OUR STORY

I understand how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. Utah Pet Aquamation was started because of my dog, Trapper. In 2021 he was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney disease at only 6 years old and given “weeks to months” to live. I was devastated.

 

He was the happiest dog I’ve ever known. I didn’t want to think about saying goodbye, much less what to do afterward. As pet parents, we’re faced with impossible and inevitable decisions that, unfortunately, are unavoidable. These decisions are just as important as, and an extension of, the love we give them every day.

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I knew about aquamation through a friend in Austin. I decided that’s what I wanted for him. I began searching for a provider and discovered that no one was offering this on the Wasatch Front. This started 2 years of research and a huge leap of faith.

 

We officially opened on July 27, 2023. I feel strongly that pet owners should have choices when the inevitable time comes. If I wanted something gentler for my own pet I knew others would resonate with that as well.

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Trapper passed away in February of 2022 and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him. Though I meet people on one of their worst days, as they hand over their pet to me for care, it’s also really beautiful to see the love they have for them and hear stories about their time together.

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My love of animals started as a young child. My family had dogs, hamsters, and fish and I cared for stray cats as a child. My current pet family includes 2 bunnies and 2 dogs, all rescues. I've fostered numerous animals and have worked in animal welfare and non-profit fundraising for over a decade.

 

Thank you for entrusting us with the care of your precious family member. We will treat your pet as one of our own. 

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~Merritt Rinard