When a pet passes away, the days that follow can feel overwhelming. You are grieving, and at the same time you are faced with decisions you may never have had to make before. Having clear, compassionate options available can make all the difference for families across Cascade County, Sun River, Fort Shaw, and the surrounding communities. Knowing what to expect and who will be there to help can bring a measure of comfort during a deeply difficult time.
At Great Plains Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Jessica Johnson and our team believe your pet deserves the same care and respect after their passing that they received throughout their life. Cremation is one of many veterinary services we offer with that same commitment in mind. We care for every pet as if they were our own, and that extends to the aftercare decisions that follow. We are here to walk you through your options with patience, without pressure, and with the honesty you expect from the team that cared for your companion.
We offer two cremation options to accommodate the different wishes and needs of families in our community. Both are handled through our trusted partner, 406 Pet Crematory, whose team shares our commitment to compassionate, respectful aftercare for every pet in their care.
| Private Cremation | Communal Cremation | |
|---|---|---|
| Ashes returned to family | Yes — in a memorial urn | No |
| Cremated individually | Yes | No — alongside other pets |
| Best for families who want to… | Keep a lasting remembrance at home | Dignified care without receiving remains |
We partner with 406 Pet Crematory for all of our cremation services. Their team is aligned with our values: compassion, transparency, and a genuine respect for the animals and families in their care. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, veterinarians should treat a client’s pet the way they would treat their own when selecting aftercare providers, and that standard guides every partnership we maintain.
Preserving a small, physical reminder of your pet is something many families find meaningful. Depending on your wishes, we can provide one or more of the following:
Please let our team know in advance if there is something special you would like us to preserve. We are happy to make sure it is handled thoughtfully and with care.
We want families throughout Cascade County to be able to plan ahead with clear information. The tables below show current fees by cremation type and pet weight.
| Pet Weight | Communal Cremation | Private Cremation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 30 lbs | $115 | $200 |
| 31 – 60 lbs | $125 | $220 |
| 61 – 90 lbs | $145 | $250 |
| 91 – 120 lbs | $170 | $280 |
| Over 120 lbs | $220 | $340 |
| Clay Paw Print | $25 | |
| Nose Print / Fur / Whiskers | No charge | |
Once your pet is placed in our care, our team will respectfully prepare them for transportation to 406 Pet Crematory. We handle every step with the same care and attentiveness your pet received throughout their life.
There is no obligation to decide immediately. We understand that grief is not on a schedule, and we will give you the space and the information you need to make the choice that feels right for your family. You can also review our frequently asked questions or browse our pet care guides for additional resources.
If your pet passes away at home and you would like assistance with cremation and aftercare, please call our clinic. Our team can help explain your options and guide you through what to do next. You do not need to navigate these decisions alone. We are here to help you through the process from start to finish, and we will answer every question as many times as you need. When you are ready, you can also book an appointment or contact us directly.
Dr. Jessica Johnson, a 2017 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, founded Great Plains Veterinary Clinic on a simple belief: kindness and excellent medicine go together. Our team has worked to build a clinic where pets are treated as individuals and where families are met with transparency and care at every step, including at the end of a pet’s life. We hold a perfect 5.0-star rating, the highest in the region, because we take that responsibility seriously.
Losing a pet is never easy, and no family in Cascade County, Sun River, Fort Shaw, Cascade, or Power should feel alone in that moment. If you have questions about our cremation services or want to talk through your options before making any decisions, we invite you to connect with our team through our online contact form. We are ready to help.
Let’s work together to give your pet the happy, healthy life they deserve.