There are several options for aftercare of your pet’s remains. If time allows, we encourage you to consider them prior to the euthanasia visit, when decision making will be clearer. This is a very personal decision that may have practical, spiritual, or financial considerations. You should choose the option that you feel best preserves the memory of your pet. Just remember that there is no right or wrong choice, only what feels best for you.
1) Cremation
There is individual or communal cremation. With individual cremation, your pet is cremated alone and ashes are returned to you in an urn. With communal cremation, your pet is cremated with other pets and ashes are scattered.
Our individual cremations undergo a process called Aquamation, or Alkaline Hydrolysis. It is the combination of gentle water flow and alkalinity to accelerate the natural process of tissue breakdown that would occur if you buried your pet. The only solid remains (~20% more retained than with fire cremation) are the mineral ash of the bones which are softer and lighter in color, similar in appearance to a fine grain sand. Aquamation uses a fraction of the energy and cuts carbon dioxide emissions by 90%. The remaining liquid is a sterile, EPA neutral solution of amino acids, peptides, and sugars that is also suitable for use as fertilizer.
If you select cremation, we will transport your pet after they pass. For pets over 40 pounds of weight, we will need assistance in carrying your pet to our vehicle. If you are not physically or emotionally able to assist, please let us know when scheduling the appointment so we can arrange an assistant to be present.
We offer various Urns and Keepsakes
It takes approximately 2-3 weeks for your pet’s ashes to be ready for pick-up from our Beverlywood office. We will contact you with information on scheduling a pick-up time. If you ordered keepsakes only, those will be ready in 3 days. If you prefer to send a courier service, we can help coordinate.
If there is an aftercare company that you would prefer to use, you would need to arrange pick-up of your pet from your home or transport your pet to their facility.