Canada · physical keepsakes
Paw prints and keepsakes
A paw print, a nose print, a lock of fur or a clay impression keeps something physical of your pet. The most important thing to know is timing: some of these can only be taken before cremation or aquamation begins.
This page separates what to request before care from what you can arrange any time, compares fragile keepsakes with durable ones, and lists how to preserve each so it lasts.
Before care and after
Timing matters
Before care begins
Paw print, nose print, a lock of fur or a feather.
Any time after
Photos, frames, a kept collar, keepsakes from the ashes.
In plain terms
What to know before you decide
Keepsakes fall into two groups: the ones that must be arranged before care, and the ones you can gather any time.
Timing is the main thing
A paw print, a nose print and a lock of fur are taken from your pet, so they can only be arranged before cremation or aquamation begins.
Ask at the first contact
Mention any keepsake you would like when you first call the provider or your veterinary clinic, rather than after care has started, when it is too late.
Some keepsakes can wait
Photographs, framed arrangements, a kept collar or tag, and anything made from the returned ashes can all be arranged whenever you are ready.
Not every provider offers every keepsake
Some include a simple paw print, some offer clay impressions, and some do not take them. Ask each provider what they can make, and whether to request it in advance.
The timeline
What to request before care, and what can wait
Follow the sequence. The first three can only happen before cremation or aquamation; the rest can be arranged whenever you are ready.
Ask for a paw print or nose print
An ink or clay impression is taken from your pet, so it has to be arranged before cremation or aquamation. Ask whether it is ink, clay or both.
Keep a lock of fur, or a feather
A small clipping of fur, or a feather for a bird, is a gentle keepsake taken before care begins. Ask the provider or clinic to set one aside.
Say so at the first contact
Whatever you would like taken from your pet, mention it on the first call. Once care has started, these keepsakes can no longer be made.
Frame photos and prints
Framed photographs, a framed print, or a digital copy of a fragile print can be arranged any time, and make good backups of the originals.
Keep everyday belongings
A collar, tag, harness or favourite toy is already yours to keep. Set these aside safely whenever you feel ready.
Make something from the ashes
If ashes are returned, a keepsake or a piece of jewellery can be made from them later. This is separate from anything taken before care.
Keeping them safe
Fragile keepsakes, and durable ones
Some keepsakes need care to last; others look after themselves. Here is how fragile each is, and how to preserve it.
| Option | How fragile | How to preserve it | Backup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fur clippingTaken before care | Fragile, and can shed or scatter if loose. | Keep dry in a small sealed bag, locket or box, out of light. | Photograph it in case it is lost. |
| Ink or paper printTaken before care | Fragile; ink can smudge and paper can fade or crease. | Store flat, out of sunlight, ideally framed under glass. | Scan or photograph a digital copy. |
| Clay impressionTaken before care | Sturdier, but can chip or crack if dropped. | Keep padded and out of reach of everyday knocks. | Photograph it as a record. |
| Collar or tagKeep any time | Durable, everyday materials. | A keepsake box, a hook, or a shadow-box frame. | Photograph it with your pet if you can. |
| PhotographsKeep any time | Durable if you keep copies. | Print and frame the ones that matter most. | Keep digital copies in more than one place. |
Fur clipping
Taken before care
- How fragile
- Fragile, and can shed or scatter if loose.
- How to preserve it
- Keep dry in a small sealed bag, locket or box, out of light.
- Backup
- Photograph it in case it is lost.
Ink or paper print
Taken before care
- How fragile
- Fragile; ink can smudge and paper can fade or crease.
- How to preserve it
- Store flat, out of sunlight, ideally framed under glass.
- Backup
- Scan or photograph a digital copy.
Clay impression
Taken before care
- How fragile
- Sturdier, but can chip or crack if dropped.
- How to preserve it
- Keep padded and out of reach of everyday knocks.
- Backup
- Photograph it as a record.
Collar or tag
Keep any time
- How fragile
- Durable, everyday materials.
- How to preserve it
- A keepsake box, a hook, or a shadow-box frame.
- Backup
- Photograph it with your pet if you can.
Photographs
Keep any time
- How fragile
- Durable if you keep copies.
- How to preserve it
- Print and frame the ones that matter most.
- Backup
- Keep digital copies in more than one place.
A general guide only. What a provider can make, and whether it is included, varies. Confirm which keepsakes need to be requested before care begins.
By pet
Examples for different pets
The idea is the same for every pet, but size and species change the details. These are examples, not a menu, and not a way to filter providers.
Dogs and cats
A paw print or nose print, a lock of fur, and the collar and tag they wore. Ink prints suit most; clay captures more detail.
Birds
A single feather kept before care, a favourite perch toy, and photographs. Feathers are delicate, so store them sealed and out of light.
Small pets
A tiny clay impression, a small fur clipping, and a photo. Their size makes a compact keepsake box a natural fit.
Any pet
Photographs, framed arrangements and digital copies work for every pet, and can be gathered whenever you are ready.
Make it last
A preservation checklist
Work through these to protect the keepsakes you make. Nothing is stored.
Common questions
Questions about paw prints and keepsakes
What families ask most, especially about timing.
When do I need to ask for a paw print?
Before cremation or aquamation begins. An ink or clay paw print, a nose print and a lock of fur are taken from your pet, so they cannot be added afterwards. If you would like any of them, say so when you first contact the provider or your veterinary clinic, rather than after care has started.
Can every provider make a paw print or keepsake?
Not always. Some providers include a simple paw print, some offer clay impressions or framed prints as an option, and some do not take them at all. Because Final Tail records memorial products only in general terms, ask each provider directly which keepsakes they can make, and whether it needs to be requested in advance.
What keepsakes can I still make after cremation?
Plenty. A collar, tag or harness, photographs and framed arrangements, digital copies of prints and photos, and any keepsake made from the returned ashes, such as jewellery, can all be arranged later. What cannot be done afterwards is anything taken directly from your pet, such as a fresh paw print, nose print or fur clipping.
How do I preserve a fur clipping or a fragile print?
Keep fur dry in a small sealed bag, locket or keepsake box, away from direct light. Store paper or ink prints flat, out of sunlight, and consider a photograph or scan as a digital backup in case the original fades. Clay impressions are more durable but can chip, so keep them padded and out of reach of everyday knocks.
Are keepsakes different for different kinds of pets?
The idea is the same, but the details differ. Dogs and cats suit paw or nose prints and fur; birds might be remembered with a feather kept before care; small pets suit a tiny clay impression or a photo. Ask your provider what is possible for your pet, since size and species affect what can be taken.
Keep planning
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Browse Canadian aftercare providers
Keepsakes taken from your pet must be arranged before care begins. Browse Canadian providers, then ask which keepsakes can be requested and whether you need to ask in advance.
Final Tail is an independent directory and information service. We do not sell urns, jewellery, plaques, keepsakes or memorial products, and we do not arrange cremation or veterinary services. This is general information for Canada, not legal advice. Availability, inclusions, materials, sealing, engraving and whether ashes are returned or can be divided vary by provider and must be confirmed directly. Rules for scattering, burial and outdoor memorials differ by property, municipality, province, park, cemetery, tenancy and condominium, so confirm what applies with the owner or managing authority before you go ahead.
Final Tail is an independent directory of pet cremation and aftercare providers across Canada. We collect provider details from public listings, provider websites and information shared with us. Services, availability and pricing may change, so please confirm directly with the provider before making arrangements.