How to Transport Your Pet's Body to the Vet or Crematorium

Use a blanket, not your arms

Lay a blanket beside them, roll them gently onto it, and use the blanket as a stretcher. This is easier on your back, easier on their dignity, and far easier with two people. Do not attempt to lift a medium or large dog alone; you will hurt yourself and you may drop them.

Line the car

Place a plastic sheet or bin bags in the boot or footwell, with a blanket over the top. Fluid release is normal and having prepared for it saves you a distressing clean-up afterwards. A cardboard box works well for cats and small dogs and is easier to carry into a clinic than a blanket.

Phone ahead

Tell the practice or crematorium you are coming and roughly when. Most will meet you at the door or bring a trolley out to the car so you are not carrying your dog through a waiting room of other people's healthy pets. Almost every practice will do this if you ask; very few will offer it unprompted.

Or do not do it at all

Collection from your home exists precisely so you do not have to do this. In South Africa it usually costs R250–R600 depending on distance and size. For a large dog, or if you are on your own, it is money well spent.