City Statement: Updated Euthanized Animal Disposition, Originally Posted on May 6, 2025

In response to community concerns about the disposal of euthanized, non-cremated animals at the City landfill, the City Manager has instructed Animal Care Services (ACS) to develop and 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.

 Citygate, the contracted consultant evaluating ACS operations, has verified that our disposal procedures comply with accepted animal welfare practices nationwide. 

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 (1534 Holly Road) for animal cremation services, which will cost approximately $2,500 per service event. 

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. A new unit is expected to improve operations and efficiency. The unit will cost an estimated replacement cost of $140,000.

 The ACS cremation unit underwent its last annual maintenance in May 2024 but 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 unique nature of the cremation unit, only the manufacturer is authorized to perform annual maintenance to preserve the equipment's warranty and minimize liability. 

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 follows established waste management protocols to minimize public health risks and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. 

Respectful treatment of animals is the top priority of Animal Care Services.