That sounds terrible, Birdpoo! I would never have thought they send the pets to landfills, that seems very heartbreaking. I guess they figure they do not matter as much as people do and are not treated with the same respect. That is really sad to think about though. The cremation thing is what my Vet has always done for us. I did not realize it was just that my family and I have been lucky though, guess I should be sure to thank my Vet next time I see her! She would do it free and always offered for us to keep the ashes and everything, I honestly thought that was just normal routine for vet offices to do.
I had a cousin that did not want to pay for the burial so when there pet died they just buried the dog in the backyard. I don't think that is technically legal to do though (Not positive just what I have heard.) But at least he got the burial he deserved for being a wonderful pet for all those years.