Question 1

What can I expect after my pet passes, how is the body cared for?

Accepted Answer

As we make the decision for euthanasia, we must also decide how to care for the body afterward. There are burial and cremation options.  Burial: Burial is prohibited inside the city limits. There are established pet cemeteries where you may choose to bury your pet. County regulations exist outside of the city limits, please check with your local officials regarding these laws.  Cremation (private, partitioned, or communal): We will personally transport your pet’s body to our crematory located at 573 25 Road in Grand Junction. Private cremations are chosen when the family wishes to have only their pet in the cremation unit when being cremated making for a truly private cremation. Pets privately cremated are returned to the family in a standard urn. Partitioned or commonly known as individual cremations are usually chosen as a slightly less expensive option. The family will still receive the ashes however other pets are partitioned adjacent to your pet during the cremation and are cremated at the same time. Communal cremations are group cremations where your pet’s body will be cremated together with several other pets without being partitioned and the ashes will be scattered on a field, river bank or scatter garden designated for this purpose.

Question 2

When is the right time to get another pet?

Accepted Answer

There is no right or wrong time to get another pet. Just as grief is a personal experience, the decision to bring another pet into the home is also a personal one. You may decide to get a young pet or rescue one or not get another one at all. We are here to help you in this decision if after your pet has passed you still have questions. For example, you may not be ready for another pet but you feel that the other pet still in your home would benefit from adding a pet to your home and help them in their grieving process. As these decisions can ultimately only be yours, we are here to help you talk out ideas and offer suggestions that you may not have thought about. Please call anytime with questions related to this topic as questions requiring guidance with decision making are free of charge as long as medical advice is not needed.

Question 3

What do I do if my pet dies when the crematory is closed?

Accepted Answer

In the event your pet passes naturally or by euthanasia outside of normal crematory business hours, you are always welcome to call us at 970-250-8493 and be ready to leave a message regarding your situation. If your pet passed at home you will need to either keep you pet stored in a cool area until we can visit your home on our next business day OR transport your pet to the Animal ER of the Western Slope at 1660 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501. We provide cremation services for the Animal ER so your pet will be safe with them until we are able to transport your pet to our facility for cremation. If you transport your pet elsewhere for holding and still wish they be cremated with us, please print off this form & take it with you. We will pick up your deceased pet from any clinic or hospital even if we don't have current arrangements to do so.  Your pet will remain in custody with the veterinary hospital or the Animal ER until our next business day. Please let the Animal ER know of any keepsakes you wish to have. If you have special keepsake wishes, it is imperative you contact us directly on our next business day so we can make arrangements for these keepsakes to be made. We will be gentle with your pet and believe they should be respected just as much in death as they are in life. Thank you for allowing us to help during this difficult time.

Question 4

What is the difference between a private cremation and individual cremations?

Accepted Answer

A private cremation means that there is only one pet in the cremation chamber and the cremated remains are returned to the client. A private cremation may include viewing of the cremation by the client during what we call an attended or witnessed cremation.  Individual cremations means that there are several pets in the cremation chamber at one time. These cremations are separated by trays, refractory bricks and/or space. Many people are led to believe that individual cremations are the same as a private cremation and this is not true.

Question 5

What happens to my pet if I choose communal cremation?

Accepted Answer

Communal cremation is a choice for some pet parents when burial is not an option but yet it is not their wish to receive the cremated remains back. Pets communally cremated are not separated and their mixed ashes are scattered together at a chosen place. A different place is chosen each time a scattering is scheduled.

Question 6

How can I be sure my pet is being returned to me?

Accepted Answer

We provide an unprecedented level of transparency regarding all of our operations, procedures, policies, and identification tracking system. Our tracking system traces your pet through every step of the cremation process which allows us to give you comfort, assurance and confidence in your pet's care during such a difficult time. First, proper identification is established before a pet is removed from a home, clinic or pet hospital. Secondly, a paper identification tag with your name as well as your pet’s name is placed with your pet and stays close to your pet at all times being placed outside the cremation unit during the cremation process. Thirdly, a numbered metal tag is assigned to your pet, recorded on their paper ID tag and accompanies your pet through the entire cremation process. This stainless steel metal tag will not be destroyed during the cremation so it can be found among the cremated remains.

Question 7

When will my pet be returned to me?

Accepted Answer

Cremations are returned in about a week (7-10 days). Attended or witnesses cremations may go home the same day. Nevertheless, rest assured, as soon as your pet is ready to return home we will notify you as soon as possible.

Pet Euthanasia
Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Pet EuthanasiaFrequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Pet Euthanasia
Frequently Asked Questions