Frequently Asked Questions

Losing a beloved pet is never easy, and we know this difficult time often comes with many questions. At Horizon, we want you to feel supported and informed every step of the way. Owned and operated by Phoenix veterinarian Dr. Matthew Capitanio, our team brings over 20 years of veterinary and pet cremation experience to provide compassionate, private, same-day cremation services. This FAQ page is here to give you clear answers about our process, services, and what makes Horizon a trusted choice for honoring your pet with dignity and care.

Yes, Horizon is veterinarian-owned and operated by Dr. Matthew Capitanio, a dedicated local Phoenix veterinarian,  who has over 20 years of combined working and ownership experience in both the veterinary and pet cremation fields.

Horizon is owned and operated by Dr. Matthew M. Capitanio, a dedicated local Phoenix veterinarian. Privately funded and solely owned by Dr. Capitanio, Horizon stands as a local, independently-operated pet cremation service with no private equity involvement.

Horizon is proud to be the only Arizona pet cremation provider registered with the Arizona Veterinary Medical Board (licensing body) to exclusively offer private cremations. This distinction ensures that Horizon stands apart from other providers who may offer communal or individual cremations but are not strictly registered as private crematories in Arizona.

Horizon exclusively offers Private Cremations. Dr. Capitanio believes every pet is unique and deserves individual attention. At Horizon, this philosophy extends to after-life care—that’s why we only offer private cremation, treating each pet with dignity, compassion, and respect.

Since we only perform private pet cremations, there is no risk of mix-ups. We use the same digital tracking system trusted for human family members. Each pet is assigned a unique barcode and documented at every step, with your family and pet’s name clearly labeled on the container. Digital records, physical paperwork, and staff oversight ensure accuracy, and signatures are required when your pet’s ashes are returned—providing complete accountability and peace of mind.

Ashes are returned the next day, hand-delivered directly to you for added peace of mind.

You can call us directly or fill out the contact form. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support and answer any questions.

We offer same-day pickups from your home or veterinary clinic across the Phoenix metro area. Our team offers 24/7 services and responds quickly to provide timely, compassionate service.

Yes. We coordinate with veterinary clinics for pickup, or we can come directly to your home—whichever is more convenient during this difficult time.

Yes, we offer Pocket Pet Cremation services for fish, birds, snakes and other small animals.

We offer a range of urns to suit different preferences and budgets. You can view the available options and pricing directly on our service page.

Yes, we offer a variety of memorial options in addition to urns. You can explore paw prints, clay impressions, jewelry, and more on our service page.

Horizon has established a serene and heartfelt memorial space in Arizona to honor pets who have passed on. When the family selects no ashes to be returned, the cremains from those privately cremated pets are respectfully scattered on a regular basis at Horizon’s Pet Memorial Gardens located in Phoenix, Arizona. Clearly marked areas designating the scattering areas are present. Please note, pets are not individually identified.