We now provide clinic pick up and return services within the Tri-county!
Aquamation
Palmetto Pet Aquamation is proud to be the first to provide a fire cremation alternative, Aquamation, to our community. We serve all pets trusted to our care with compassion, dignity and respect. By selecting PPA for your pet’s aftercare, you’re choosing the most gentle aftercare for your pet and making the most environmentally responsible choice for our community. Download our brochure to read more. Click here for our release and consent form.
For all Aquamation services, our tracking ID system follows your pet throughout our care and guarantees the ash returned, is solely the ash of your beloved companion. If you prefer not to receive any of your pet’s ashes, please opt for our communal service.
Individual care includes transportation from and return of cremains to the home, a hand carved wooden urn, ink paw & nose print, and hair clipping.
Communal includes transportation from your home with no return of ashes, memorials to include ink paw & nose print and a hair clipping to be mailed back to the residence. The remains of your pet will be donated to SC DNR for the purposes of reef development and restoration along the SC coast.
Aquamation Service Pricing
Pet's Weight Price of Service
<3 $210
3-25 $225
26-75 $255
76-125 $285
126-225 $385
>226 $535
Urns and Keepsakes
All special orders and custom urns are provided by our sister company, Palmetto Pet Aquamation. Please visit their website memorial store for partners and options from which to choose. Any custom orders will be invoiced separately from other services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aquamation?
Aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, is process similar to what takes place if you buried your pet, just accelerated. Aquamation uses a combination of gentle water flow, warm temperature, and a small amount of minerals. Like cremation, the mineral ash of the bones can be returned to you or to the Earth. The ash is lighter in color because it is clean without carbon discoloration. There is also approximately 20% more “ash” returned since this is a water-based process that does not burn away any of the remains. Aquamation uses 90% less energy than traditional cremation. Aquamation is gentle, eco-friendly, and has zero emissions.
How do I know I'm getting back only the ashes of my pet?
We use a metal ID tag system to keep track of your pet throughout the entire process until they are returned to you. Pets are placed in individual compartments in the alkaline hydrolysis vessel. Once the vessel is closed, the process is hands-free and automated. There are not any commingling of remains during the process.
What is meant by individual and communal?
Unlike traditional fire cremation where your pet can be cremated separately from others by using a brick partition, the Aquamation processes places your pet within its own compartment with almost no chance in commingling of remains. We choose not to indicate that it is private only because multiple pets will be cared for simultaneously. Due to the extended time required, caring for a single pet privately is at an additional expense for pets weighing at least 150lbs. The communal process is elected when you choose not to have a return of your pets remains and the pets are aquamated without partitions.
When can I expect to have my pet’s remains returned?
The Aquamation process takes approximately 20 hours and we can typically have your pet’s cremains home or to your primary clinic within 2 weeks of receiving.
How much water does aquamation use?
Aquamation uses just a small amount of water, equivalent to about a 10-minute shower.
What happens to the remains?
Alkaline hydrolysis accelerates the natural process and separates the pet’s remains into two groups, organic and inorganic. The organic remains are neutralized for safe handling and the inorganic remains are processed into a powder, from there they are returned to the Earth in the form of a soil amendment.
Are the ashes safe to handle?
Yes. The ashes are composed of calcium phosphate and are 100% safe to handle.
Home Burial
For home burial, please check local regulations as some subdivisions/HOAs and municipalities have regulations about pet burial. Preparation of a pet's grave site should be a minimum of 3 to 5 feet in depth with at least 2 feet of earth coverage, away from utility lines, and above the water table. A pet's body may also be wrapped in a blanket or sheet prior to burial. Keep in mind, the medications used for humane pet euthanasia can remain in the environment for years after a pet’s passing and can cause harm to other animals if the grave is disturbed. If you have questions about burial, please ask as we can provide a proper burial vessels for your pet.