In most natural disasters, particularly in rural areas the number of animal deaths are very high, especially in residential areas, due to the fact that most domesticated animals are kept tied up, and in the event of a disaster while the people flee urgently, the animals left tied up have no chance of voluntary escape. As a result, they often perish.
Disposal of dead animals is as important as that of humans because decaying dead bodies can be a potential health and environment threat. Still, this aspect is usually accorded lower priority, more so in case of stray animals. The rescuers are not willing to handle animal carcasses. Yet, this must be done expeditiously by local volunteers till the authorities take charge and get the carcasses disposed.
Disposal is best done by burial, at some place outside the inhabited areas. At such times, nobody should be allowed to hold on to the dead bodies for extraction of hides or bones or any other recoverable material, because the health threat is very high, and quickest disposal of the dead bodies is desirable. While burying the carcass, quick lime should be added as it will hasten the process and control the spread of any possible infection.