For many people, pets become best friends, furry companions, and part of the family. When a pet passes away (whether it’s a bird, cat, dog, horse, or ferret) the loss can be devastating. Pictures and memorials can help recall fond memories and help pet owners smile while they remember the good times they had together.
Overview: Our Top Picks
Pet Memorial Frames
- Pet paw print keepsake photo frame ($17.70)
- Pet ashes and keepsake frame ($202.97+)
- Pet urn shadow box ($58.68)
- Picture and poem frame ($29.95)
- Custom wood photo gift ($25.00)
- Double-sided frame ($25.99)
- Shadowbox picture frame with linen board ($19.99)
- "In loving memory" photo frame ($27.95)
- Personalized photo keychain ($29.70+)
- Custom pet portrait ($25.00+)
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Different Types of Pet Memorial Frames and Shadow Boxes
- Where to Buy Pet Memorial Frames or Shadow Boxes Online
Whether you’re searching for a picture frame to commemorate your own furry friend or someone else’s, pick a frame that brings out something memorable and unique about your deceased pet.
Different Types of Pet Memorial Frames and Shadow Boxes
Depending on the type of memorial you want to set up for your furry friend, you’ll typically choose between a memorial frame and a shadow box. Frames are great for displaying a pet’s picture. Shadow boxes let you create a mini memorial for your pet. You can include items, such as their collar, a charm, and even a special toy they loved, into the display of a shadow box. If you choose a picture frame, you can hang their collar on the frame or place a special toy nearby, instead.
1. Picture and “Paw” Print
This is a particularly special frame that can be used for any pet but works especially with cats, dogs, birds, and animals with small paws or feet. It will, however, take some planning and thinking ahead.
The frame comes with a kit to complete the opposing side of the frame. The kit includes plaster of Paris to capture the paw or claw print of your best friend. This needs to be done while your pet is still living, so it requires some thinking ahead. Most kits work best with smaller animals.
Once completed, you’ll have a completed fold-out picture frame. On one side, there’s room for a special picture of your beloved friend. On the other side, a shadow box should be just large enough for the plaster of Paris paw print or claw print.
The frame can be further personalized with the pet’s name and dates lived.
Pro tip: Want to capture a large animal print such as a hoof print? It would be best to get a plaster of Paris memorial stone kit instead.
2. Picture and Collar Display
This is another special type of frame that combines a picture and a pet keepsake. On one side of the frame, you’ll have room for a picture. On the other side, there is room for your pet’s collar and another picture, a short poem, or another small trinket that belonged to your pet.
This is a beautiful gift for someone who lost a pet and isn’t sure how to memorialize him. The picture and collar are a great way to keep a pet’s memory alive.
3. Pet Urn Shadow Box
An urn shadow box is an ideal option for those who want to combine their memorial shadow box with the urn for their pet. This holds the cremains of the pet and can be sized accordingly — larger boxes for larger animals such as Great Danes and smaller boxes for miniature animals such as toy breeds or birds.
The pet’s cremains will be placed inside the box and sealed to keep them safe. The top of the box will contain a glass section to hold meaningful items from your pet like a collar, bandana, small toy, charm, or another item.
If you'd like to learn how to make your own shadow box, read our guide on DIY shadow boxes.
4. Picture and Poem
For pet owners who would like a little something special, such as a poem or place to write down a remembrance, a picture and poem frame is a great option. Like the former frames, this is two-sided with room for a picture on one side of the fold-out and a poem or saying on the other side.
Many picture and poem frames come with a stock poem, such as, “When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart.”
5. Picture on Wood
You might want to consider a picture printed on wood. This unique display takes a picture that you have of your pet and digitally prints it directly onto a wood slab or board.
Because the process is digital, you can customize your picture with unique effects, such as making the background black and white and only keeping your animal in color. You can also add wording such as your pet’s name and dates or a phrase like, “In loving memory.”
6. Foldable Frame
Many double-sided frames are foldable. However, there are also more elaborate types of foldable frames that can be used to provide a special memorial for your pet. Some foldable frames open up like a flower and each leaf or petal holds a picture of your pet.
Others form a box that can be opened up to provide space for five pictures of your pet on the inside and another six pictures on the outside. This makes an especially unique tribute if adding it as part of a pet memorial.
6. Linen Board Shadow Box Frame
Looking for a rustic shadow box that provides a stylish method of memorializing your pet? Go with a linen or canvas board shadow box frame.
This three-dimensional box provides space for tacking favorite pictures onto the back of the shadow box while choosing larger items such as a collar, a small toy, or other trinkets that remind you of your beloved pet inside the box itself.
7. Doghouse Shadow Box
Choose a shadow box that looked like your pet’s special place. This could be a doghouse, a birdhouse, a barn, or other pet-specific location.
Within the box, you’ll have room to pin several pictures, place your pet’s collar or nameplate, and maybe a special toy.
8. Stone Paw Print Frame
These are ideal for pet memorial gardens and they usually come as a kit. To create a stone paw print frame, you’ll use plaster of Paris to take a print of your dog or cat’s paw, the feet of your bird, or the hoof of your horse, goat, pig, or another animal.
While the plaster of Paris dries, insert a special photo holder into the mold. When dry, you’ll have a safe place to insert a photo of your pet and your pet’s paw or footprint directly underneath.
9. “In Loving Memory” Frame
This is a frame that has a large area for a picture. At the top of the frame, it says, “In loving memory.” At the bottom of the frame, the phrase is completed.
Together, the frame reads, “In loving memory of my loyal friend.” If desired, you can customize this frame to read, “In loving memory of [name],” or “In loving memory of our family’s best friend.”
10. Woven Heart Frame
Animals weave themselves into your heart and life. This frame speaks to the way your life intertwined with your animal friend. Along with ample room for a picture, the outside of the frame reads, “You left paw prints forever on our hearts.”
11. “Forever Loved” Frame
Pets are loved forever. Numerous frames reference the eternal bond you may have with your pet.
You can find frames with wording along the edge that reads, “No longer by my side but forever in my heart,” “Loved you from the start, now forever in my heart,” and “You have left my life but you will never leave my heart.”
12. Wooden Frame with Clip
For a classic, rustic picture frame, consider using a wood slab. This is an easy project to DIY if you want to put your own creative spin on it. Simply paint the slab white.
Then, on one side, paint a phrase such as, “Forever in my heart” and on the other side, attach a single picture with a clip. Add the name of your pet, birth and death dates, and you’re done.
13. Wooden Picture Block
This is a simple wooden block with personalized text on top and pictures around to display a picture of your pet.
The top of the block can be customized with your pet’s name and dates. A cube frame is ideal for areas where you can see both the front and back such as on a counter or side table.
14. Keychain Picture Frame
If you want a miniature picture to take with you no matter where you are, opt for a small keychain picture frame.
This will fit right beside your car keys. You can find numerous shapes from a heart to a paw print. Many companies allow custom engraving on the back so you can inscribe the name and dates of your pet.
15. Picture on Canvas
Pictures on canvas can be completely customized with a picture of your favorite animal and include wording such as, “In loving memory.”
They can be enlarged and are ideal when creating a pet memorial wall. A picture on canvas can easily serve as the centerpiece for your memorial wall, surrounded by other pictures, pet-themed decor, and remembrances of your pet.
Where to Buy Pet Memorial Frames or Shadow Boxes Online
Pet memorial frames and shadow boxes can be found in many online storefronts. The places listed here will give you a wide variety of options to choose from with inscription and customization features.
Amazon
Amazon has a huge selection of pet memorial frames and shadow boxes. Most frames and boxes have inscriptions and sayings already printed. Customization might be available with a few sellers but is not widely available. Examples of what you’ll find include:
- Rustic photo frames
- Collar shadow boxes
- Shadow box kits with paw impressions
- Multiple-photo frames
- Rainbow Bridge themed frames
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, shipping is free, and your purchase should arrive in around two days.
Etsy
Etsy is the place to go if you’re looking for a custom, one-of-a-kind photo frame or shadow box. Customization options are widely available for both display options. You’ll find:
- Rustic photo frames
- Glass etched photo frames
- Memorial plaque photo frames
- Collar shadow boxes
- Pawprint shadow boxes
Check for individual seller discounts and offers such as free shipping.
The Comfort Company
The Comfort Company specializes in sympathy and memorial gifts. The company doesn’t have options for shadow boxes, but there are several beautiful frames to choose from. Customization options aren’t available on the site, but several frames come with a tag that can be engraved when you receive the frame.
Frame options include:
- Multiple-picture frames
- Frames with a collar display
- Rustic photo frames
- Picture and poem frames
Each frame comes with free ground shipping.
Heart to Heart Sympathy Gifts
Heart to Heart is another sympathy gift store specializing in memorial items. There is a wide variety of frame options to choose from, along with limited customization options. You’ll find frame styles including:
- Photo frame with keepsake urn
- Rainbow Bridge themed frames
- Multiple-photo frames
- Rustic wood frames
Each frame comes with free shipping.
Etched in My Heart
This company specializes in customizable wood photo frames. If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward frame for a picture of your pet, this is the place to come. Each frame has a different saying or phrase and includes the name and dates of your pet.
Frames feature phrases such as:
- “Paw prints in heaven, paw prints on my heart.”
- “If love alone could have kept you here, you would have lived forever.”
- “Meet you at the rainbow bridge.”
- “If tears could build a stairway, I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you home.”
There are a few added bonuses when you purchase a memorial frame through Etched in My Heart. Each purchase has a 100% money-back guarantee and helps rescued pets. If you’re purchasing this as a gift, you’ll be happy to know that the frame comes in a gift box with an included recipient card.
Personalization Mall
Personalization Mall specializes in providing customized products of all types, including pet memorial frames. If none of the online stores listed above have what you’re looking for, you just might find it at the Personalization Mall. Here, you’ll find:
- Rustic wood frames
- Keychain frames
- Canvas photo prints
- Photo cube frames
- Garden flag photos
- LED shadow boxes
- Ornament frames
- Urn frames
All items ship within one to two days. Check for discounts on shipping and individual items.
Remembering Your Friends
Your pet may no longer be with you but it doesn’t mean you stop loving him. A special picture of your pet and a few things your pet loved helps you keep your pet’s presence close with pet memorial frames.
Another great way to honor a loved one is by creating an online memorial page. This creates a place where family and friends can write tributes and make a donation for funeral expenses. Cake's memorial page includes many features, such as a memorial wall, photo sharing, funeral resources, and more. It's free and easy to create an online memorial page with Cake.