For the Reporter

The Pet Loss Center, a pet loss and memorial services company, opened its doors on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 309 49th St. NE, Suite F, Auburn.

The center offers pet owners and veterinary clinics final arrangement services including cremation, memorialization, rituals and grief support.

After years of looking at the Seattle market from a distance, Coleen Ellis, a nationally-recognized pet loss expert and co-founder of the Texas-based Pet Loss Center, is thrilled to finally offer a brick-and-mortar service center and enhance and grow its offerings in the area.

“Seattle is a great choice for the newest center,” Ellis said. “After all, when you have a city where households with cats and dogs outnumber households with children, it is clear how important these fur babies are in this market. The Pet Loss Center will be exactly what veterinarians and pet parents will need for those beloved pets and their respectful and dignified end-of-life journey.”

The center aims to establish a community connection, emphasizing the positive affect the organization can have on local shelters, law enforcement, military and the elderly.

The center also trains veterinarians to address pet loss within their facility by providing pet loss and grief companioning classes and certification for grief counseling.

The Pet Loss Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.

An open house is Thursday, Sept. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be a ribbon cutting, followed by a bubble release honoring pets that have crossed the rainbow bridge. Refreshments will be served.

To learn more, visit thepetlosscenter.com.