While APPCC members avoid using freezers themselves and are forbidden to store pets stacked on top of one another in any such way, we do understand that veterinary surgeries are subject to their own laws and regulations. We advice that, where possible, vet practices should install a long enough freezer to enable pets to be laid out respectfully and ensure collections are frequent enough to prevent a large build up of pets. If there is space, then think about having a cold room, a small one can be reasonably priced to buy or lease. A lot of owners deal directly with crematoria because they do not like the idea of their pet being piled into a freezer in bags.

We understand that a lot of crematoriums don’t have an issue with pets being sent to them in any condition, and that this can save on your staff time and materials, but we always advise our veterinary partners to sew up before collection to preserve the dignity of the pet and ensure they are suitable for viewing should the owner wish to do so.

Prices obviously vary but overall a private crematorium is likely to cost slightly more and you are likely make slightly less profit per cremation than using one of the bigger corporations with their high volume ‘bulk’ collections and prices. Treating pets with compassion does incur higher costs, from dignified transportation, to storing pets peacefully until cremation time, to staff hours spent properly emptying cremators and preparing the ashes with care and respect. These standards are not only fiercely enforced within the APPCC but deeply valued by our members. The service you receive will reflect the level of care we take in all we do and will provide peace of mind for you and the pet owners who place their trust in you.

Many of our members are able to work with vets at their request and feel that to be a viable alternative option vets could choose would force standards across the industry to vastly improve. However, as large-scale company ownership stands, it can be difficult for vets to reach outside of the confines of those contracts to find quality aftercare for their clients. Whether your terms and conditions allow such, would be something you would have to check within your contracts and agreements with the company in question.

As far as we are concerned, we encourage you to recommend APPCC member crematoriums to anyone and everyone if you feel that the service your practice offers is not up to the standards you would want for your own or anyone’s pets. However, we would not want you to get in trouble if your contract or role defines that you are not permitted to recommend any other service than the one partnered with your surgery, we understand this could be especially problematic if your vet group and the crematorium is owned by the same corporation.

Yes! That is one of the more obvious advantages of using a small, local crematorium. The comfort owners gain from visiting the place that will conduct their beloved pet’s cremation can be immeasurable; if the crematorium is local this becomes much easier for them. Also, knowing that it is an APPCC member crematorium will give you the peace of mind that your clients will not be met by any disrespectful practices in what is, unfortunately, a largely unregulated industry when it comes to the dignified treatment of pets.