal cannot be released until a negative rabies test result is received form the Public Health Laboratory.

4. Animal remains are returned in a plastic bag placed in a cardboard box. Owners should not open these containers.

It is the responsibility of the owner or other responsible party to request a cosmetic necropsy at the time the animal is submitted to the diagnostic laboratory, or to indicate if a standard necropsy is acceptable.

Animal bodies not picked up from the laboratory by 5:00 PM on the fourth business day after the necropsy was performed, will be cremated. Permissible extensions to this deadline would include additional time required for a rabies testing (or similar), or definite arrangements for an alternate pick-up date by the owner or an animal mortuary service.

Issued: 12/6/07