The organisation which sets standards in the UK pet funeral industry is calling for new laws to protect pet owners from unscrupulous operators.
The plea issued by the Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria comes in the wake of two disturbing court cases involving the disposal of animal ashes in the USA.
A funeral home director in the Pittsburgh area has been charged with defrauding more than 6,500 distraught pet owners. Patrick Vereb is accused of dumping huge numbers of deceased pets in landfill sites. He allegedly gave the owners ashes which turned out to be from other animal carcasses.
A separate investigation is also ongoing into Loving Care Pet Funerals of Catonsville, following claims of a similar nature. Owner Rodney Ward faces 65 charges. Lawmakers have responded swiftly to the incidents, with new legislation already drafted.
The APPCC says similar cases have already happened in this country and warns more will follow unless the government also takes decisive action.
Chairman Nick Ricketts remembers a particularly upsetting example where many people received urns containing what they believed to be their pets’ ashes. They were later horrified to discover that their bodies had been left in a field.
“An APPCC representative attended the sentencing of that case and did what he could to comfort the victims afterwards. The betrayal of trust was truly shocking to our profession. Over the years we have been championing the cause for stiffer sentences in cases like this.”
Mr Ricketts stresses that in the UK only APPCC registered pet funeral operators are obliged to follow a strict code of practice which helps to safeguard against such horrors taking place here.
He believes animal lovers would be shocked to learn that the pet funeral industry in this country is only regulated from the perspective of waste disposal legislation.
“That’s the very reason the APPCC was formed in 1993, to ensure that owners can be sure their pets are respectfully handled in death and given a dignified send-off.
“We felt there was a huge need to offer peace of mind to animal lovers and win public confidence in a sector which at times has generated headlines for all the wrong reasons. We’ve grown tremendously over the years, with members nationwide, as well as worldwide.
“However, not many people realise that unless a funeral operator is a member of the APPCC, important issues covering dignity and respectful handling of pets cannot be guaranteed. That loophole is in desperate need of plugging.”
The APPCC code of practice imposes stringent standards on its members, governing transportation, handling and the meticulous care of ashes. A process of rigorous independent inspections of pet funeral premises and systems have also been introduced, allowing operators to go a step further in offering peace of mind.
Mr Ricketts says the public also need to be warned that fraud is not the only way their beloved pets could be treated in ‘a most undignified way.’
“It is perfectly legal for an animal to be disposed of like a piece of litter and shockingly this often happens unwittingly,” he explained.
“Few people realise the remains of their pets could quite legally end up on a landfill site.”
While it is common for euthanised pets to be left at the vets, he adds, it does not automatically follow that they will be handled with the respect their owners expect.
“They could be taken on their final journey with lots of other animals, all piled in plastic bags on top of each other in the back of a van. The end destination is often a giant incinerator operating on an industrial scale, many miles away.”
APPCC director Kevin Spurgeon is encouraging concerned owners to do their homework on pet funeral firms.
“What is often described as a basic service is often not very nice at all, but I guess it is acceptable so long as the owners are aware of what happens. That’s the main point here, though, because we know that many people haven’t a got a clue what goes on. It’s not made clear to them, and they just presume everything will be carried out in a respectful way.
“They need to appreciate there is a huge difference between simply disposing of a pet like garbage or treating it with the same dignity a human being would expect. There is a stark choice to be made when the time comes to say goodbye and that needs to be spelt out.
“If you leave a pet at the vets or approach a pet crematorium or cemetery directly, our advice is to ask questions about the way it will be dealt with. If you contact an APPCC member, you will receive all the facts you need to make an informed decision.”
APPCC vice chairman Stephen Mayles claims the public are regularly mis-sold services – even by vets as well as pet funeral operators.
“There is an unacceptable lack of transparency which we believe flouts consumer rights.”
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is currently investigating the veterinary sector and part of that relates to pet cremations. The APPCC has welcomed the move as it has been trying to raise awareness for many years about vets unwittingly acting as agents.
“It has come to our attention that many of them have been promoting cremation services without fully explaining how they work,” says Mr Mayles.
“The CMA is looking at important transparency issues such as this. We have been consulted as part of the investigation and have submitted a comprehensive response.
“We have also told the CMA that only laws requiring written disclosure, accurate urn certification and a traceable chain of custody log guarantee what customers can expect. We want to see mandatory reports introduced on sensitive aspects such as the storage and transport of deceased pets.”
The APPCC is hoping that the Competition and Markets Authority will factor in such points in its recommendations for the pet cremation and veterinary services sector.
“These types of changes are happening in America. But we are also a country of animal lovers, and we need to follow suit. Unless the after-death process is fully described, it is all too easy to be taken in by the look of a place and the glossy website. The crucial factor is understanding how the service is conducted behind closed doors and whether that is what you would want for your beloved pet.”
The APPCC is urging veterinary practices and pet crematoria to make changes even ahead of any legislation being introduced.
Mr Mayles adds: “What they need to realise is that, if they are to abide by current law, they must adopt written service statements, signatures of cremation certificates, and open documentation.
“New crematoriums are opening all the time, and it’s important for any new operators to contact the APPCC if they want to ensure they operate on the right lines.”
Detailed advice on how members of the public can research pet funeral providers can be found on the APPCC website, along with a list of registered providers.