I would want to know, and I would go dig up the bones to rebury my friend.

Maybe offer to bury, but don't do it yet?

It's a kind gesture on your part, OP. More than I suspect most would do. Thank you.

Yes you tell the owner. I would want to know if it was my dog.
I personally would want specifics but not everyone would so you can be vague about the description unless they ask.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CALL THE OWNER. Do not show pictures and do not give details on state of deceased. "Theodore apparently passed some time ago, in a peaceful manner".

That's what I would want, OP.

OP here. I wasn’t sure I should get detailed in the post, but—warning—it doesn’t look like it was a peaceful death, according to my DH. I emphasize “really bad shape”.

I know. But the quote is what you tell the owner. And I forgot to mention that yes, you bury it, and let them know you're fine with them digging their beloved pet back up to rebury somewhere else. The burial will hasten decomposition and hopefully hide any signs of violent death. Most people, OP, when a corpse is far gone, cannot tell at all how the deceased met their end. What looks like a violent death could just have been decomposition and little critters disturbing the remains. And vice versa: some violent deaths are surprisingly clean-looking (spine snapped, for example).

OP here. Thanks everyone. My BIL is going to call the number. Is it too late to call tonight?

I would want to know.

I would tell them (agree with pp no photos) and let them choose. If it were my cat, I would probably want to see the cat to make sure it was mine, even though it would be disturbing. Otherwise I would always wonder.

Anonymous wrote:I would rather know my animal had died than think it is out there in the cold wandering around.

This. I had a cat get lost and I still wonder what happened to it 40 years later. Cats often leave home to die alone.

Anonymous wrote:CALL THE OWNER. Do not show pictures and do not give details on state of deceased. "Theodore apparently passed some time ago, in a peaceful manner".

That's what I would want, OP.

OP here. I wasn’t sure I should get detailed in the post, but—warning—it doesn’t look like it was a peaceful death, according to my DH. I emphasize “really bad shape”.

Anonymous wrote:I’d tell the family that’s missing it that you found it and buried it. Sure they’ll be happy to know what happened to it.

This. Spare them. If your wife hadn’t seen that the cat was missing, you’d probably just do this anyway.

CALL THE OWNER. Do not show pictures and do not give details on state of deceased. "Theodore apparently passed some time ago, in a peaceful manner".

That's what I would want, OP.

Anonymous wrote:I would rather know my animal had died than think it is out there in the cold wandering around.

Only it was…

I’d tell the family that’s missing it that you found it and buried it. Sure they’ll be happy to know what happened to it.

I would definitely want to know and would want to bury it mysekf

I would rather know my animal had died than think it is out there in the cold wandering around.

Asking for my sister and BIL. *May be triggering to animal lovers, as it involves a deceased pet.

My BIL just went behind his garage with my husband with a wheelbarrow to refill the closer-to-the-house wood stack. While back there, they found a really dead orange cat, not in great shape. My sister announced that she remembers that earlier in December someone was looking for an orange cat that had gotten out by accident. Based on pictures, BIL and DH think it’s definitely the cat.

My sister thinks they should just lovingly dispose of the cat since it’s in really bad shape. She surmises that the owners can continue to imagine whatever likely nicer scenario they have in their heads for what happened to their cat. If they come to retrieve the cat as is, they’ll be devastated and left with images burned into their minds. As a pet owner myself, I sort of agree.

My BIL thinks they absolutely must call the owner to come and get their missing cat.

What says DCUM?