Pet Preservation
Having my own furry and feathered family, and founding a rescue, I understand how sacred the bond is between companions and their guardians. Though many professional taxidermists decline pets, my personal experiences with the devastation of loss have resonated deeply - I understand the importance of personal rituals and dignified aftercare. Our more than human kin bring affection, healing, and so much more to our lives, and their loss can cause one of the loneliest forms of grief. In providing pet taxidermy and memorial services, I seek to honor the memory of your beloved with love, compassion, and the unique character that makes your companion unlike any other. Services offered include traditional taxidermy, soft fur preservation, skull and bone cleaning, paw impressions and nose casts, eco-friendly aquamation, and much more based on your wishes.
Before contacting me to arrange for a consultation, please read this page, the terms and conditions, and the shipping page, to answer many commonly asked questions about pricing, storage, and more.
As this is an incredibly significant personal decision, please take time to mourn and care for yourself.
Please note I am not a 24/7 service like a funeral home-inquiries will be answered within a few days, all estimates and consultations are done via email so that I can serve as many families as possible. I am located in NYC, but serve clients from all over the US.
Scroll below for preparation tips, price list, and shipping info.
If you are contacting me for a consultation, please provide your pet’s species, size/weight, age, and condition
If you arrived here because your pet has passed and you are not sure what to do, please put your pet in the freezer, wrapped in plastic.
Nose Cast
Ink Paw Prints
Nose Cast & Ink Nose Print
Whisker Collection
Microchip Collection
Clay Paw Prints
Preparing for Pet Preservation
Though we may not always want to think of the sad day, having a plan in place can help things go much smoother. It can be incredibly overwhelming, even traumatic, to prepare for your pet’s aftercare in the moment. Below are a few points covering the most frequently asked questions.
If you arrived here because your pet has passed and you are not sure what to do, please put your pet in the freezer, wrapped in plastic.
Support
Consider your support network. Get in touch with friends and family that you can rely on to help with preparation for aftercare, whether it’s having supplies on hand, freezer space, or someone who will make sure you don’t forget to drink enough water. You may also want to ask someone to accompany you on the drop off and pick-up days. Make your veterinarian aware of your aftercare plans. Though home burials are not an option in many cities, most vets will release the remains to families to make private arrangements. Many vets offer in-home end of life services, or can make a referral.
Counseling
Professional grief counseling may also be helpful, whether through your existing therapist, a grief hotline, or a professional specializing in the human-animal bond and coping with pet grief & loss. There are also Death Cafe’s and Death Positive groups who have virtual and in person meetings, there may be one in your area. Here is a link to Google Doc that I try to update regularly with links to various resources, including virtual support, in-person counseling, books, social media accounts, and more - Click here to view.
Ritual
Your companion animal is part of your family, and you may choose to honor them with culturally appropriate traditions and rituals. Whether you have a lavish wake, or a simple kiss goodbye, last rites are a meaningful way to mark their transition and reflect on the what you shared. There is no right or wrong way to do this, many people experience closure differently.
Storage
For your companion to stay safe and viable for taxidermy, please be sure to keep them frozen. When your pet passes, you may not be ready to do this immediately, so you can keep them with you using towels or wee pads to catch bodily fluids that may be released as muscles relax. You may notice them stiffen, however they will ease up again in about 24 hours. As long as your pet is frozen within a few hours of passing, they will be viable for preservation. The amount of time varies based on size, environmental factors, and your pet’s health - generally, a small bird may have 1-2 hours before they must be frozen, where a larger cat, you may have 6-8 hours. Most clients use their home freezer, though some vets offer their medical freezers. Before freezing, please wrap them. Wrappings can consist of their favorite sheets and blankets for comfort, and sealed plastic outside of this for protection. Your beloved will need additional wrappings if they are being shipped to me, please read the shipping section. To learn more about how to care for your pet preserved pet, please read the FAQ
Transport
If you are local to NYC, you can transport your pet to me in Brooklyn, either directly from the vet or once they have been frozen and wrapped. Most clients use a towel lined box or carrier, or a cooler. If your commute to me will be shorter than 4 hours, you likely don’t need additional insulation for larger pets, but it’s not a bad idea to have a few ice packs for unexpected delays in transport. If you are taking a car service, consider the most courteous, comfortable, and secure way to ride with your companion. If you are shipping your companion to me, please be sure to read the section on shipping.
The Process
Due to the complex process involved in accurately replicating the details of your pet, the pet preservation process can take anywhere from 6-15 months. Taxidermy is a representative interpretation of your pet in one still moment. We will work together to memorialize your pet in an appropriate manner. Please be advised that there are limits- for example, even the best custom made glass eyes will never capture the same depth and complexity as a living eye, especially for a companion that you’ve known for decades. Please take all the time you need to consider whether taxidermy is right for you, its also a good idea to read the FAQ to get an idea of maintenance and other relevant topics. I am happy to answer any other questions.
Terms and Conditions for Pet Preservation
Please take all the time you need to process the loss of your companion - when properly wrapped and stored frozen, your pet can remain viable for up to one year. Pet preservation is a major decision emotionally and financially, you do not need to feel rushed! Take as much time as you need to grieve, process, and coordinate logistical and financial details. Click below to read the terms and conditions contract I work with in order to create a positive client experience while respecting personal and professional boundaries. If you would like to proceed with pet preservation, please follow the instructions in the contract. Any clients working with me are presumed to have read and agreed to this contract.
Pet Preservation Price List
Please note these are approximate starting prices only - they do not include the cost of shipping, displays, or additional adornments. For a price quote for your pet, please email me with the size, weight, age, and condition of your pet.
Skull and Bone Cleaning-Starts at $200 (skull) and $500 (bones)
Floral dome displays-Starts at $400 for small domes (4x7), larger domes priced by size and complexity
Skeletal articulation-ONLY For birds and/or very small mammals, starts at $650
Fur/Coat Preservation-Starts at $400
Taxidermy - Small Birds start at $600, Rodents and small mammals start at $800, Cats start at $4000
Memorial Items - Paw Prints in clay start at $40, Ink prints start at $20.
Paw and/or tail preservation $200 - Whisker collecting $40 - Microchip collecting $40.
Tooth and/or Claw cleaning $50 - Fur clippings $30 - Nose, paw, or partial casts $100+
Eco-friendly Aquamation - Please note I do not run a facility. I work with NYC Compassionate Care. I do not add add any charges for these services-once the initial processing for preservation is complete, the client pays the facility directly, I arrange for pickup, and the ashes are returned to you from the crematory.
Please contact me to discuss payment plans.