FAQs about freeze drying pets (pet preservation)
A note from Andrea:
I am proud to have earned my customer's trust, and hope you will allow me to join you on this journey. It is my pleasure to offer you and your pet a complete freeze drying service. I have found that many of my customers have similar questions, concerns, worries....thoughts. I think it is important to know as much about this process as you would like, so please feel free to ask me anything - nothing is off limits.
What do I do after my pet dies to prepare for freeze drying?
The best place to put your pet is in the freezer. Wrap your pet in a towel and then in a large bag and place in the freezer. This should be done within 24 hours of death. When you wrap up your pet, please tuck the legs into the body and tilt the head toward the body.
Gather any photos that would be helpful when posing your pet. Contact us and arrange for shipping or drop off.
How do I ship?
We recommend waiting until a Monday or a Tuesday. Your pet should be wrapped in a towel and bagged in a large plastic bag. Place your pet in a styrofoam cooler large enough to accommodate their size. Your pet should fit snugly in the container. Insulate any open space in the box. Tape up the box and place in a secondary cardboard box. You can use any shipping service, that is up to you. I do recommend getting it to us as fast as you can. The best way to ship is Overnight or Express mail. If you cannot afford the price to ship overnight, there are certain things you can do to ensure your pet stays cold. The best way is using dry ice, second best is blue freezer packs. Do not pack actual bags of frozen ice, as these WILL melt and will leak through the box. Please do not ship signature required. I like to stay active during the day, this includes daily exercise and while someone is always around to check for packages daily, we may not be there the moment the signature is required. We hate to miss deliveries, because while we will go and pick them up, this means for us an hour drive (yes, we live very rural).
When you ship, please let us know. When your pet arrives we immediately contact you and start going over more details.
How much does freeze drying or preserving my pet cost?
Our price is based simply on the pet's weight. The first 5 lbs and under is $500. Each additional pound is $50. You can learn more about pricing by visiting the pricing page, but it is really straightforward with no extra costs. My work comes fully finished. The customer is expected to pay for return shipping, which typically runs anywhere from $10-50 depending on your location and the size and weight of your pet. I ask for a deposit of 80% at the time of arrival. I accept cash, check, or card.
How long will freeze drying my pet take?
The time your pet will need to spend in the freeze drier will vary by weight. Pets that weigh more have more structures that must be dry, therefore they take longer. Something as small as a mouse typically takes 30-45 days. A small 5-7 lb dog or cat may take 6 months or more. Larger animals weighing 50 lbs or more usually stay in a machine for 9 months or longer. Special circumstances, like custom ordering of eyes, may affect this turnaround time. I try my best to quote an accurate turnaround time for all my customers. I stress that importance of your pet spending adequate time in a freeze dry machine. There simply is no such thing as cutting corners or speeding up the process with this method of taxidermy.
What does pose mean?
Pose is simply the way your pet is going to look, or what they are going to be doing. The basic poses are lying down or sleeping. Sitting up may be possible for very small pets. With freeze drying, we are working against gravity and there are some poses that cannot be achieved. Your pet's eyes can be opened or closed, this is up to you. I use Tohickon glass eyes or Payer glass eyes. These are two of the finest, most expensive glass eyes available on the market. If you choose to have a custom glass eye created, you must provide me with 2 reference photos of your pets eyes taken with high/clear resolution. The first reference photo should show the eye color and shape clearly. The second reference photo should show the pupil size and shape that you would like your pet to have. When I place a custom order with one of my suppliers it takes 2-12 weeks to have the set made. This is included in your price, so take advantage.
We ask that you have photos and a pose in mind at the time of receiving your pet. You may find Google a helpful tool when you choose your pose. Each pet is unique in the way they would sit, lay, and so on, and we really do our best to work with you by sharing photos before any work goes into the freeze drier. You may want to be involved in the posing, or you may want us to take over. This is your service, so please let me know what we can do to make this the best experience for you.
My pet has been in the freezer for months. Is he still a good candidate for freeze drying?
Yes. Freezer burn can set in within months, but early freezer burn is typically not severe. You can inspect paws and nose to see if there are any signs of freezer burn (whitening or changing of the skin texture).
My pet lost a lot of weight before their death. Is there any way to make them look healthy again?
Unfortunately there is no magic fix to this problem. Your pet will look the way they looked around the time of their passing. Since I do a full grooming, and can sometimes add a little weight to the body, you may be surprised and think that they actually look better!
My pet was shaved for IVs or other medical procedures. What can we do about that?
This is very common. I do my best to adjust the pose to hide these areas. Sometimes it cannot be hidden. If the whole body or sides have been shaved, I would recommend displaying with a favorite blanket draped over them.
Will I be able to touch my pet after she has been freeze dried? Can I brush her hair?
Absolutely. You may softly pet and brush the hair without any issue. We groom your pet before the freeze drying process and once again after. Please let us know if you have any special requests for grooming.
How long will my freeze dried pet last?
Like any fine fur or mount, your pet will last a lifetime as long as you care for it properly. We discuss aftercare thoroughly with each customer and also supply a reminder card with helpful tips for taking care of your pet after it has been freeze dried. See below for things to be avoided.
What is different about freeze drying?
Unlike traditional taxidermy, we can leave the musculoskeletal system intact. Traditional taxidermy relies on skinning of the animal and the stretching of the skin over a form, usually made of urethane. Taxidermy forms are made to accommodate wild game, not pets. Freeze drying is unique because we don't alter your pets appearance in any way - the finished product is completely 100% your pet as you knew and loved them, only preserved to last a lifetime.
What is your process? Do you keep everything in there or remove things? Do I even want to know?
Best practices requires us to remove all the internal organs of your pet. This is done by a small incision in the pelvis that you will not be able to see when viewing your pet. Want to know more about the process? Just ask! This is your service! We know everyone is different. Some want as much knowledge as possible about the entire process from start to finish. Others would prefer to be left in the dark about certain details. Whoever you are, that's okay. Our goal is to give you a service, and you decide whatever that needs to be to suit your needs. We are happy to talk you through everything, and we are here for you throughout the entire process.
Can my pet be done half traditional half freeze dried? What is the difference?
Traditional taxidermy relies on removing the skin from the muscle of your pet, leaving only the head are limbs attached. This is an extremely invasive process, and is not always necessary for the best outcome. Sometimes I will recommend this for pets that are obese or overweight, simply to ensure the longevity and overall condition of the pet.
What are some things that should be avoided?
Direct sunlight can fade colors after time. Humidity is a huge threat to anything freeze dried. Do not get your pet wet or bring them outside. Keep away from open flames. Remember that your pet is still flesh and bone, so avoid any situation where insects would be attracted to your pet. I recommend sprinkling Borax or Seven dust under the area where your pet is displayed on a semi annual basis. Remember, prevention is key! Just like any fine fur or mount, inspection on a regular basis is strongly recommended.
I am proud to have earned my customer's trust, and hope you will allow me to join you on this journey. It is my pleasure to offer you and your pet a complete freeze drying service. I have found that many of my customers have similar questions, concerns, worries....thoughts. I think it is important to know as much about this process as you would like, so please feel free to ask me anything - nothing is off limits.
What do I do after my pet dies to prepare for freeze drying?
The best place to put your pet is in the freezer. Wrap your pet in a towel and then in a large bag and place in the freezer. This should be done within 24 hours of death. When you wrap up your pet, please tuck the legs into the body and tilt the head toward the body.
Gather any photos that would be helpful when posing your pet. Contact us and arrange for shipping or drop off.
How do I ship?
We recommend waiting until a Monday or a Tuesday. Your pet should be wrapped in a towel and bagged in a large plastic bag. Place your pet in a styrofoam cooler large enough to accommodate their size. Your pet should fit snugly in the container. Insulate any open space in the box. Tape up the box and place in a secondary cardboard box. You can use any shipping service, that is up to you. I do recommend getting it to us as fast as you can. The best way to ship is Overnight or Express mail. If you cannot afford the price to ship overnight, there are certain things you can do to ensure your pet stays cold. The best way is using dry ice, second best is blue freezer packs. Do not pack actual bags of frozen ice, as these WILL melt and will leak through the box. Please do not ship signature required. I like to stay active during the day, this includes daily exercise and while someone is always around to check for packages daily, we may not be there the moment the signature is required. We hate to miss deliveries, because while we will go and pick them up, this means for us an hour drive (yes, we live very rural).
When you ship, please let us know. When your pet arrives we immediately contact you and start going over more details.
How much does freeze drying or preserving my pet cost?
Our price is based simply on the pet's weight. The first 5 lbs and under is $500. Each additional pound is $50. You can learn more about pricing by visiting the pricing page, but it is really straightforward with no extra costs. My work comes fully finished. The customer is expected to pay for return shipping, which typically runs anywhere from $10-50 depending on your location and the size and weight of your pet. I ask for a deposit of 80% at the time of arrival. I accept cash, check, or card.
How long will freeze drying my pet take?
The time your pet will need to spend in the freeze drier will vary by weight. Pets that weigh more have more structures that must be dry, therefore they take longer. Something as small as a mouse typically takes 30-45 days. A small 5-7 lb dog or cat may take 6 months or more. Larger animals weighing 50 lbs or more usually stay in a machine for 9 months or longer. Special circumstances, like custom ordering of eyes, may affect this turnaround time. I try my best to quote an accurate turnaround time for all my customers. I stress that importance of your pet spending adequate time in a freeze dry machine. There simply is no such thing as cutting corners or speeding up the process with this method of taxidermy.
What does pose mean?
Pose is simply the way your pet is going to look, or what they are going to be doing. The basic poses are lying down or sleeping. Sitting up may be possible for very small pets. With freeze drying, we are working against gravity and there are some poses that cannot be achieved. Your pet's eyes can be opened or closed, this is up to you. I use Tohickon glass eyes or Payer glass eyes. These are two of the finest, most expensive glass eyes available on the market. If you choose to have a custom glass eye created, you must provide me with 2 reference photos of your pets eyes taken with high/clear resolution. The first reference photo should show the eye color and shape clearly. The second reference photo should show the pupil size and shape that you would like your pet to have. When I place a custom order with one of my suppliers it takes 2-12 weeks to have the set made. This is included in your price, so take advantage.
We ask that you have photos and a pose in mind at the time of receiving your pet. You may find Google a helpful tool when you choose your pose. Each pet is unique in the way they would sit, lay, and so on, and we really do our best to work with you by sharing photos before any work goes into the freeze drier. You may want to be involved in the posing, or you may want us to take over. This is your service, so please let me know what we can do to make this the best experience for you.
My pet has been in the freezer for months. Is he still a good candidate for freeze drying?
Yes. Freezer burn can set in within months, but early freezer burn is typically not severe. You can inspect paws and nose to see if there are any signs of freezer burn (whitening or changing of the skin texture).
My pet lost a lot of weight before their death. Is there any way to make them look healthy again?
Unfortunately there is no magic fix to this problem. Your pet will look the way they looked around the time of their passing. Since I do a full grooming, and can sometimes add a little weight to the body, you may be surprised and think that they actually look better!
My pet was shaved for IVs or other medical procedures. What can we do about that?
This is very common. I do my best to adjust the pose to hide these areas. Sometimes it cannot be hidden. If the whole body or sides have been shaved, I would recommend displaying with a favorite blanket draped over them.
Will I be able to touch my pet after she has been freeze dried? Can I brush her hair?
Absolutely. You may softly pet and brush the hair without any issue. We groom your pet before the freeze drying process and once again after. Please let us know if you have any special requests for grooming.
How long will my freeze dried pet last?
Like any fine fur or mount, your pet will last a lifetime as long as you care for it properly. We discuss aftercare thoroughly with each customer and also supply a reminder card with helpful tips for taking care of your pet after it has been freeze dried. See below for things to be avoided.
What is different about freeze drying?
Unlike traditional taxidermy, we can leave the musculoskeletal system intact. Traditional taxidermy relies on skinning of the animal and the stretching of the skin over a form, usually made of urethane. Taxidermy forms are made to accommodate wild game, not pets. Freeze drying is unique because we don't alter your pets appearance in any way - the finished product is completely 100% your pet as you knew and loved them, only preserved to last a lifetime.
What is your process? Do you keep everything in there or remove things? Do I even want to know?
Best practices requires us to remove all the internal organs of your pet. This is done by a small incision in the pelvis that you will not be able to see when viewing your pet. Want to know more about the process? Just ask! This is your service! We know everyone is different. Some want as much knowledge as possible about the entire process from start to finish. Others would prefer to be left in the dark about certain details. Whoever you are, that's okay. Our goal is to give you a service, and you decide whatever that needs to be to suit your needs. We are happy to talk you through everything, and we are here for you throughout the entire process.
Can my pet be done half traditional half freeze dried? What is the difference?
Traditional taxidermy relies on removing the skin from the muscle of your pet, leaving only the head are limbs attached. This is an extremely invasive process, and is not always necessary for the best outcome. Sometimes I will recommend this for pets that are obese or overweight, simply to ensure the longevity and overall condition of the pet.
What are some things that should be avoided?
Direct sunlight can fade colors after time. Humidity is a huge threat to anything freeze dried. Do not get your pet wet or bring them outside. Keep away from open flames. Remember that your pet is still flesh and bone, so avoid any situation where insects would be attracted to your pet. I recommend sprinkling Borax or Seven dust under the area where your pet is displayed on a semi annual basis. Remember, prevention is key! Just like any fine fur or mount, inspection on a regular basis is strongly recommended.