Our story

Hi, I'm Dee — a visual designer and illustrator based in London, and the founder of Oat & Paw.

I started this shop after losing my dog Oat. What I couldn't find was a pet memorial urn that felt genuinely beautiful — something that belonged in a home, not hidden away. So I made one. And then I kept making them.

Every handmade wooden urn and ceramic keepsake here is designed with both form and function in mind. As a designer, I believe the two are inseparable. Each piece should work well, feel right, and mean something every time you look at it.

I work with a small group of woodworkers and ceramic artists — all animal lovers, all craftspeople. We use solid natural wood, chosen for its grain and growth rings, because wood carries its own history. We hand-paint botanicals onto ceramic surfaces, because nature is where everything returns.

Our custom pet urns are made for dogs, cats, rabbits, and small animals — each one personalised from your photo, carved or sculpted by hand, and laser-engraved with your pet's name.

I believe we should celebrate life. And meet death with the same intention.

This is the last gift you give them. It should be beautiful.

Our Process —

Handmade Wooden Pet Urn with Carved Figurine

1. We select basswood from a sustainable timber plantation and sketch your pet onto the base material. Using a wire saw, we remove only what is needed from the wood—no more, no less.

2. In the workshop, we carve the rough shape of the figurine and establish its pose, bringing your pet’s form to life.

3. We then refine the details, shaping the paws, nose, ears, tail, and eyes before carefully carving the texture of the fur and the small features that make your pet unique.

4. A base coat of paint is applied to the figurine. Depending on the colour and pattern of your pet’s coat, multiple layers may be added to achieve the closest possible match.

5. Larger spots are painted first, followed by finer details such as the eyes, facial features, and delicate tufts of fur.

6. Once the figurine is complete, we pair it with your selected urn and prepare it for its journey home to you.

Our process

We select basswood from a sustainable timber plantation and sketch your pet onto the base material. Using a wire saw, we remove only what is needed from the wood—no more, no less.

In the workshop, we carve the rough shape of the figurine and establish its pose, bringing your pet’s form to life.

We then refine the details, shaping the paws, nose, ears, tail, and eyes before carefully carving the texture of the fur and the small features that make your pet unique.

A base coat of paint is applied to the figurine. Depending on the colour and pattern of your pet’s coat, multiple layers may be added to achieve the closest possible match.