Miz Allie Says Things to Consider in Case of Losing a Loved One

Instinct tells a cat to hide where a predator can't find them. When a cat is ill, it may think it is being stalked - so it hides. Miz Allie says she likes to hide all the time, but after losing Mitsy she thought maybe some educating in the "Cat heaven" process might be a thought to meeander...Meow...So below are some of my findings on the "touchy" subject...Meow....

So what if you come home and find your beloved cat has died. First.. Miz Allie wants to send her condolences, and knows your pain. But what do you do now? Here's what you might do next.Meow....

• You can call someone close to you. Even if the the other person has not been through this type of grief they can still be of comfort to you. There are hands to be held and tissues carried. Meow...


• You need to call a professional. If it's past business hours you can call any medical hospital and they will have an emergency number for you to call.


• Getting there is often difficult but there are ways, by car, a friend could be driving or a family member while you are in your state of grief.


• Put your kitty in a carrier and try not to touch them much afterwards. Meow....


• Cover the carrier with a towel


• Take your time with the vet. This is the last time you'll see your cat. Ask any dumb question you want; vets, by law, cannot actually call your questions "dumb." Meow... Meow...


• Decide if you want the remains in an urn or a cardboard container. Or if a group cremation would be OK. The price difference between a private and group cremation at the Humane Society can be sugnificant so check with more than one by calling in advance. This may seem morbid, but mommys and daddys do the same for themselves. Meow...


• If you do a group cremation, you will still receive a certificate that says the pet's name and that everyone was done to code. But you will receive no remains.


• Grieving is a normal process and don't feel that there is a time limit or right or wrong way to go about it. Many mommys and daddys wait a long time to get another kitty, but we know no matter how many cats you own , no one cat will ever replace us. Meow...

Just a few of Miz Allie's findings on preparation...

Many methods of burials are governed by individual state or local laws, so part of planning in advance includes investigating laws in your location. My county of residence prohibits the burial of cats in back yards, for instance. Since scattering of human cremains is so tightly regulated, it is doubtful that scattering of cat cremains would be legal in most areas.

• Cremation can be arranged through your veterinarian. There are two methods:
  Communal Cremation: The remains of a cat are cremated along with other deceased pets, and disposed of according to law. Usually, there is no charge for this service. Meow...Meow....
  Individual Cremation - The remains of your beloved cat is cremated, and the cremains are returned to the you for final burial. The charge varies, as do the costs of permanent memorial urns for pet cremains. Some people even go so far as to save the cremains of their loved pets to be buried with them when they die. Meow Meow.....
• Whole Body Burial
  At Home: This method is used regularly by grieving human survivors, who want to feel the "closure" of having a private service at home, and having the remains of the lost cat close by. The disadvantage of this method is threefold: First, apartment dwellers do not have private back yards. Second, in our mobile society, people often move, and the kitty graveyard is left behind. Last, it is prohibited by many local and state laws, so cat owners who use this method of disposal are in danger of fines and/or jail time.
• In a Pet Cemetery: Because of escalating land values, pet cemeteries may be difficult to find. Your veterinarian may be able to help you locate one and/or arrange for burial services. Be certain to check that the pet cemetery has set aside funds for perpetual maintenance of the burial grounds, and that deed restrictions are in place, guaranteeing that the grounds will always be used for pet burial. (Some states have laws requiring a care fund and deed restrictions.) Check this site for a fairly comprehensive list of pet cemeteries in the United States.

Most of all we want to remember our cats as the ownderful pets they were and the fun and love they gave us, Miz Allie knows her mummy will always love her and keep her close to her heart in any circumstance.Meow..meow...