The dreaded day has come. You knew it would, but you tried not to think about it. Now it’s time to say goodbye to your precious cat.
The human-pet bond is an important part of our lives. Letting go and saying goodbye are equally important. After all, your cat has been your friend and companion, and it has loved you unconditionally. Sadly, pet mortality is an inevitability we must face. Creating a lasting memorial, however, might ease the pain and transition of saying goodbye.
“The best reason for preplanning is to minimize your stress,” says Jennifer Unkle, a counselor at Resthaven Memorial Gardens Inc. in Frederick, Md. As your cat nears the end of its life, it’s unlikely you’ll want to spend your time making decisions you’re your pet’s final resting place. Preplanning what you will do when the time comes allows you to devote your final moments with your pet to mourn and say goodbye.
What is available for our pets? Pet funerals are growing in popularity among pet owners. For some, a simple burial in the backyard will suffice as long as there is no city ordinance against it. Others might choose a funeral service complete with casket, headstone, keepsakes and a final resting place. Ron Lauver, president of the National Association of Pet Funeral Directors says, “Four out of 5 pet owners choose cremation over burial.”
According to the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories (IAOPCC), there are more than 600 active pet cemeteries in the United States offering varying degrees of service. To decide what is right for you, your family and your pet, you must ask some important questions.
**For the full article, check out the September 2007 issue of CAT FANCY.**