After the euthanasia procedure, you may choose a cremation, aquamation or a home burial for your pet. Your companion can either be gently cremated with other pets in a communal cremation/aquamation, or individually in a private cremation/independent aquamation where their ashes are returned to you.
In a communal cremation, your companion will be cremated simultaneously alongside other pets. Due to the nature of this service, no ashes will be returned to you. Instead, your pet’s ashes will be transported to a private ranch in Anton, CO where they will be respectfully spread.
With a private cremation, you can rest assured that your companion will be the only one in the chamber, so that you will receive only their ashes. Due to the very high temperatures used in traditional flame-based cremation (approximately 1800° F), all organic parts of your pet will be converted into carbon dioxide, leaving behind the mineralized skeleton. The remaining bones and teeth are then processed into “cremains” – a course, gray to white ash that will be returned to you. The only thing remaining after cremation are any metal surgical implants, such as plates from fracture repairs and TPLO procedures, or metal joints such as from a total hip replacement. These implants can be returned to you with your pet’s ashes or they can be disposed of by the crematory.
One of seven standard urns are included with our cremation service, but additional urns and memorabilia can be purchased from our partners at Lasting Paws Pet Memorial Services. Examples of our seven standard urns will be brought to your appointment for you to see and feel. For a photo of these urns, please see our Pricing or Home Page. Up to 3 lines of laser etching can also be added to your urn, such as your pet’s name, their birth-death dates, or a short message. Alternatively, you can also opt to receive your pet’s ashes back in a soft silk pouch.
The private cremation process usually takes 1 to 1.5 weeks. For clients in Cheyenne, we are more than happy to deliver your friend’s ashes back to your home. Clients in Laramie County or surrounding areas in Wyoming may pick up their pet’s ashes in Cheyenne. Clients in Northern Colorado may find it more convenient to pick up ashes directly from Lasting Paws’ crematory located at 27292 County Road 13 #27, Johnstown, CO 80534. Ashes can also be mailed back to your home for an additional fee.
An independent cremation is very similar to a private cremation. Your pet will be cremated simultaneously alongside other animals in the same chamber, but will be separated by a metal barrier. This barrier ensures that your companion’s ashes stay totally separated from the ashes of other pets. The only thing your pet will share with the others is fire and air – the end result is the exact same as a private cremation. Because multiple pets are cremated at once, we are able to offer you this service at a discount compared to a private cremation. As with a private cremation, your friend’s ashes will be available for return in as little as one week’s time.
For cremation pricing, click here.
Home burial can be a great way to keep your pet at home with you after their passing, if you are able to do so safely and in accordance with local regulations. Some guidelines to follow when burying are:
Pets can also be buried in one of several local pet cemeteries:
Please give us a call regarding availability of plots.
We and our partners at Guardian Pet Aquamation are pleased to offer you a body care option called aquamation, an alternative to traditional flame-based cremation. Aquamation may also be referred to as alkaline hydrolysis, water reduction, bio-cremation, green cremation or flame-less cremation. The process consists of placing your pet’s body in a stainless-steel tank with separate compartments. Your pet will then be submerged in a mixture of hot water (~200°F) and potassium hydroxide, a strong base (alkali). Gentle agitation over the course of around 20 hours converts all organic solids to liquid. Then, the tank is drained and all that remains is the mineralized skeleton. After a drying process, the bones are further processed into ash. The resulting “ashes” will have a slight green hue and faint chemical scent from the potassium hydroxide, but are otherwise identical to flame cremated ashes. One advantage is that more of your pet’s ashes are preserved (up to 20% more) with aquamation, as some inorganic remains are lost through the smokestack during flame cremation. Surgical hardware is also able to recovered completely intact, as there are no flames to damage them. Aquamation releases fewer emissions and uses 90% fewer fossil fuels than flame-based cremation, so it is viewed by some as a more environmentally friendly option for those who are looking to minimize their ecological footprint. Aquamation simply mimics the natural decomposition process used by nature.
Similar to flame cremation, you may opt for an individual aquamation to receive your companion’s ashes back in an urn, or a communal aquamation where their ashes will be gently spread alongside those of other animals. Individual aquamation differs from a private cremation in that multiple pets are in the same chamber at once, but are separated by barriers. This produces the same end result as a private cremation – only your pet’s ashes being returned to you. At this time, private aquamation is not available.
As with our cremation service, individual aquamation typically takes 1-1.5 weeks to complete. We are more than happy to offer local delivery of ashes to clients in Cheyenne. For clients in surrounding areas, pick up of ashes can be arranged in Cheyenne or directly at Guardian Pet Aquamation’s facility at 1122 N Denver Ave, Loveland, CO 80537. For more information about this service, please visit http://guardianpetaquamation.com/what-is-aquamation/.
A home-made claw paw print is provided complimentary to you during your euthanasia appointment. This paw print is made fresh and is given to you unbaked in a protective bag. Baking instructions listed on the back of the bag are as follows:
We are more than happy to accommodate requests for other keepsakes such as fur clipping, photos or any other way that you would like to memorialize your pet. Ask us about an ink paw print or nose print!
