The second national Pet Remembrance Day, which is organised by 3D printing specialists Arty Lobster and Pets Magazine, has been confirmed for the summer.

On Tuesday July 5th, people across the UK will remember beloved companion animals that have died.

Pet Remembrance Day provides an opportunity for people to celebrate the lives of pets and the increasing number of ways in which we can commemorate them.

This year, Pet Remembrance Day is proud to support The Oldies Club , a national charity, which rehomes dogs aged seven and over that are in need of homes.

Pet lovers will also be able to nominate pets on social media using the hashtag #PetRemembranceDay to be immortalised in 3D by Arty Lobster. One will be chosen to have their likeness fashioned into a three-dimensional sculpture.

A Twitter chat will take place on Tuesday July 5 using the hashtag #PetRemembranceDay for people to show their support and share thoughts and photos of deceased companion animals.

Pets are becoming such important members of our families that it seemed strange that there wasn’t a special day to remember them.

Marie Carter, Editor & Publisher of Pets Magazine, said: “We set up Pet Remembrance Day in conjunction with Arty Lobster to remember deceased pets. Pets are becoming such important members of our families that it seemed strange that there wasn’t a special day to remember them. We needed to do something and getting together with Arty Lobster, a company which produces amazing 3D pet sculptures, was the perfect solution.

“We had amazing support last year for Pet Remembrance Day last year with many poignant stories of pet loss and grief as people shared their feelings, memories and photos of their departed pets on social media. The day also generated major support from Facebook groups such as The Rabbit Welfare Association and the campaigning group Cavaliers are Special and Your Cat magazine.

We needed to do something and getting together with Arty Lobster, a company which produces amazing 3D pet sculptures, was the perfect solution.

“A Twitter chat also saw much interaction including celebrity retweets. Using the hashtag #PetRemembranceDay, several hundred people shared their stories in a national outpouring of grief over pet loss. It is clearly a day that people have been waiting for and we wanted this year to raise money for a special cause that would help older pets find lovely homes in which to see out their final years.”

Lars Andersen, Managing Director of Arty Lobster, said: “As a country, we still do not really know how to remember our pets and to deal with their loss. Pet Remembrance Day provides a space for people to remember departed pets and to celebrate their lives.

“A growing part of our customer base is served by people looking for that lasting memento mori of their pet. People want to have a good send off for their pet, which is most usually their dog or cat companion. They also want ways of remembering their pet and its quirks and character traits and the importance it played in their lives and the life of the family.”

Olive Armstrong, at The Oldies Club, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve been chosen to be the nominated charity for Pet Remembrance Day this year. Our pets are members of our families too, and to dedicate a special day to remember them is a great idea.”

“At The Oldies club, we have so many older dogs desperately in need of new forever homes in which to see out their final years. Older dogs can be the most loving and special dogs and they crave love and a nice spot in a warm home to snooze. We have so many people who have adopted an older dog and say they would definitely do so again, as they have had such a good experience with the dog. We are also looking for people who would like to foster an older dog, so please do get in touch with us via our website if you can help.”

On Pet Remembrance Day, there are many ways in which people can remember deceased pets, including:

• A memorial service in a place where the pet liked to walk or play.

• A living memorial by planting a tree or flowerbed

• A pet sculpture or portrait featuring the pet or their image printed on a coaster or other accessory

• A scrapbook with photos and other reminders of the pet.

• An online memorial with photos of the pet

• A poem about the pet

• Donating to charity or volunteering at an animal rescue centre in remembrance of the pet