When Kerri Collier saw a need for pet loss services in the Traverse City area, she opened a very unique business — one that she’s calling the premier place for Northern Michigan’s grieving pet owners to turn to. Now, that business is expanding, and the owner hopes that this expansion will help to better serve the community.

Great Lakes Pet Memorial, which opened in 2008, offers several types of services for pet owners in Northern Michigan. While one of the primary services of the business is cremation, Collier said they offer much more than ‘just ashes.’ Pet owners are welcome at their facility, and they keep regular business hours for a memorial products store in the front of the facility. The business also recently completed a renovation to their building, and now offer a small private farewell room for pet owners to spend some quiet alone time with their beloved companions.

“Pet owners of today want to be more involved, meet the people who will be handling their cherished pets, and see for themselves where they’re being sent. Our clients want and need to have peace of mind or closure when it comes to losing a dearly loved friend; we’re able to give them that,” said Kerri Collier, who owns the business.

Collier said that Great Lakes Pet Memorial offers several choices when it comes to pet cremation. Clients can witness their pet’s cremation if they choose to. For pet owners who do not want their ashes returned to them, Great Lakes Pet Memorial will spread the ashes in their ‘Memorial Flower & Rose Garden’ located on their facility’s property. In addition to offering cremation services, Collier’s business sells items to help memorialize a lost pet. Her shop sells memorials like custom urns and caskets, engraved stones and markers, and sympathy cards.

Collier said that her unique business has gained attention from many local veteranarians, who are sending business her way. Great Lakes Pet Memorial is also catching the eyes of pet owners from all over Michigan. People are choosing to make the trek to Great Lakes Pet Memorial because, according to Collier, the business gives those pet owners some special ways to remember their companions. The Traverse City business has drawn clients from around the state — Collier says she’s had visitors from Manistique, Sault Ste. Marie, Bay City, Clare, Mackinaw Island, and even from as far away as Alaska.

For more information on the business, you can log on to www.GLPetMemorial.com.