Austin Resource Recovery collection staff will remove dead animals from the public right of way within two business days of notification.
Collection guidelines
Austin residents who pay the clean community fee can call 3-1-1 or use our online form to request a dead animal pick up from the curb or public right of way.
- If the dead animal is small (such as a mouse, bird, turtle, etc.), it can be bagged and placed into the trash cart.
- Dead animals are not accepted in the compost cart.
- The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) handles dead animals located on farm-to-market, ranch-to-market, state, U.S. and interstate highways. If the dead animal is on one of those roadways, please contact TXDOT directly at (512) 974-0883 or submit a request.
Dead livestock removal
Austin Resource Recovery cannot collect livestock. According to the City of Austin Code, livestock means a horse, mule, jack, jennet, cow, bull steer, hog, pig, swine, sheep or goat, other than a miniature breed. Customers should contact the county in which they reside for dead livestock removal:
Loss of a personal pet
If your pet has died, you may wish to call your veterinarian or a pet crematory instead. However, if your pet is not considered livestock per the City of Austin Code we can collect it from the curb if you wish to request a collection. We are sorry for your loss.