Paw and nose prints in Ottawa: a calm guide
Clay, ink, inkless paper or a 3D cast: this page explains what each one gives you, how the weather in Ottawa affects drying and setting, and what to ask your vet or crematory.
- Nose prints and fur clippings too
- Keep a scan so the original stays home
- Options that serve Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario
Home, clinic or crematory: paw prints in Ottawa
Many Ottawa families keep a pet's ashes at home in an urn through the winter, often with a collar and photo, and decide on a lasting memorial once the snow melts. Those with a yard may then add a memorial stone or plant a shrub. Paw prints in clay or ink are easy to take before collection, and a print from snowy paws is not what you want, so ask at the first call.
Ottawa's seasons shape memorials: many families wait until the ground thaws to plant a tree or place a stone, and some choose tulip bulbs, a nod to the flowers that fill the city's parks each May. A bio urn planted with a native maple or serviceberry is another option. Keeping a small portion of ashes in a keepsake first is wise if you might move.
If your pet dies at an emergency or specialty hospital in Ottawa, aftercare is usually arranged through that hospital's own crematory contract, which may not be the one your regular vet uses. Staff there can often take a quick clay or ink print, but at 3 am it may not happen unless you ask. Say clearly that you want one, and if the answer is uncertain, ask the crematory to take it at intake instead.
With roughly 1,017,000 residents, Ottawa is the 2nd-largest of the 15 Ontario communities we cover.
Our pages for Kingston (91 miles), Laval (97 miles) and Montreal (103 miles) describe the same choices from those towns' point of view, and the providers overlap, so a quote from one often covers Ottawa as well.
81.1%[1]
CANA projects the Canadian cremation rate will reach 81.1% by 2030.
~$32[2]
Paw-print add-ons at US crematories have a median price of about $32, from $10 to $76.
3-5% of body weight[3]
Embrace notes cremated remains typically weigh about 3-5% of the pet's original body weight.
Local customs and the keepsake you keep
In Canada, about 81.1%[1] of people are cremated, one of the higher rates around. Where cremation is this familiar, pet crematories are well established and a paw print is often a standard line on the price list. The catch is that standard can mean automatic. Ask what kind of print they take, whether you can see it before cremation and whether you can have a second copy.
The Canada percentage above is from CANA Industry Statistical Information (2030) and refers to human funerals. Treat it as context for Ottawa, not as a count of pets.
When the weather works against clay and ink
Local weather in Ottawa affects a paw print more than you might think. In hot, dry spells, air-dry clay can crack if it dries too fast, so dry it slowly indoors and turn it often. In humid months it stays soft for longer, so be patient. In cold weather, warm the clay in your hands and never let plaster freeze before it has set.
What owners in Ottawa typically pay for a print
Canadian paw print prices are mostly published by small studios and crematories. One Canadian studio charges from CA$155 for a handmade ceramic paw-print keepsake and asks buyers to allow 3 to 4 weeks[4]. A clinic or crematory clay print taken before cremation is usually much cheaper, so ask what's included when you book in Ottawa.
We keep the detailed Ontario price table on one page so it stays current: see Ontario prices.
Free tool
Memorial budget planner
Add up cremation, urn, keepsakes and a farewell so the total holds no surprises.
Rules in Ontario that touch on keepsakes
Renters in Ontario often can't bury a pet in the yard without the landlord's agreement, and even where they can, the grave stays behind when the lease ends. That's one reason portable memorials such as prints are so popular. The notes below set out what Ontario allows for burial and scattering; whatever they say, a print moves with you to the next address.
Ottawa's own guidance is published by City of Ottawa; it covers public collection, which is separate from arranging a private cremation.
In Canada, paw prints are usually arranged through your vet or the pet crematory at the same time as cremation, and some small studios make ceramic keepsakes from them. Cold winters are the main practical hurdle: warm clay in your hands, keep plaster work indoors and don't post a print that isn't fully dry. In Quebec, ask for an empreinte de patte.
Home burial and scattering are governed at the Ontario level first; our Ontario rules summary has the detail. Then check whether Ottawa or your HOA adds anything.
Getting a paw print in Ottawa, step by step
- If your pet dies while you're away from home, call the kennel, sitter or local vet and ask them to keep your pet cool and take a paw print before anything else happens.
- Ask them to photograph the print so you can check it's come out clearly; a text is fine.
- Decide whether to bring your pet home or arrange cremation where they are; the print can travel with either choice.
- Ask for ink rather than clay when the print has to be mailed. Card travels well in an envelope; wet clay often doesn't.
- If you're driving home with your pet, keep them cool and take your own print when you arrive, before burial or collection.
- Keep names, numbers and receipts from everyone you deal with, so the pieces fit together afterwards.
From paw print to pendant, frame or garden stone
If you are thinking of scattering ashes, many Ottawa owners think of the Ottawa River, the Rideau Canal or the lookouts in Gatineau Park. These are shared public spaces, busy with skaters, cyclists and hikers depending on the season, so choose a quiet early morning. A keepsake or jewellery holding a small portion is a gentler alternative that stays with you through every winter.
try the free planning tools, The services page is the place to compare what is included, or see what other families chose in the poll results, browse in-depth guides or recent articles. You can also browse every city in Canada. Nearby, we also cover Hamilton, Markham, Toronto and Brampton, and every city in Ontario.
Reader polls
What would you choose?
Vote anonymously and see how other readers answered. The results are live counts from people who visit this site, so they show real opinions, not a scientific sample.
Where would your pet's print live?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
When did (or will) you take your pet's print?
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If you had to decide today, which aftercare would you choose for your pet?
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Free tools to help you plan
Memorial budget planner
Add up cremation, urn, keepsakes and a farewell so the total holds no surprises.
Paw print keepsake chooser
Match a print method to your pet's size, fur and the keepsake you want to keep.
Jewelry ash capacity guide
How much ash fits in pendants, rings and glass, and how many pieces one pet can fill.
Questions people ask
Can a provider from a neighbouring town collect from Ottawa?
Usually yes. Kingston is about 91 miles away, Laval is about 97 miles away and Montreal is about 103 miles away, all inside a normal collection radius. Get the mileage written into the quote so there is no surprise on the day.
Is cremation common in Canada?
For people, yes: about 81.1%[1] of Canada deaths end in cremation, according to CANA Industry Statistical Information (2030). Nobody publishes the same figure for pets, but in our experience pet choices in Ottawa follow the human pattern closely, so cremation is the default most families here start from.
Will my vet or crematory take a paw print before cremation?
Most will if asked, and many include a clay or ink print in the package. But requests can be missed on a busy day, especially at emergency clinics. Mention it when you book, ask for it to be written on the aftercare form and ask whether it comes back to you that day or with the ashes. Once your pet has been cremated, the chance is gone.
What if my family can't agree who keeps the print?
Take several. Clay can be re-rolled and ink prints are quick, so there's no reason to stop at one. If the original is already made, photograph or scan it and have copies made: framed ink prints, small engraved tags or matching pendants. Our ashes sharing planner can help if you're dividing ashes between keepsakes too.
How do I get my pet's paw print in Ottawa?
You have three options. Take it yourself at home with clay or an ink kit, ideally while your pet is still well. Ask your vet or in-home euthanasia vet to take one at the appointment. Or ask the pet crematory to take one at intake, before cremation. Whichever you choose, ask for it in advance and check the print is clear before your pet leaves.
Should I use a local jeweler or an online maker for a paw print pendant?
Both work. A local jeweler or engraver in Ottawa lets you see samples and hand over the print in person. Online makers usually work from a photo or scan, so the original never has to leave your home. Ask either one for a proof before they start, and check how long it will take: a custom silver print charm takes about two weeks at one US maker[6].
Sources and our estimates
- [1] CANA projects the Canadian cremation rate will reach 81.1% by 2030. CANA Industry Statistical Information, 2030.
- [2] Paw-print add-ons at US crematories have a median price of about $32, from $10 to $76. Our estimate: median of [$10 clay (AGP), $15 laser engraving (AGP), $49 ink (Final Gift), $76 clay (Final Gift)]. How we calculate.
- [3] Embrace notes cremated remains typically weigh about 3-5% of the pet's original body weight. Embrace Pet Insurance - Bury or Cremate Your Dog? Costs, Pros & Cons, 2025.
- [4] Spawts, a Canadian studio, charges from CA$155 for a handmade ceramic paw-print keepsake and asks buyers to allow 3–4 weeks. Spawts – Ceramic keepsakes, 2026.
- [5] Published ashes-return times across the network's markets range from same-day (paid express) to about 4 weeks; a conservative typical window is 3-14 days. Our estimate: min/max across sources: Lambeth 3 days; US 5-10 days; RSPCA QLD within 14 days; AniCura Sweden 2-4 weeks. How we calculate.
- [6] A custom sterling silver actual-paw-print charm costs $143 before the chain (about $59–$79 for silver) and takes about 2 weeks to make. String of Jewels – Actual paw print necklace, 2026.
Ask who takes paw prints in Ottawa
Tell us what you need and where you are. We'll reply by email with clear options and prices so you can decide in your own time.