Are "in memoriam" paw prints ever faked?

My cat had big, polydactyl feet that I, of course, adored. She passed very suddenly a few years ago, and I didn't even know vets did paw prints when your animal dies, so it was a really comforting surprise when they gave us a print along with her ashes.

But...it doesn't have the right number of toes. I hate to feel suspicious over this sweet gesture, but how likely is it that it's really her paw? Are they ever just printed off of a template? Maybe the toes didn't show up because no one knew to spread her footie out...?

It's a doubt that I've tried to ignore for awhile, so I'd appreciate anyone putting my mind at ease either way 💕

Posted Sep 12, 2026, 2:29 AM UTC · locked

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