Kevin inspecting an Irish Pet Crematorium on Farm Fixer

This shows Kevin Spurgeon from Dignity Pet Crematorium inspecting an Irish pet cremation service for the APPCC for a BBC programme.  The couple then visit Dignity Pet Crematorium to see the high standards of service and attention to detail plus get some valuable advice from Kevin.

 

Or view on our YouTube Channel here:  http://www.youtube.com/v/o-CWcJGi0nA?version=3&autohide=1&autohide=1&feature=share&showinfo=1&autoplay=1&attribution_tag=nF4UUdplaUVXu85_D9tiBw

Pet Crematorium features in new Dog Book

Pet Crematorium features in new

Dog Friendly Gardening Book

Dog-friendly Gardening: Creating a safe haven for you and your dog

I readily admit that I receive a regular stream of calls that other people would consider strange or bizarre and it is rare that I admits to an enquiry ever taking me by surprise, but when Karen Bush contacted me to ask if I would contribute to her book on gardening I was left lost for words!

I am not the world’s greatest gardener and so luckily for me the book in question was called “Dog-friendly gardening – creating a safe haven for you and your dog” and Karen’s request was for some expert advice on pet cremation and burial, as well as information on ways to remember your much loved pet after their death. 

Although I have been asked to contribute to articles before this is the first time I have been involved in a book on gardening!  Karen’s book is a must read for dog lovers as it gives easy to follow advice on, amongst other things, how to make your dog’s environment safe, stimulating and fun for them. 

 

I was really flattered when I was asked to help in the chapter entitled “Goodbye, dear friend” and there is a lovely photograph of my wonderful dog Mikey included in the book.  I still have Mikey’s ashes beside me in my office since his death in 2007 but plan to scatter them in the gardens at Dignity Pet Crematorium when I’m ready.  I can even join him when my time comes now we have permission to also scatter human ashes in our grounds!

Pet death is a taboo subject that many pet owners do not want to think about until their pet is either diagnosed with a life limiting illness or they are faced with the decision to put them to sleep.  This means people are often rushed into making a choice as to what to do with their pet’s body immediately after their death.  Many owners just go with what their vet suggests; and with most vets contracting to weekly collection firms this can lead to their pet being frozen then taken away like waste rather than receiving the dignified send-off that the owner would have perhaps preferred. 

Thinking about it in advance means that people can do their own research and choose a more personal service at a specialist individual pet crematorium or cemetery if they wish.  Alternatively they can opt to bury their pet in their own garden, although they must always consider beforehand what they will do if they move house.

The Author, Karen Bush, has written regularly for leading national magazine Your Dog since its inception and has authored 18 other books to date.  Covering safety, planting (and what not to plant), garden projects and much more Dog-friendly gardening is packed with helpful and innovative ideas to help both owners and their dogs enjoy their garden.   Following the death of her rescue dog Boris, Karen chose to take him to Dignity Pet Crematorium to be individually cremated.  When writing her book she felt that it should also provide owners with help and advice on pet loss. 

 

 

Published in July 2012 and priced at £12.99, the book is now available from the publisher (HubbleandHattie.com), Amazon & other good bookstores.  For media enquiries please contact the publisher Jude Brooks on 07870 623980

Click here for other useful sites on pet crematoriums and pet cremations services.

Pet Cremation approved by Hampshire Trading Standards

Pet Crematorium gets Trading Standards Seal of Approval

Award winning Dignity Pet Crematorium has become the region’s only pet crematorium to gain approval from Trading Standards having been accepted into their Buy With Confidence Scheme.



Kevin from Dignity Pet Crematorium receiving certificate

Launched in 1999 the scheme provides consumers with a list of local businesses which have given their commitment to trading fairly. Every business listed has undergone a series of detailed checks before being approved as a member of the scheme. 

Kevin Spurgeon said “Sadly the reputation of pet crematoria has been tarnished by scandals in recent times – most notably the Peak Pet Cremations fraud case.  We hope being accepted onto the Buy With Confidence Scheme will help reassure both pet owners and veterinary practices by giving them more confidence that the pet cremation service we offer is being described honestly and accurately to them.  I hope this will prompt other pet crematoriums to join the scheme.”

Membership of the scheme is not given lightly – amongst other checks, each applicant will have their complaints history reviewed and will receive a visit from Trading Standards. Good references are required from previous customers and applicants must agree to abide by the scheme's code of conduct, which requires them to follow the letter and spirit of the law.

The family run business is also delighted at being ranked 1^st out of 810 pet service providers throughout the UK after receiving a string of glowing reviews from their customers on the Freeindex website.

Kevin explains “We are the only pet crematorium to have live, independent reviews displayed on our website.  Our average rating is currently 5 out of 5 and we have been truly humbled by the kind things people have said about us in their reviews.  It spurs us on to do our best to help owners give their pet the send-off it deserves.”

Dignity Pet Crematorium started in 1992

This summer the pet crematorium will be celebrating it’s 20^th anniversary.  Dignity was started by Barry and Carole Spurgeon in 1992 after being distressed by a documentary showing the way pets were treated like waste after their death.  Barry, a fashion agent for 30 years, wanted their dog Brutus to have a more respectful end and so came up with the idea of using the Grade 2 Victorian Brick Kiln in their garden to provide individual pet cremation services.

Barry says “Worryingly, nothing has changed much and the way pets are treated varies considerably so it’s important owners do their own research before the day so they can make an informed decision as to who looks after their pet when the time comes.”

For more information about Dignity Pet Crematorium's individual pet cremation services in Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, London and surrounding areas just visit the Dignity Pet Crematorium website.  For other pet crematoria visit www.appcc.org.uk

Visit Dignity's Facebook Page for up to date information

Dignity Pet Crematorium - how to find a genuine pet cremation service

Choosing an individual pet cremation service provider

One concern for many pet owners is the worry of whether they are using a genuine pet cremation service when the time comes to say goodbye to their much loved family pet.
 

Owners also need to consider whether to trust their vet.  Sadly, many vets just offer the service provided by the company that removes their clinical waste once a week.  These companies contract the vets and offer lucrative incentives such as the chance to make a huge mark up on the price meaning many vets choose profit over service so beware!

 It is better to do your research and go direct to the pet crematorium of your choice rather than leave your much loved pet at the vet to go into a freezer and be taken away with the vet's clinical waste.

Do your own research to find a genuine pet crematorium

Dignity Pet Crematorium in Hampshire

At Dignity Pet Crematorium we have tried to make clear exactly how each pet is looked after whilst in our care. As well as detailing our pet cremation working practices on our website we give clients the opportunity of leaving independent reviews on websites like Freeindex, where we are ranked 1 out of over 810 pet services and our Dignity Pet Crematorium Facebook site.

Pet Cremation Service approved by trading standards

Our individual pet cremation services are also approved by Hampshire Trading standards "Buy with confidence" scheme.

For more information visit www.dignitypetcrem.co.uk 

Pet Crematorium Gardens of Remembrance

Dignity Pet Crematorium has two areas where ashes can be placed after individual pet cremation.  Owners can choose our Natural Woodland Area where ashes can be interred and a pet memorial can be used to mark the spot or it can be left natural.  Our more formal gardens of remembrance contain a variety of pet memorials and ashes are interred within a pet casket or pet urn.  Below are a selection of photographs showing our beautiful gardens in spring.  Remembering your pet with a pet memorial is one of the many ways to help cope with pet loss and pet bereavement.



Gardens of Remembrance

 

Natural Woodland

Our Pet Crematorium and gardens

Natural Woodland