Aftercare
As part of Dr. Maggie’s service, the following aftercare options are available to you. These options will be discussed with you during your pre-appointment conversations with our Care Team. However, if you should have any last moment concerns, Dr. Maggie will be there to answer them for you at the time of your appointment.
Cremation
Dr. Maggie has partnered with Austin Pet Meadow to provide her clients with exceptional aftercare.
Pet Meadow is a family owned and operated business that began in 1998. Their facilities are accredited by the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories (IAOPCC). This means that they are held to 240 standards of best practices, which reflect the latest developments and improvements in the industry and are regularly inspected to ensure that they continue to uphold these standards.
Compassionate Pet Vet provides its clients with the following aftercare services:
- Coordination of your aftercare wishes to Pet Meadow, ensuring that they have your pet’s information entered correctly into their tracking system.that your pet will be respectfully and gently handled at all times.
- Logistical coordination for a seamless and respectful transport* of your beloved friend from your care into the care of Pet Meadow at no charge.
- 24/7 access to your owner portal with Pet Meadow. This allows for individual tracking of your pet (chain of custody) throughout the cremation process.
- No pressure to buy more than the cremation packages described below and no up-charging. The packages offered below are at discounted rates available only to our clients.
- The option to have the cremains securely mailed directly to you via FedEx.
It is our goal, when possible, that aftercare decisions and payment for services are completed prior to your appointment enabling you to focus, in these last precious moments, on your beloved friend. When this is not possible, please note that payment for all services is due in full no-later-than the time of appointment.
*A transport fee will be charged if a client requests only cremation services without euthanasia.
Owner Portal
Prior to your appointment with Compassionate Pet Vet, you should receive a link to your individual Pet Meadow Owner’s Portal (account). Through this owner portal, you will be able to track your pet’s journey. If you have not received this link by the time of transport, please contact Pet Meadow.
Through the owner portal you can review and adjust any information/selection(s) you have made, and purchase keepsakes such as paw prints, nose prints, jewelry and more.
Please be aware that any changes/additions to your order should be made no-later-than 12 hours after your appointment time with Compassionate Pet Vet as many keepsakes are time-sensitive in the cremation process.
Private Cremation:
Pet Meadow uses an IEB 32-55 Multi=Chamber Pet Cremator with 5 individual chambers (1 chamber = 1 pet). This means that there is absolutely no co-mingling of cremains, unless the client requests otherwise (generally this would be when 2 or more pets have been seen at 1 appointment and/or transported together to Pet Meadow).
Once your beloved pet is gently transferred from our driver to Pet Meadow, the contract for cremation services is between Austin Pet Meadow and yourself. Pet Meadow will contact you after the completion of their process to arrange for the pick-up of your pet’s cremains, if you have chosen not to have them mailed. The process generally takes 5-7 business days. If at any time you have questions or concerns you are encouraged to contact Pet Meadow directly at (512) 359-0070. This is a 24-hr support line.
The Private Package includes:
- A Rosewood Urn with engraved nameplate
- A fur clipping which Dr. Maggie or Dr. Danielle will obtain for you at a spot(s) of your choosing during the appointment. The clipping will be left with you.
Communal Cremation
Communal cremation means that your pet will be gently placed with other beloved pets, and then cremated together. The collective cremains will then be blended with enriched soil and scattered on Pet Meadow’s private property. Flowers, plants, and trees will grow naturally in this soil truly completing the “circle of life.” No cremains (ashes) will be returned to you.
Items that are transported with your pet for cremation
All items that are transported with your pet will stay with your pet. Items that can be cremated, per applicable regulations, will be cremated with your pet. All other items become the property of Austin Pet Meadow and will not be returned to you. If you have any questions concerning what type of items can be cremated with your pet, please contact Pet Meadow directly.
Home Burial
You may elect to bury your pet yourself. Compassionate Pet Vet does not recommend this method due to possible environmental and legal considerations, however the choice is yours. As an alternative to home burial, you may consider burial in a pet cemetery.
Things to consider for a Home Burial:
- Check your city/county ordinances for restrictions. Pet burial is not permitted in many areas.
- Call your local utilities office to come mark your yard. There may be gas lines or water lines buried underground.
- Consider future additions when choosing a location.
- Wrap your loved one in a small blanket, t-shirt, or pillowcase. Avoid any kind of plastics. Remember that drugs will be in your pet's system and these drugs could be harmful to wild animals if ingested.
- Remember that drugs will be in your pet’s system and these drugs could be harmful to wild animals if ingested.
- An urn or box is not necessary unless you have something particular in mind.
- Adequate depth is three to five feet.
- At least three feet of soil should be on top of the body.
- Burial within 48 hours.
- If you need to delay the burial, you may want to place your pet’s body in an airtight plastic container and put your pet in a refrigerator or freezer.
