At Pet Cremation Services (PCS), our team is committed to supporting families through the difficult experience of losing a pet. Pets are like family, and while their owners are grieving the loss of their beloved companion, the least we can do is make the aftercare process as timely and compassionate as possible.
We recently sat down with Jack Seymour, our Packing and Quality Control Manager, to explore the care and respect that goes into every pet pickup. Jack has been a vital part of our aftercare team for nearly 21 years, overseeing the handling of remains, upholding quality standards, and coordinating timely returns to families.
“It’s a very hard job,” Jack shares, “but the drivers find it rewarding to take even a little of the burden off families during such a difficult time.”
Every pet we care for is treated with the utmost respect, from the moment they are picked up to the moment they are lovingly returned home. Here’s a closer look at our process, whether you’re working through a veterinary clinic or managing arrangements at home.
Veterinary Pickups
We’re proud to be the trusted pet cremation partner for veterinary clinics throughout Ohio. For many families, the final goodbye happens at the veterinary office. From that moment on, our transportation team steps in to ensure compassionate, seamless care.
We provide daily pickup service to local clinics and visit out-of-town locations on an every-other-day schedule. Each out-of-town clinic is assigned to one of our routes based on its distance from our Columbus headquarters.
With each clinic pickup, our process is designed to ensure accuracy, transparency, and respect at every step:
- Verification: We begin by confirming the pet’s identity and cremation details.
- Tagging and Tracking: A color-coded tag indicates private or companion cremation. A silver ID tag is also attached, with all information logged both on paper and in our VetLink Portal.
- Transportation and Identification: Pets are gently transported to our facility and assigned a unique digit number for internal tracking.
- Cremation and Packing: Our packing team uses the digit number to verify the pet’s identity before preparing the remains.
- Return Coordination: We work directly with the family to arrange a respectful return home.
Throughout this process, veterinary clinics can monitor the pet’s status in real time via our VetLink Portal, including when the pet is:
- In Transit
- Arrived
- In Process
- Ready for Delivery
- Out for Delivery
- Delivered
“Nothing beats the peace of mind the VetLink Portal provides vets and owners,” Jack says.
For Families At Home
We also offer home pick-ups for families experiencing a loss at home. During such an emotional time, many aren’t sure what to do next. That’s where we step in to provide peace of mind.
The process begins with a call to our care team. We gently walk families through the next steps, including:
- Understanding what happened
- The pet’s size
- Type of cremation requested
We also discuss memorial options such as engraved urns, paw prints, and keepsake jewelry—helping families choose what feels most meaningful. Many find comfort browsing our website to explore these offerings in more detail.
Prompt, Personal Service
Timeliness matters. If we receive a call before 2 p.m., we can often provide same-day pickup. We offer a convenient two-hour timeframe so families know when to expect our visit. In some cases, special arrangements can be made based on individual needs.
One of our eight trusted drivers will arrive during the scheduled time to gently bring the pet into our care. Our drivers understand these pets aren’t just animals, they are cherished companions.
Before leaving, we ensure families have our contact information and explain that we’ll be in touch when their pet is ready to come home.
“While we’re committed to returning remains within 3 to 5 business days, many pets are brought home sooner,” Jack notes. “In my experience, pets from Columbus often return within one to two days.”
If a family requests additional memorial items like a paw print, custom urn, or lock of fur, the return may take a little longer. We always take the time needed to honor every detail with care. If a family hasn’t yet finalized their memorial selections at pickup, we hold the pet respectfully until we can connect.
For families outside the Columbus service area, we follow a two-day delivery window. For example, if a pet is picked up Monday, ashes are often returned by Wednesday. We coordinate every delivery with the family directly to ensure they are home and prepared.
For more information on what to expect as a family choosing the home pick-up option, check out our breakdown of the At-Home Pick Process. And to learn more about Jack Seymour and his experience at PCS, read our spotlight blog, Meet Jack Seymour.