City Develops Alternative Solutions for the Disposal of Euthanized Animals

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – In response to community concerns about the disposal of euthanized, non-cremated animals at the City landfill, Animal Care Services (ACS) will implement an alternative disposal method for euthanized animals when the facility's cremation unit is out of operation. This initiative aims to ensure that all animal remains are managed in a manner that aligns with our community's expectations.

Moving forward, ACS will implement the following methods for disposing of euthanized animals.

• • Euthanized animals will be stored in the on-site freezer at the ACS facility until the cremation unit is repaired or until storage capacity is reached.
  • When storage capacity is reached, ACS will use the Pet Memorial Center for animal cremation services.

Additionally, ACS is actively evaluating options to replace the facility's 10-year-old cremation unit. Only seven specialized vendors nationwide (Florida, Oregon, California, and Illinois) provide animal cremation units.

The ACS cremation unit became inoperable in February 2025. Repairs are scheduled for the week of June 9, 2025.

ACS has proactively coordinated with the Florida-based manufacturer to arrange necessary repairs. Due to the cremation unit's unique nature, only the manufacturer can perform annual maintenance to preserve the equipment's warranty and minimize liability.

Citygate, a contracted consultant evaluating ACS operations, verified that the landfill disposal procedures complied with accepted animal welfare practices nationwide.

Municipal and private animal shelters and veterinary clinics in Corpus Christi commonly dispose of non-cremated animals in a regulated landfill. In Texas, several major cities, including Dallas, El Paso, and Laredo, do not have cremation units and dispose of all euthanized animals in landfills. Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and Brownsville utilize landfills to dispose of non-cremated animals when their cremation units are offline.

ACS and Solid Waste fully comply with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) guidelines and best practices for animal disposal.

This disposal method followed established waste management protocols to minimize public health risks and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

For more information, media representatives can contact Robert Gonzales, Public Information Manager, at 361-826-3233 or robertg8@cctexas.com.