What to Do If Your Pet Dies or You Find a Dead Animal in Leuven

Losing a pet is never easy. If your pet has passed away or if you've found a dead animal in Leuven, it's important to know what steps to take and who to contact.

This guide explains the options available in Leuven and where to find support.

International House Leuven

17 September 2026

My Pet Has Died. What Should I Do?

If your pet has passed away, your first point of contact should be your veterinarian. They can advise you on the available options and help you choose the most appropriate solution.

Your options include:

Your veterinarian can arrange further handling of your pet.
You can choose burial in a pet cemetery.
You can arrange cremation through a pet crematorium.
Household waste collection may not be used to dispose of deceased animals.

Can I bury my pet in my garden?

In Belgium, burial on private property is only allowed under specific conditions:

You own the property (tenants are not permitted to do this).
The animal weighs less than 10 kg.
The animal did not die from an infectious disease.
The soil is not clay or loamy soil.
The burial pit must be at least 50 cm deep.
Only biodegradable materials may be used. Plastic and other non-degradable materials are not allowed.
Animals may never be buried on public property.

I Found a Dead Pet on Private Property

If you discover a deceased dog, cat, or other pet on your private property, contact the Leuven Police Zone.

Phone: 016 21 06 10 or 016 21 06 11.

The police can scan the animal for a microchip and try to identify and contact the owner.

I Found a Dead Wild Animal on Private Property

If you find a deceased wild animal on your property, you can generally follow the same options available for your own pet.

For larger animals or when collection is required, Rendac is responsible for the collection and processing of animal carcasses.

I Found a Dead Animal in a Public Space

If you find a dead animal on a street, in a park, or on other public land in Leuven:

Do not touch the animal.

Instead, report it to the city cleaning service through the City of Leuven's animal welfare reporting system.

Dead animal found in Heverlee Forest?

If the animal is located in Heverlee Forest, contact the Agency for Nature and Forests directly.

You can also register roadkill and other animal findings through Dieren Onder de Wielen, which uses reports for monitoring and research purposes.

What Happens After a Dead Animal Is Collected?

Animals collected by the city cleaning service or the fire brigade are taken to the city's storage facility in Wilsele.

The service has access to a microchip reader and will check whether a deceased pet can be identified. If the owner is found, they are contacted and given the opportunity to retrieve their pet and say goodbye.

Deceased pets are typically kept for up to two weeks to allow enough time for owners to report a missing animal, particularly when a microchip cannot be read or is absent.

Useful Contacts and Resources

City of Leuven Animal Welfare

Information and reporting for dead, injured, or stray animals.

Leuven Police Zone

For deceased pets found on private property and microchip identification.

Phone: 016 21 06 10 or 016 21 06 11

Need Help Finding the Right Service?

Navigating local regulations and services can be challenging, especially if you're new to Belgium. If you're unsure who to contact, International House Leuven can help point you towards the right local organisation.