6 Beautiful Ways to Honor a Cat That Has Passed Away

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We all know that death is a part of life, but that doesn’t make losing a pet any easier when that day finally comes.

For most of us, our cats are not just pets, but also friends and family. Cats are our daily companions, and having a furry member of the family cross the rainbow bridge is a devastating loss.

We memorialize our human loved ones when they pass away with services, urns, and headstones, so why can’t we do something similar for our cats?

There are many beautiful and creative to honor a cat that has crossed the rainbow bridge.

Keep reading to discover six beautiful ways to honor your cat who has passed away.

1. Memory Pieces

Cremation has always been a popular option, but now you can create beautiful memory pieces using your cat’s ashes.

If you want a less traditional remembrance of your furry friend, you can also have the ashes made into different kinds of jewelry, incorporated into a painting of your pet, turned into a diamond, or even integrated into a fireworks display.

There are still plenty of options for pet owners who want to keep cremation more traditional. There are companies that design beautiful urns or other containers specifically for pets.

If you don’t like the standard offerings, you can customize the urn with a nameplate or photo of sweet kitty.

You can also order kits that come with a plain wooden urn, paint, and brushes, which allows you to customize it.

These kits let everyone in the family participate, and they can be helpful for children grieving the loss of the family kitty.

Cremation offers all kinds of creative ways to remember a pet. It’s all about finding something that works for you and honors your furry friend who has passed.

2. Plant a tree.

Many cultures use trees as living memorials to loved ones lost.

Find a nice spot in your yard or garden and plant a sapling. That way you can watch the tree grow over the years, and every time you look at it, you will remember kitty fondly.

If you don’t have the space for a tree, you can have one planted in your pet’s honor in a public space.

The Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree in memory of your cat, usually in a state park or a forest that needs to be restored.

Or, if you have a friend who just became a pet parent, you can have a tree planted in honor of your cat and in celebration of their new fur baby.

The Arbor Day Foundation mails a nice card or certificate to the person you designate the gift for.

If you are planting the tree in your yard and you have the room, you can even create a beautiful memorial area for your cat, complete with a small fountain, a plaque or marker, flowers, and even a statue.

You can choose to have a statue made of your kitty or you could opt for a statue of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals.

You can make the area as simple or as lavish as you like. It’s all about making a fitting tribute to your pet.

Being able to watch things grow and bloom while thinking of happy times with your cat is a wonderful way to honor them.

3. Rescue Another Cat

The most meaningful way you can honor your cat after it has passed is to open your heart and home to another fur baby.

Take time to grieve, but don’t forget about how many other kitties are yearning for a forever family.

According to ASPCA, between 6.5 million dogs and cats come into animal shelters every year.

Many shelters are financially overwhelmed by sick, neglected animals and are forced to euthanize millions cats and dogs every year.

Some people may feel guilty for adopting another cat after losing their former one. Rest assured that this is nothing to feel guilty about.

You are NOT taking any love away from your former cat. Love is unlimited. By adopting another cat, you are simply adding more love into your life.

You are not replacing your former cat – you are adopting another cat in their honor.

Take time to process your emotions before making the decision to adopt another cat after suffering the loss of your own.

Everyone processes grief differently and only time will tell when you’re ready.

4. Foster Kittens & Cats

You may not be ready to have another cat of your own too soon after losing one, but fostering some kittens or even an older cat might bring you great joy.

The energy of kittens will keep you busy and make it hard not to smile.

If you’re not up for all their antics, consider helping older animals who have been neglected and could benefit from having a safe, comfortable home to live out their golden years.

Fostering is great because you are allowing the cats to live in better conditions and giving the rescue group more time to find the cats high quality homes.

Without cat fosters, many cats and kittens would be euthanized from lack of space in a shelter.

By fostering cats, you’re doing a great service to rescue efforts.

5. Donations

Another way to honor your deceased cat is to make a donation to a local animal shelter or charity in your pet’s name.

Also, if there is a shelter or animal facility being built or expanded in your area, there’s a chance they are selling bricks or plaques in exchange for donations.

Purchasing a brick or plaque in your pet’s name while simultaneously helping other animals in need is a phenomenal way to honor your cat.

6. Volunteer

If you want a more hands-on experience, you can always volunteer your time to a local shelter or animal charity.

Volunteering at a shelter could be as simple as petting the cats, bottle feeding kittens, or walking dogs. Shelter animals could always use more human companionship.

If have another skill that the shelter can use, consider donating your time that way.

For example, if you’re a great photographer, you could offer to take photos of the animals for an adoption website.

If you’re skilled at organizing community events, you could try putting together a fundraising event to benefit the charity or shelter of your choosing.

Conclusion

No matter how you choose to honor your cat who has passed on, give yourself time to grieve the loss.

Cats are more than just pets – they are family. Finding a fitting tribute to your feline friend helps ease the loss and gives you something positive to focus on.

Choose something that honors your cat and makes you smile when you think of them.

Summary: 6 Ways to Honor a Cat That Has Passed Away

1. Memory pieces
2. Plant a tree
3. Adopt another cat
4. Foster kittens & cats
5. Donate to animal shelters
6. Volunteer for animal causes

QUESTION: If you have ever lost a pet, how did you choose to honor their memory?

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