Equine Protection Network - Cremation & Rendering Facilities for Horses

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Cremation & Rendering Facilities for Horses

Private Horse Cremations - Cremation & Pet Cemeteries in United States

CR Cremations

Charles H. Rohrer
Horse & Pet Cremations
690 Strasburg Road
Paradise, PA 17562
717-687-6940

Thank you to Charles & Kay Rohrer for all you do for horse owners and the EPN!

Plan For Your Horse's Passing

Just as we plan for horse shows, trail rides, and other competitive events, we also plan for unexpected events with our horses. We create evacuation plans in case of a wildfire or a barn fire and we plan for who will care for our horse when we die. Only recently has the issue of planning for your horse's passing become a popular topic.

Whether you board your horse or maintain your horse at home, it is your responsibility. If you allow the barn manager or your vet to be the one in charge of your horse after he/she passes away, you cannot be assured that your wishes will be achieved. Unfortunately there is a myth in the horse industry that state laws exist that prohibit the burial of your horse.

Legal Issues

Remember, if someone tells you it is illegal to bury your horse, or illegal to do anything for that matter, request that the local, state, or federal statute be produced so that you can read the law for yourself. Local laws at the city, township, or county level are commonly referred to as ordinances and usually punishable by a fine. State laws are commonly called statutes. Regulations are usually drafted by government agencies - for example, Congress passed the Commercial Transportation of Horses to Slaughter Act which mandated the USDA to draft regulations for the transport of horses to slaughter.

Unless a government agency can produce an ordinance, statute, or law stating it is illegal to bury your horse, then it is legal to bury your horse. Veterinarians are not the legal experts when it comes to horses, and rarely are correct when it comes to what is or is not legal. Veterinarians are medical experts, not lawyers or law enforcement officers. From personal experience with numerous vets located all across the United States, vets are usually incorrect when it comes to the legality of burying animals.

States do have state laws or regulations that regulate, not prohibit, the burial. For example, the PA Dead Animal Act requires owners to dispose of a carcass within 48 hours and specify the methods that are acceptable and the required or prohibited methods. For example, you cannot bury a dead animal in a wetland. A carcass must be covered with six feet of good earth. Both of these are common sense approaches to burying an animal.

Transportation of Deceased Horses

State and federal laws regulate the transport of deceased animals.
Live animals cannot be transported with dead animals.
Haulers of deceased animals must be licensed.

Depending on your method of disposal, chances are you are going to need a horse hearse. Horse cemeteries and cremation companies usually have their own horse hearse or have a hearse they utilize.

In Pennsylvania, Janet Brown, 610-255-4311, provides horse hearse services. The EPN has seen Janet Brown's work and recommends her services. Mrs. Brown's hearse is cleaner than a lot of trailers for live horses. Mrs Brown is conscientious and considerate of owner's needs at a very difficult time.

Disposal Options for Dead Horses

Burial
- Private burial on private property
- Private cemetery on private property operated for a profit
Composting
Cremation
- Communal Cremation
- Private Cremation
Donation of Body for research
Landfill
Pet Food
- Hunts
- Zoos - Private or public
Rendering

Two other uncommon options are freeze drying to be mounted or the more common method of taxidermy.

Burial

The following recommendations come from 20 years of burying horses.

Once you have determined that it is legal to bury your horse on your property and obtained any permits if necessary, the next step is to locate at least one backhoe operator, two are better. One place to locate a qualified backhoe operator who meets your needs, especially in rural areas, is to contact the local churches with their own cemeteries. Farmers can also be a good resource and their experience with large animals is a benefit. Some rental companies rent backhoes, but this is only an option for people qualified to operate a backhoe. Once you have located a qualified backhoe operator willingly to dig a grave for you, there are special considerations you want to investigate.

Make sure you let the operator know that it is legal to bury a horse. It is reckless and irresponsible to ask someone to break the law to bury your horse.
Availability - 24/7, 365 days of the year and in all kinds of weather.
Cost - Make sure to inquire about holidays and bad weather fees. In central PA I have paid $75.00 to $175.00 depending on the situation, including removal of horses from stalls.
Burial Vaults are available for horses, if one is required or you prefer a vault, call now, not later and make the necessary arrangements. Vaults allow a grave site to be prepared in advance and then opened when necessary.
Interview the operator explaining to the nature of the burial, not everyone shares your love of horses and may not realize that for many people, the loss of a beloved animal is the same as losing a member of the family. It is important that the operator is sensitive to the needs of the owner.
Make sure legs and heads are covered if the horse has to be dragged. If the horse has to be dragged instead of carried, across rough surfaces, a blanket or tarp can be put under the horse before the horse is moved.
Call the backhoe operator and put them on notice when there is the slightest chance you may need their services. Better to have them on call, then to wait and encounter a delay in burying.
Depending on the situation, a hole can be dug weeks, even months in advance. Take appropriate precautions for an open hole.
As long as cemeteries can bury people, horses can be buried. The ground digs the same for humans as it does horses.
Backhoes move earth and snow, so even if there is several feet of snow on the ground, the backhoe can still dig a grave.

Keep in mind that if you bury your horse, or any other animal for that matter on your property, if you move, you leave your animal behind. Out of consideration to your animals and the new owner, the location of the graves needs to be provided to the new owner. Graves can be re-opened and the remains taken to a cremation company for cremation.

Burial at private cemeteries require you to investigate their practices and costs. Some questions that come to mind, are what happens if the cemetery is sold? Can the new owner re-locate or remove the graves? A good place to get started for more information on pet cemeteries and Crematories contact the International Association Of Pet Cemeteries & Crematories

Cemeteries

Cremation - List of Private Cremation Companies

Cornell University

Offers both private creation with return of ashes & also common cremation with no return of ashes.

Abbey Glen Pet Memorial Park	C.R. Cremations	The Next Pasture
Equine Burial and Cremation Services "After a lifetime of Unconditional Love"	Charles H. Rohrer Horse & Pet Cremations	Individual Horse & Pet Cremations
187 Route 94 Lafayette, NJ 07848 & 80 Kelley Road Quakertown, PA 18951	690 Strasburg Road Paradise, PA 17562	P.O. Box 1608 Skippack, PA 19474
Phone: 1-800-972-3118	717-687-6940	Matthew Hoffman Phone: 610-656-3258 For Transportation & Arrangements: 610-584-4482

Cremation, No Return of Ashes

PA Department of Agriculture

Veterinary Lab 2301 North Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA

Penn State University

Pat Hilliard, Incinerator Coordinator
814-865-8127

Composting

Your state's Department of Agriculture can provide the information on composting a horse. This is a method that is done on various types of large animal and poultry farms.Donation of Body to Research

Horse owners can investigate the option of donating their horse to a veterinary college for a research program that the horse qualifies for and in the end is euthanised via lethal injection - owners must make sure their wishes are clearly described and in writing. The option may also exist to donate your horse to a teaching hospital for students to practice surgery on a horse under general anesthesia. Rules and requirements have changed, this avenue needs further investigation. In any case owners must make sure they have in writing how their horse will put down using specific language, such as lethal injection, not humane euthanasia, since the captive bolt and cutting the throat is considered euthanasia.

Landfills

Contact local landfills in advance, not when you think you might need their services. A phone call once a year keeps your information current. Last thing you need is to call the landfill 5 years after your first inquiry to learn that the landfill has closed or changed policy.

Questions to ask:

Accept Horses
Cost
Hours of Operation
Requirements

Rendering

PA Rendering Companies

National Renderers Association Member List

FARMER'S FRIEND RENDERING

Tioga, PA Phone: 1-800-488-9250

HOURS: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. The farm actually works 24 hours/day, so can call ahead if you have a problem at other hours.

PICK-UP: a carcass pick-up costs approximately $35, depending on the distance they have to travel. They will travel the following routes:

south as far as Port Treverton.
north as far as Batavia
west as far as Coudersport.
east to Millerton/Roseville and parts of Route 220

INFORMATION: They will do the shooting if requested, but not all drivers will do this so you need to call ahead and make arrangements. Also, the owner must have the weapon because they don't allow their drivers to carry guns. You can also bring in a dead animal, as long as it is not decomposed.

MOPAC (also Known as MOPAC-KERCHNER)

Seven Valleys, PA Phone: (717) 428-3793

HOURS: Monday to Friday, 2PM to 8 PM. No holidays or weekends.
PICK-UP: None

INFORMATION: Animals may be brought in dead or they will allow you to meet a veterinarian there at Mopac to euthanise. They will also shoot them there at Mopac if you request it and make afternoon arrangements. There is no charge for their services.

MOYER PACKING COMPANY (also known as MOPAC)

249 Allentown Rd., Souderton, PA 18964

Phone: (215) 723-5555 Fax :(215) 723-1018

HOURS: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM
PICK-UP: None

INFORMATION: You must bring them in already dead.

VALLEY PROTEIN NATIONAL NUMBER - 1 -800-DEAD COW

VALLEY PROTEIN, INC.

693 Wide Hollow Rd, East Earl, PA 17519
Phone: 1-888-487-5262 or (717) 445-4202 Fax : (717) 445 - 6379

HOURS: Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. No weekends, but occasionally work on Saturdays throughout the summer if people make arrangements.

PICK-UP: Yes, cost depends on distance. They cover a 50 mile radius between Reading and Lancaster, and they also go 15 miles west of Morgantown.

INFORMATION: You can bring the animal in already dead or they will shoot it for you there if you make arrangements. This is done at no charge. Also, they will shoot the animal when they come to you for pick-up, if needed. Make arrangements.

VALLEY PROTEIN, INC., Lilly, PA

Phone (814) 886-5490

PICK-UP: Yes. Will travel any of the routes listed:

Scranton/Williamsport
York/Gettysburg
State College/Lockhaven/Fort Littleton
Altoona to Maryland Border
Dubois/Punxsutawney

They do not cover Pittsburgh area

INFORMATION: You may bring them in to them already dead. They also will shoot them upon pick-up if the owner is there, so they do not accidentally mix up the horse with others. Make arrangements.

Horse Slaughter

PA Dead Animal Act -PA Law regarding Removal of Dead Animals-Is it Against PA Law to Bury Your Horse?

Links

Equine Protection Network, Inc., P. O. Box 232, Friedensburg, PA, 17933.

Did You Know?

"...regarding the slaughter of horses, especially for human consumption. You can rest assured that Farnam as a company, and Rick (Blomquist) as a horse owner and animal advocate, does not believe in that."

Rick Blomquist of Farnam & Farnam Companies, Inc.

Private Horse Cremation

CR Cremations guarantees that each cremation is private.

Charles and Kathryn Rohrer

Cremation prices, Delivered to CR Cremations

Container Prices:

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