Deciding what to do with your pet’s body after euthanasia is a very personal decision, and there are many options to consider. Initially, you will have to decide between home burial and cremation. Sometimes, people prefer to make all their arrangements for burial or cremation, though most commonly, we are asked to assist by transporting your pet for cremation.
Home Burial
While our veterinary team cannot assist with burial preparations, we can assist in moving your pet’s body to the burial location if it is on the same property where the euthanasia occurs. We respectfully request that you let us know if you will need assistance before we arrive at your appointment.
Before deciding on home burial, you should check local codes/regulations in your area.
Cremation
We can coordinate with you to arrange for cremation services. We can respectfully transport your pet’s body in a soft wrap or blanket to our office, where it will then be placed into the care of our cremation partner, Family Animal Services.
The cost of cremation services can be found on our Fees Page. The prices listed there include us gently removing your cat’s body from your home in a dignified and thoughtful manner.
If we are arranging cremation for you, you will need to decide between communal/general cremation, and private/individual cremation.
Communal cremation is the more affordable option, and many families choose this option when they don’t feel the need to have ashes returned to them. Often their photos are enough, or they may have other plans to memorialize their beloved cats.
Private (or Individual) cremation is the option chosen when families decide they would like to have their cat’s ashes available to keep or spread afterwards. The ashes are returned from Family Animal Services in a beautiful carved wooden box. People may choose to pick up the ashes from Family Animal Services in far NE Portland, or alternatively, to pick them up from our office in Tigard. Other arrangements can be made if desired, such as shipping from Family Animal Services directly to your home, or even delivery by our team (for additional fees).
There are many artful and beautiful ways to memorialize your cat. We can give you some ideas if you’d like - we have seen many creative and lovely things people have done over the years.
Keepsakes
We are honored to make little ink paw prints or clip a keepsake portion of your cat’s fur, if you’d like (complimentary services). We can also arrange for Family Animal Services to make a clay paw print of your cat’s paw if that seems appropriate ($45).
There are no “wrong” ways to deal with aftercare - each family has their own values and resources to consider and it is a private decision. We can help you if you’d like, or you may make your own arrangements in your own time and ways. We support you with whatever you need at this difficult time.