Amarillo Closes Pet Depository: What Owners Must Do Now

Amarillo is a great city for pet lovers, and you can see that in the number of people who dedicate their lives to rescuing animals. If you are a pet owner, then you know that losing a pet is never easy. Sadly, they are not with us nearly long enough.

While most of us have experienced the loss of a pet, most of the time we are usually at a veterinarian's office when we say goodbye.  However, other times, our pets pass at home. For many, there is no clear place to take their pet when death happens. Many pet owners do not have access to a backyard or a piece of land for a final resting place.

Read More: It's Never Easy to Say Goodbye to A Family Pet

That's what was great about the Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare: they offered a place to take animals after their passing, and they would properly dispose of their bodies.

However, the City of Amarillo announced on Friday, September 26, 2025, that it would be closing its deceased animal depository.

Why Did Amarillo Close the Pet Depository?

The director of the Animal Management and Welfare said the decision to close the depository was to protect living animals and to remove any unnecessary health and safety risks for the staff and public.

Read More: New AI Tool Helps Amarillo Pet Owners Find Their Lost Pets Faster

Health and Safety Concerns Explained

The AAMW said that the depository caused many risks.

• Some animals were left unbagged, creating serious sanitation issues.
• There was a risk of contamination and disease transmission to live animals and employees.
• In some cases, people illegally dumped live animals at the site.
• The site added extra costs and hazards to daily operations.
• Most importantly, living animals must take priority over deceased animals.

Losing a pet is hard, and stressing about what to do with a pet after they pass adds additional stress to the pet owner, knowing that they do not have a place to put their pet in death.

What Options Do Amarillo Pet Owners Have Now?

The AAMW suggests that after your pet passes, you will need to double-bag their bodies and place them in the dumpster or take them to the city landfill. If that doesn’t feel right for you, talk with your veterinarian about other options to lay your pet to rest. Amarillo also has several places that will provide aftercare for your precious pet, which include cremation or a final resting place.  You can find a list of those below.