Pet Aquamation by Peaceful Pets
When you’ve said goodbye to a beloved companion, the way you honor their remains is a deeply personal decision. At Foland Veterinary Services, we’ve partnered with Peaceful Pets Aquamation to offer a gentle, environmentally considerate alternative to traditional cremation.
What Is Aquamation?
Aquamation—also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water-based cremation—is a gentle process that mirrors the way the body naturally decomposes, only much more quickly. Using a careful combination of water flow, low temperature, and a small amount of alkali solution, the process works in much the same way decomposition occurs in soil. In fact, alkaline hydrolysis is also the very process by which the human body extracts nutrients from food—it is, at its core, a deeply natural process.
The full aquamation process takes approximately 20 hours to complete and is carried out using a patented machine designed specifically for pets. Peaceful Pets Aquamation was among the first companies in the world to offer this technology to everyday pet owners, and their experience in its use is unmatched.
For many families, the gentleness of the process—and the knowledge that it is cleaner and more environmentally friendly than traditional flame cremation—brings a measure of comfort during an already difficult time. It is not a new concept; it is simply a more intentional way of returning a beloved pet to the earth.
Why Choose Aquamation?
Choosing aquamation over traditional flame cremation is a personal decision, and both are meaningful ways to honor a pet’s remains. Families who choose aquamation often do so for one or more of the following reasons:
A Gentler Process
The word “cremation” can feel harsh to some pet owners in a moment of grief. Aquamation offers a softer alternative—one rooted in the natural processes of the earth rather than heat and flame. Many families find this distinction meaningful when thinking about the final care of a pet they loved deeply.
Environmentally Considerate
Aquamation uses significantly less energy than traditional flame cremation and produces no direct emissions. For families who are mindful of their environmental footprint, it offers a way to honor their pet’s memory that aligns with their values.
The Same Meaningful Result
Like traditional cremation, individual aquamation returns your pet’s remains to you—so you can keep them close, memorialize them in a special way, or scatter them in a place that held meaning for your pet. The process is different; the love behind it is the same.
Cremation Options Available Through Peaceful Pets
Peaceful Pets Aquamation offers two service options, allowing families to choose the path that best fits their wishes and circumstances.
Individual Aquamation
With individual aquamation, your pet is processed separately, and their remains are returned to you in your choice of urn. This option is for families who wish to keep their pet’s remains or memorialize them in a specific way. Peaceful Pets also offers a variety of memorial products to help you create a lasting tribute to your companion.
Communal Aquamation
With communal aquamation, your pet is processed together with other pets in a group setting. Rather than being returned to individual families, the communal remains are scattered in the ocean—a peaceful, natural resting place for pets who were so deeply loved. This option may be the right choice for families who do not wish to receive their pet’s remains or who find comfort in the idea of a return to nature.
How the Process Works
When the time comes, Peaceful Pets Aquamation coordinates directly with our team at Foland Veterinary Services to ensure a seamless, respectful transition for your pet. Here is a gentle overview of what to expect:
Pickup and Transport
The Aquamation Process
Return of Remains (Individual Service)
Memorial Products & Online Memorials
Peaceful Pets Aquamation also offers a range of memorial products to help you honor your pet’s memory in a lasting, meaningful way—from urns and keepsakes to personalized tributes. They also offer online memorial options, giving families a dedicated space to celebrate the life of the pet they’ve lost and share that space with others who loved them.
For more information about available memorial products and options, visit peacefulpetsaquamation.com.
We Are Here to Help You Through This
At Foland Veterinary Services, our relationship with you doesn’t end when your pet passes. We are here to support you through every part of this process—from the moment of goodbye to the decisions that follow. If you have questions about aquamation, would like to discuss your options, or simply need someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We will always handle this conversation with the gentleness and care it deserves.
You can also learn more about the compassionate in-office euthanasia services we provide on our pet euthanasia page.