AVMA Companion Animal Aftercare Policy

Pet parents rely on veterinarians to select trustworthy aftercare providers and handle pet remains sensitively.

CARE CRADLE^® supports the Veterinary End-of-Life Care Policy and AVMA Companion Animal Aftercare Policy that recognizes a pet parent’s attachment to a companion animal extends beyond death and that the sensitive handling of animal remains is an important aspect of veterinary practice.

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) recommends that veterinarians:

• Encourage prior planning so that owners are aware of their options and can easily communicate their preferences.
• Be aware of all legal restrictions relating to the disposition of remains and counsel owners accordingly.
• Handle remains in a sensitive manner such that is not unnecessarily disturbing to the owner or any other person with a valid reason to see the remains and that provides adequate containment of the remains.
• Use trustworthy service providers for postmortem care or interment of remains.
• If receiving remains following cremation, inspect remains upon receipt from service provider to verify the requested services have been properly executed.