What Should I Expect During the Taxidermy Process for My Pet?

When a beloved pet passes, the loss is deeply felt. The silence left behind—no pawsteps in the hallway, no familiar tail wag or comforting nudge—can be heartbreaking. For many people, pets are more than animals; they are companions, family members, and emotional anchors. After such a significant loss, some pet owners find solace in keeping a physical connection to their pet through the taxidermy process.

Choosing to preserve your pet is an intimate decision. It’s often guided by love, memory, and a desire to keep a part of them close. But understandably, it also raises many questions: What happens to my pet during the taxidermy process? What does it involve? How long does it take? Will it really look like them?

This guide is designed to gently walk you through the process—from the moment you reach out to the final return of your preserved pet. We hope it offers both clarity and peace of mind as you navigate this emotional journey. At Animal Family Pet Preservation, we believe that understanding the process allows you to make informed choices, set realistic expectations during pet taxidermy, and honor your companion in a way that feels right to you.

Before the Process Begins: Making the Decision

No two people grieve the same way, and the decision to pursue taxidermy is highly personal. Some reach out in advance, aware that their pet’s time is nearing, and want to be prepared. Others come to this decision suddenly after an unexpected loss.

Whatever brings you to this point, know that there is no “correct” timeline for grief or for making this decision. The first step is reaching out. From there, we’ll gently guide you through the next actions based on your pet’s condition, your wishes, and what preservation method you’re most comfortable with.

If your pet has recently passed and you’re unsure if preservation is still possible, we encourage you to contact us quickly. Proper refrigeration or freezing (not burial) can help maintain your pet’s condition and allow for respectful preservation, even if some time has passed.

Step One – Intake and Initial Consultation

When you contact us at Animal Family Pet Preservation, we begin with a private and compassionate conversation. This is not a transaction—it’s a moment to share who your pet was, what they meant to you, and how you envision honoring their memory.

During the initial consultation, we’ll cover:

• Your pet’s name, species, breed, and approximate size

• How recently they passed and current body condition

• Whether freeze-drying or traditional taxidermy is best suited

• Any special requests, such as pose, accessories, or expressions

• Pricing, timelines, and the logistics of transporting your pet

Our goal is to gently walk you through what to expect and ensure that your pet’s legacy is treated with care, dignity, and professionalism.

Step Two – Preservation and Preparation

Once your pet arrives at our facility, we begin with careful intake and physical assessment. Each animal is handled with great care and respect—always with the awareness that they were someone’s deeply loved companion.

Depending on your preferences and your pet’s condition, one of two methods may be used:

1. Traditional Taxidermy

This method involves creating a custom form to replicate your pet’s exact shape and size. The skin and fur are carefully preserved, then mounted onto the form to recreate your pet’s lifelike appearance. Every detail—eye placement, ear position, fur pattern—is crafted to reflect their unique personality and presence.

2. Freeze-Drying

Freeze-drying is a non-invasive process that retains your pet’s actual body shape and features. Moisture is gently removed over time in a vacuum chamber at low temperatures. This method is especially well-suited for smaller pets such as cats, rabbits, birds, and pocket pets.

Both techniques involve a great deal of care and craftsmanship. Choosing the right method depends on your pet’s size, anatomy, and how you wish them to be posed or remembered.

Step Three – Sculpting and Detailing

This part of the process is the most time-intensive—and the most important when it comes to meeting your expectations during pet taxidermy. It is also where your pet truly begins to take shape again.

Our taxidermists spend considerable time shaping the body, setting the limbs, and sculpting facial features. If your pet is being mounted traditionally, a mannequin will be hand-formed to mimic their proportions. If freeze-drying, they are posed naturally before being placed in the chamber.

We reference multiple photos you provide—ideally taken from all angles—to replicate their posture, signature expressions, and distinguishing traits. Whether it’s the tilt of a head, the softness in their eyes, or the way their paws curled when they rested, we work to recreate the essence of your pet, not just their form.

Throughout this stage, every fur strand is groomed. Eyes are polished. Final positioning is adjusted until the likeness feels true. Our focus remains on capturing not just physical resemblance, but emotional presence.

Step Four – The Waiting Period

This is the part of the process where patience becomes important. The time it takes to preserve a pet varies significantly depending on size, species, and preservation method. It can range from several months to over a year in some cases.

We understand this wait can be difficult. You’ve entrusted us with someone who meant the world to you, and naturally, you’re eager to have them home again. But the process cannot be rushed. Proper preservation—especially freeze-drying—requires time for moisture to leave the body without compromising structure or detail.

During this time, we keep your pet safe, secure, and treated with dignity. We’re always available for updates and are committed to open communication throughout the process.

Step Five – Final Grooming and Finishing Touches

When your pet’s preservation is complete, we move into the final stage of the process. This includes:

• Grooming the fur or feathers

• Final touch-ups to facial features

• Cleaning and polishing eyes and nose

• Re-confirming pose and symmetry

• Securing your pet to a base (if requested)

You may choose to have your pet mounted on a custom wood base, wrapped in a familiar blanket, or surrounded by small keepsakes like a favorite collar or toy. These options help create a personal memorial and offer stability for long-term display.

We do everything we can to return your pet to you in a form that feels peaceful, comforting, and true to the memory you hold.

What You Can Expect Emotionally

Many pet owners ask us what the experience of seeing their preserved pet for the first time will be like. The answer varies, but one thing remains constant: this is a moment filled with emotion.

Some feel relief, joy, or gratitude. Others may cry or find themselves quietly reflective. A few need time to adjust. All of these responses are valid.

It’s important to understand that taxidermy is not about recreating life—it’s about preserving memory. Your pet won’t move, breathe, or blink. But their familiar presence, the shape of their ears, the position of their paws, the peaceful expression—all of these things can bring great comfort.

We encourage you to allow yourself to feel whatever arises, without judgment. You’ve chosen a deeply personal way to honor your pet, and the emotions that come with it are part of that tribute.

Long-Term Care of Your Preserved Pet

Once your pet is home, you’ll want to keep them in an environment that supports preservation. We provide detailed care instructions, but here are the basics:

• Keep away from direct sunlight

• Avoid high humidity or damp spaces

• Dust gently with a soft brush every few months

• Handle with care and avoid frequent movement

With proper care, a preserved pet can last for decades as a lasting part of your home and your memory.

A Gentle Way to Honor a Lifelong Companion

If you’ve come to us in the midst of loss, please know this: we see your grief, and we honor it. Choosing taxidermy for your pet is not a sign of refusal to let go—it’s an act of deep love. It’s a way of holding on to something tangible when words and photographs don’t feel like enough.

Understanding your expectations during pet taxidermy—from timelines and processes to the emotions involved—helps create space for healing and remembrance. There’s no rush. There’s no pressure. Just time, compassion, and respect for your choice to preserve what mattered most.

At Animal Family Pet Preservation, we are here to walk with you, quietly and respectfully, through this process. We work with families from all over the country who, like you, are looking for a meaningful way to keep their pets close—physically, emotionally, and symbolically.

If you’re considering pet taxidermy or simply have questions, we invite you to reach out when the time feels right. You can learn more at animalfamilypet.com. There, you’ll find resources, contact information, and answers to some of the questions we hear most often.

Whatever your path forward looks like, we wish you peace, comfort, and the continued presence of your pet’s love in your life. Thank you for trusting us with their memory. It is a privilege we do not take lightly. Contact us.

Categorised in: Dog Taxidermy

This post was written by mmaier