Pet Aftercare Services
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the most difficult decisions a family can make.
Honouring Your Pet’s Memory
At York Mobile Vet, we are committed to supporting you not only during your pet’s final moments but also in helping you choose the aftercare option that feels right for your family.
We work with trusted local aftercare providers who share our commitment to treating every pet with dignity, compassion, and respect. Whether you choose cremation, aquamation, or home burial, we are here to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
We understand that memorial keepsakes can add additional costs during an already difficult time. To help families preserve cherished memories, upon request, York Mobile Vet can provide complimentary ink paw prints and a fur clipping in a beautiful glass keepsake vial with every end-of-life visit.
Private Cremation
Private cremation allows your pet’s ashes to be returned to you as a lasting memorial.
York Mobile Vet partners with Gateway Pet Memorial, one of Canada’s most trusted pet aftercare providers, serving pet families for over 30 years. Gateway is dedicated exclusively to pet aftercare and offers compassionate, professional services designed to honour the special bond you shared with your companion.
With a private cremation, your pet is cremated in their own private chamber, and only your pet’s ashes are returned to your family.
Memorial Keepsakes
Families who choose private cremation may also select from a variety of memorial items, including:
- Clay or ink paw prints
- Memorial jewellery
- Decorative urns
- Keepsake boxes
- Personalized memorial products
A satin pouch or scattering tube is included with private cremation. Families who prefer a more permanent memorial may choose from a selection of beautiful urns and keepsakes.
How It Works
Following your appointment, we will arrange transportation of your pet to Gateway Pet Memorial.
You will receive a unique email link access allowing you to log into Gateway’s online memorial portal, where you can:
- Browse memorial keepsakes and urns
- Customize memorial products
- View current memorial item pricing
Once the cremation process is complete, your pet’s cremated remains and any memorial items will be returned either:
- To your regular veterinary clinic (if they accept deliveries), or
- To our affiliated veterinary clinic in Richmond Hill for pickup
Communal (Group) Cremation
Communal cremation is a respectful option for families who do not wish to receive their pet’s ashes back.
With communal cremation, pets are cremated together, and the ashes are not returned to individual families. Instead, the cremated remains are respectfully scattered by Gateway Pet Memorial at Sandy Ridge Pet Cemetery where you can visit your pet’s communal ashes if you wish.
Many families choose communal cremation when they prefer a simple, dignified aftercare option without keeping ashes at home.
*Please note that while your pet’s ashes will not be returned with communal cremation, memorial keepsakes such as clay paw prints, some memorial jewelry, and other remembrance items can still be arranged through Gateway Pet Memorial. If you are interested in any memorial products other than ashes back, simply let us know and we will set up a Gateway Pet Memorial portal for you to browse available options and make your selections.
Aquamation (Water Cremation)
Aquamation is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional flame-based cremation.
York Mobile Vet partners with Tails Farewell, a compassionate Markham-based pet aftercare provider specializing in aquamation and memorial services.
Aquamation is a water-based process that mimics natural decomposition. Many families appreciate aquamation because it is considered an environmentally friendly option and is often viewed as a gentler process compared to traditional cremation.
Benefits of Aquamation
- Gentle, water-based process
- Ashes can be returned to the family
- Memorial products and urn options available
- Personalized aftercare services
Families who choose aquamation can also select memorial products and keepsakes through Tails Farewell.
The returned remains are similar in appearance to cremated remains and may be kept in an urn, scattered, or memorialized in a way that is meaningful to your family.
Home Burial
Some families consider burial at home on private property as a way to say goodbye in a familiar and meaningful setting.
It is important to know that pet burial is not permitted in urban and many suburban areas. Where it is allowed, it must always be done in accordance with local bylaws, state/provincial regulations, and with the landowner or landlord’s permission.
For safety and environmental protection, burial should be done at an appropriate depth—ideally with at least 2 feet of soil covering the pet. If this depth cannot be achieved, the area should be secured with a heavy rock or protective covering to prevent wildlife from digging.
In some cases, a light layer of lime may be placed in the grave before and after burial, and the soil should be gently replaced and levelled once complete.
If the pet is buried on private property, it is also important to keep a record of the location in case the property is ever sold in the future.
We’re Here to Help
There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to aftercare. Every family grieves differently, and every pet’s life deserves to be honoured in a way that feels meaningful to those who loved them.
If you have questions about cremation, aquamation, memorial keepsakes, or home burial, our team will be happy to discuss your options before our visit.
At York Mobile Vet, we consider it a privilege to help families with a goodbye filled with compassion, dignity, and peace.
We Love Our Clients and Patients!
Areas We Serve
York Mobile Veterinary Services provides mobile veterinary care for pets in Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville, and Richmond Hill.
Contact Us
Contact York Mobile Veterinary Services to learn more about laser therapy for your pet.