Freeze Dry Pet Preservation Process

Pet owners cherish their pets as they play a large role in their happiness and daily lives. Many pets have a short lifespan, leaving an owner to preserving their memories with keepsakes and pictures. The freeze-drying pet preservation process is a form of taxidermy that allows pet owners to forever preserve their animal to display within their home.

  1. Collection

    • Proper preservation and preparation of the deceased pet is critical to achieving a quality freeze-dried pet. The owner should place the pet within a plastic storage or trash bag and remove as much as air as possible before sealing. The bag needs to be placed within a freezer until it is transported to freeze-drying location. When mailing an animal you will place it within a Styrofoam cooler with a block of dry ice to keep it thoroughly frozen for the journey.

    Pose

    • The taxidermist will collect information on the animal and how you would like it posed, as well as any pictures you have of your pet while it was alive. The animal is thawed and posed with a supporting frame of wire and wood, which will keep it stationary during the drying process. Owners can choose from virtually any pose that best represents their memory of the pet. The animal's eyes can be open, with artificial eyes placed once the drying process is finished.

    Freeze Drying

    • After the pet is posed, it is placed within a large freeze-drying machine. These machines feature a sealed vacuum chamber that is kept at very low temperatures that freezes any moisture within the animal. The vacuum draws this moisture out over a period of time, leaving the animal dry and preserved. Freeze-drying takes three to six months to complete, depending on the size and density of the animal.

    Finish

    • When the freeze-drying process is complete, the pet is manicured to the client's specifications. The skin and hair is treated with preservation products that inhibit growth of harmful bacteria and keep the hair from decomposing. Owners often want their pets placed upon an item such as a bed or blanket that they frequently rested or slept on. Taxidermists can make custom frames or stands for your pet to rest on, which hold the pet securely and prevent damage.