Our Story
The Story Behind Pets at Peace
In 2009, Rick Harris Jr. experienced the heartbreak that so many pet owners face, the loss of a beloved companion. His dog Jessie, a loyal and loving Great Dane mix, had been a cherished member of the family. Rick was devastated and wanted to care for her with the same love, dignity, and respect that any human family member would receive in death.
With his background in funeral service, Rick asked the kinds of questions every grieving pet owner deserves answers to:
- Who will pick up our dog for cremation?
- When will she be picked up?
- What kind of identification is in place to ensure we receive only Jessie’s cremated remains?
- How long will it take to get her remains back?
The answers he received were disheartening. The level of care for pet loss in Monroe County at the time was shockingly inadequate, impersonal, unprofessional, and lacking the sensitivity families need during such a painful moment. Rick knew something had to change.
Later that year, drawing on the same values of integrity, professionalism, and compassionate care that his grandfather established when founding Paul W. Harris Funeral Home in 1946, Rick launched Pets at Peace by Harris Funeral Home. The mission was simple but powerful: to offer pet families the kind of respectful, transparent, and loving care they deserved.
Today, Pets at Peace is the most trusted pet cremation provider in Monroe County and surrounding areas. Still owned and operated by the Harris family, the business remains committed to offering services that honor the deep bond between people and their pets.
In 2025, Pets at Peace continued this legacy with a move to a new, state-of-the-art location in Penfield, featuring three Rainbow Bridge Rooms. This peaceful space allows families to say goodbye in a setting that reflects the love and connection they shared with their pet, marking yet another step forward in offering compassionate, meaningful care at life’s most tender moments.
