The clock is ticking to the start of the first-ever National Pet Remembrance Day (05/07/15), which has been set up to give people a special day to remember departed pets.

People are now being invited to submit photos of their deceased companion animals from Monday, 29th June to 12 midnight on National Pet Remembrance Day this coming Sunday (5th July) together with a sentence or two about why they miss them. 

All entries will be submitted into a competition to win one 3D sculpture of the pet by Arty Lobster (www.artylobster.com). To enter, please post to Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ArtyLobster or tweet using hashtag #PetRemembranceDay.

National Pet Remembrance Day has been set up to provide an opportunity for people to celebrate the increasing number of ways in which to commemorate our pets.

A Twitter chat will take place on Sunday 5th July using the hashtag #PetRemembranceDay for people to show their support and share thoughts and photos.

Here are several ways in which people can remember deceased pets on National Pet Remembrance Day:

1. A memorial service in a place where the pet liked to walk or play.
2. A memento mori such as a sculpture of the pet
3. A living memorial by planting a tree or flowerbed
4. A pet portrait featuring the pet or their image printed on a coaster or other accessory
5. A scrapbook with photos and other reminders of the pet.
6. An online memorial with photos of the pet
7. A poem about the pet

Other ideas include:

• Keeping the pet’s favorite toy, collar or blanket
• Volunteering at an animal rescue centre in remembrance of the pet

Lars Andersen, Managing Director of Arty Lobster, said: “While it’s now accepted and acceptable to grieve for a much-loved family pet, we still, as a country, do not really know how to remember our pets and to deal with their loss.

“Pets are increasingly regarded as members of our family, and basically we do not remember them as we should. Pet cremations in the UK are still a slowly growing market and pet memorials tend to be very ‘samey’ with the best you can hope for being an urn featuring the pet’s name.”

Mr Andersen added: “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.”

Marie Carter, Editor of Pets Magazine, said: “Grieving for a pet is gradually becoming widely accepted, and acceptable, but many people still don’t understand that for many pet owners, dogs and cats in particular, are now regarded as family members.

“There is a real need to recognise that, and for relatives, friends and employers to take into account the real, and often overwhelming, sense of grief that a pet owner can feel upon the death of a beloved companion animal. Arty Lobster’s pet sculptures are a wonderful way for pet owners to remember a deceased pet.”

 
Competition Terms and Conditions

• The competition runs from Monday 29th June to 12 midnight on Sunday 5th July.
• The winner will be notified via email
• There is no cash alternative to the stated prize
• The prize is available subject to availability
• By entering, you agree that personal details may be supplied to our partner company providing the prize and will take part in marketing activity to promote the competition
• Please note that this competition is open only to entrants who are currently resident in the UK
• The winner will be notified via email within 7 days from the closing date. If the prize is not claimed within 14 days of the notification email being sent the prize will be reallocated
• No correspondence will be entered into and the judges’ decision is final