Pet preservation is the method of
freeze-drying your deceased pet.
The Pet Freeze-Drying Process
The trained professional, usually a
taxidermist first removes all the internal organs and body fat from your pet. In some cases the body must be filled out with artificial fillers to compensate for the dehydration. False eyes, usually custom made glass eyes in exact matching colour are inserted into the sockets to prevent a sunken look. Your pet is then put inside a special freeze drying sealed chamber with a very low temperature to produce a vacuum application.
All the moisture is removed and the tissue remains unaltered. This way its avoids decay.
As time goes by frozen moisture
will convert into a gaseous like state and will be extracted
away from the chamber. The procedure is called lyophilization.
Pet owners are asked to provide their pet’s picture so as the operator can recreate an appearance and pose as close to lifelike as is possible. The choice of pose needs to be decided on prior to laying
the pet inside the chamber. Pets can be posed with eyes open or closed, an extended paw or a skyward gaze. A sleeping or lying down posture is the more natural appearance and is more cost effective. Your pet will weigh significantly less on completion.
How Long will This Take?
Generally the whole procedure will take 8 to 12 weeks for small mammals and up to 5 to 10 months for larger ones. 
After this period your pet shall be returned to you at room temperature and remain in that condition indefinitely.
Preparation of Deceased Pet
It is advisable and important that
less than 24 hours after your pet has died that its placed inside a sealed plastic bag and put inside a standard freezer preferably in a curled up position.
Your pet needs to be shipped by overnight express courier to the facility.
It is imperative that it doesn’t thaw as it becomes spoiled.
Aftercare Of Your Pet
Your preserved pet must be kept away from direct heat, intense sunlight, heaters of any kind, fireplaces and areas of high humidity. Other than that all it needs is a light dusting down and wipe down with a slightly damp cloth.
It can be held, carried, transported and gently petted. This is the closest thing to having your pet still with and beside you without the animation of course.
Immortalizing Your Pet, The Cost
Depending on your chosen service provider you can expect to pay between $850 and $1,200 for a pet under 10 pounds weight. Pricing is estimated on size and weight so thereby something bigger and heavier would cost significantly more.
Where Is Pet Freeze-Drying Service Offered?
Its unclear but it may number less that 30 worlds wide. Pet owners want perfection. They have a tendency to scrutinise every fine detail to seek out any imperfection or flaw. These services may feel as though they cannot live up to the high standards expected therefore many conventional taxidermists don’t provide this service. This is expected to change over the coming years.
Is Freeze-Drying Pets After Death Common?
It appears as thought this practice is becoming increasingly more popular but still vastly in the minority. Elderly people who do not intent getting another pet are the most likely to have it done. Also a trend is developing in the celebrity world to keep their dead pets around.
Summary
We all love and adore our pets and are in a state of devastation when they pass on. That spontaneous nudge of a wet nose or a lick of the hand. The over joyous leap and frantic tail wagging on greeting us at the door. We know their every idiosyncrasy, we talk to them and feel as though they are listening to us. They give us a lift on days we are sad and low. They make us feel wanted and special when others may have doubted or deserted us. The emotional bond created can be very strong and intense and want it to last forever.
It is however a fact of life that our pets have a relatively short life compared to humans. It is not unusual for the average person or average family household to own a number or numerous pets throughout a lifespan. When a human, pet or any creature that you dearly care for dies, general convention follows and we bury or cremate the body. Over time then the great wounds of loss and sadness slowly dissipate.
For some people letting go can be too painful to contemplate so they want the unique feeling that holding on to the physical remains gives them. Looking at and touching their pet still provides that lasting attachment and comfort.
My Opinion
For some this could be a controversial subject even bordering on taboo.
Personally I would not get a pet preserved by freeze-drying and even following the after care maintenance seems more akin to dealing with an ornament or trophy. To me its a tad on the eerie side.
What are your thoughts on this? Would you take this unorthodox approach to memorize your pet?
This is a very interesting article. I see this as a way for someone’s pet to live forever rather than just burying or cremating it. I would like to learn more about this and I will read more of your content in the future. Excellent job!
Thanks for your comment
that’s quite interesting to me that you are on the side of pet preservation.
Oliver
Oliver,
Most interesting article. I had not given much thought to this question and I have not really given any thought to this process, I have lost a lot of my four legs Family and usually do a burial here on my property. I do not think it to be a healthy or natural way to honor my passed Friends.
Thanks for the thoughts, and add me to the No side of the question.
Sanders
Hi Saunders,
Yes I sense that many people have not considered this option, that may change a lot over the next several years.
Oliver
I’ve only had one pet that passed when I was a teenager, and I can’t imagine having him go through this process.
I’m not judging anyone who thinks otherwise, but looking at him standing still as a statue wouldn’t make me feel any better.
Pet animal preservation is definitely not for me.
Thanks for sharing though. I enjoyed reading and learning about this.
Hi Eliane,
Thanks for your comment and opinion on this, yes its not for everyone but as the saying goes – each to their own
Oliver
This is very interesting. When my dog passes away I plan on cremation. I know there are a ton of service out there that make things for you out of the ashes. I have seen bracelets and such. What would you suggest if someone wanted to go that route?
Hi Amanda,
The array of keepsakes that are available today are vast.
It all depends on what you feel it fitting, whether that is something you can wear, ie -necklace, bracelet or a pin, key chain, it comes down to personal choice.
Oliver
This is interesting, but i don’t think i would do that to my lovely dog if he past away. Sometimes, to learn how to say goodbye is to grow. I can understand why some people would do this, especially elderly people, i wouldn’t want to feel alone either honestly.
I think there are better ways to honor our furry friend, but i also respect people and their choices.
Thanks so much for this interesting article.
Hello Ileana,
Thank you for comment
yes letting go and moving forward no matter how dramatic it can be is part and parcel of life but just like you said,we cannot be judgemental and must respect everyone’s choices.
A very thought provoking article. I had never thought about this nor did I know it was possible. I’m sorry but I find the idea just a little creepy. You will have to put me on the no side as well, but a very informative article for those who would. To each is own I guess
Hi Taianne,
yes I agree, as the saying goes – different strokes for different folks
Oliver
Hi Oliver,
I don’t have a pet myself but I do have family members and and some friends with pets who may or may not find this article beneficial.
Their pets aren’t on their way out or anything but it’s something they could consider in the future. I’m not sure if they will thank me for passing this on though 🙂
Really good and thorough article and well thought out.
All the best and keep up the good work,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Yes, this is not for everybody but at least by making them aware that this procedure is available it gives them another option in the aftermath of a pet’s death.
Oliver
Hi Oliver
We don’t have a pet any more our dog which was an Airedale died about 4 years ago. We have about an acre and a half, we just whent far out back and buried him.
Even if I’d known this procedure was available, I would not want that big Airedale staring at me, kind of spooky I think preservation is definitely not for me.
Although very interesting subject
Hi Orlando,
Yes I consider it a little abnormal to be honest but we must refrain from judgement. If their choice lifts them from a dark place in their lives and makes them feel better well then that can be a positive.
Oliver
amen to that
Well, I would have never thought of this. I guess if this is something a person wants to do to immortalize their pet, well, go for it.
The costs seems high , $800-$1000, but if this helps with the grief process, then good.
Interesting and unique article.
Hi Don,
thanks for your thoughts, yea its not a cheap option but decisions of this nature where dear loved ones and emotional bonds are concerned should never be based on money.
Oliver
This is an extremely interesting article, Oliver, but the idea of doing this strikes me as pretty bizarre and morbid. I have had to say goodbye to many dear pets over the years–most of them larger dogs–and it’s always heart-wrenching for a while. But those things you really miss–like the nudge on your elbow, or the bark behind the kitchen door after you pulled up into the garage–could never be replaced by an empty outer shell of your pet. For me, it was more healing to try to get interested in something new and unrelated to my pet for awhile, and then after several months had passed I could begin to remember him/her again without so much distress.
Hi Abbee,
Yes I do agree with you. Having an inanimate object as a representative for what was a sentient life force would not be fitting in my view.
As you say something to find as a distraction in the aftermath of a death can be a way to ease the pain.
Oliver
Very interesting topic. I had no idea that this was even a “thing” but why not? I could not do this to a pet, as the ones that I have had that I cared deeply for, and I could not imagine doing this to them. I can see how other people might, and to each his own.
Would this be considered a next step up to taxidermy? And if so, what do you think is the next step after that?
Hi Irma,
Yes I would consider this an advancement [if its appropriate to say that] on taxidermy. I mean the business of taxidermy dates back roughly 250 years.
The next step is cryogenics, maybe more applicable to humans but probably pets too, but that’s a subject for another day.
Oliver
Just last week I heard of someone that loved her dog so dearly and the pain of loosing him was so strong, that she decided to “preserve” him. I didn’t know what that meant until I read your article. I personally would not do it, just like I didn’t want to cremate my cat (to me it feels creepy having a dead body in the house whether it is in ashes or frozen). However, I’m happy that such services do exist since some people have a really hard time loosing their pets. Thanks so much for all the details in your post.
Hi Carmen,
Some people need the physical object in their possession as assurance and peace of mind while others may be abhorred by it.
Oliver
I can appreciate how people who deeply love their pets would want to preserve their pets through freezing drying. I can see how industry professionals take professional care and due diligence to ensure that the pets are respectfully frozen. This will really help owners who don’t like the idea of cremating or burring their pets. This is a lovely service. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Glenys,
Yes, some people consider this as a very personalized way of honouring their precious companions. For the pet owners who are comforted by the physical presence and want to see and touch their pets every day then this is a satisfactory option to take.
Oliver
Oh my I could never consider doing such a thing to my best friend and companion I am living with right now, I am sure I would feel much worse having him preserved in such a manner. Do people actually do this to their deceased pets, I just think this is horrible idea.
Hi Jeff,
Yes people are definitely doing this, there is demand for it as can be proved by the number of freeze-drying facilities that exist.
Oliver
Hi, Oliver
I have just read the article and also watched the video. I have buried all of my cats and dogs on my property. The property sits on an acre so there is ample space. There is a little stone or cross for each one. I had thought of cloning my dog who passed last summer but never went through with it.
I am sure this is for some people but I could not bear to look at my deceased pet, day in and day out, and having them put through that process even though they would not feel it. I’m not one in favor of freeze-drying one of my beloved pets.
Thank you for sharing this information!
Cathy
Hi Cathy,
Well I would say you are fortunate enough to have plenty ground space to bury your precious pets. I’m glad for you. That is extremely interesting to hear about your thoughts on cloning. This is the very first time I’ve ever heard anybody mention cloning of a pet. That’s intriguing to me.
Oliver