FAQs

Yes. You are welcome to bring your pet directly to us by appointment. Please contact us first so we can arrange a time, explain where to go when you arrive and give you the privacy and support you need. If you are worried about moving or carrying your pet, please tell us when you call so we can discuss how to help.

A discreet home collection may be available, depending on where you live. Please contact us to check availability, timing and any collection charges.

We will talk through the arrangements with you and discuss a careful, respectful way to bring your pet into our care. Please let us know if access to your home is difficult or you are worried about moving your pet.

Your pet will remain in the care of your veterinary practice until they are transferred into our care, where they will then be carefully transported to our crematorium and treated with dignity and respect throughout their time with us.

Please tell your veterinary team about any belongings you would like returned or keepsakes you would like taken, and ask them to record these wishes with your pet’s arrangements.

Of course. Every pet and every family is different, and we are here to listen to what is important to you.

You can contact our aftercare team by phone or email, or arrange to speak with us in person. We will answer your questions and talk through the choices with you. You do not need to know exactly what you want before getting in touch.

An individual cremation means your pet is cremated on their own, separately from any other pet. This ensures that the ashes returned to you are those of your beloved companion, to keep, scatter or lay to rest in a way that feels meaningful to you.

Anima Care’s Pet Cremation with Confidence means knowing your companion will be treated with dignity, respect and compassion throughout their time in our care. We follow careful identification and tracking processes throughout their journey, from the moment they come into our care to the return of their ashes.

We can help you choose a suitable urn, casket or scatter tube, explain the arrangements for returning their ashes and talk through any keepsakes you may wish to consider. You do not need to decide everything at once or know what to ask. Our team is here to listen, answer your questions and help you create a personal farewell that honours the bond you shared.

Communal cremation offers a dignified farewell for families who do not wish to have their pet’s ashes returned. Your pet is cremated alongside other pets, with the same care and respect we give to every companion entrusted to us.

As the ashes are combined, your pet’s individual ashes cannot be returned. Token ashes are respectfully scattered within Anima Care memorial grounds, peaceful spaces dedicated to remembrance and reflection.

You can still choose a fur clipping or paw print, or other memorial to remember your pet by. Please tell us before cremation if this is something you would like.

An individual cremation may feel right if you would like your pet’s ashes returned to you, either to keep in a memorial or to scatter somewhere meaningful.

A communal cremation may suit you if you do not wish to keep your pet’s ashes or would prefer a simpler, more affordable farewell.

There is no right or wrong choice. We are here to answer your questions and help you make a decision that feels right for you and your family.

Yes. Whether you choose individual or communal cremation, your pet will be treated with the utmost kindness, dignity and respect throughout their time in our care.

The right choice is the one that reflects your wishes, your circumstances and what feels meaningful to your family. Some people find comfort in having ashes to keep or scatter. Others prefer a communal cremation or want to explore burial options.

We can explain the services available, what each involves and the costs, without expecting you to know the answers before you call. Whichever option you choose, it does not measure how much you love your pet.

We offer the following payment options for our services:

Debit and Credit Cards: We accept all major debit and credit cards, excluding American Express.

Cash: Cash payments can be made in person at the crematorium.

Bank Transfer: Payment can be made by bank transfer using the bank details provided for your local Anima Care crematorium below. Please include a reference that will help us identify your payment, such as your invoice number, document number, pet owner’s surname, or another reference provided by the crematorium.

• Anima Care Durham: Account Name: The Pet Crematorium. Sort Code: 53-50-15. Account Number: 50509640
• Anima Care Greenacres: Account Name: Greenacres Pet Crematorium. Sort Code: 56-00-68. Account Number: 42070341
• Anima Care Rossendale: Account Name: Rossendale Receipts Account. Sort Code: 56-00-68. Account Number: 37693875
• Anima Care Larkhall: Account Name: The Pet Crematorium. Sort Code: 53-50-15. Account Number: 50509640
• Anima Care Silvermere Haven: Account Name: Silvermere Haven Limited. Sort Code: 56-00-68. Account Number: 37959549
• Anima Care Valley. Account Name: Valley Pet Crematorium. Sort Code: 56-00-68. Account Number: 37919334
• Anima Care Whitley Brook: Account Name: Whitley B Crem Pets. Sort Code: 60-08-30. Account Number: 63005174.

Please ensure that the correct crematorium bank details are used for each site-specific transfer.

Please note that payment by cheque is not accepted.

The cost depends on your pet’s size, the cremation service you choose, the casket or urn, and any optional keepsakes or memorials. You can view our core prices on our website or ask your local Anima Care crematorium for a clear explanation or breakdown of the costs.

If your veterinary practice is arranging the cremation, please ask them to confirm their charges and what is included. They should be able to provide you with a breakdown.

We want you to feel comfortable asking about costs before making your choices.

Payment is due once you have confirmed your wishes with us and before cremation takes place. We will talk through your choices and the costs with you, and explain how to pay.

If your veterinary practice is arranging the cremation, please check with them about how and when to pay.

What is included depends on the cremation service you choose. Please ask us, or your veterinary practice if they are arranging the service, for a breakdown of the price and any optional extras, such as collection, keepsakes or a particular urn or casket.

If you would like help exploring options within a particular budget, please let us know. We will explain the choices so you can decide what feels right for you.

We know how much your pet means to you, and it is so important to us to make sure that you understand the level of care we provide. Please be assured that throughout their time with us, we will treat him or her with dignity, respect and compassion.

Careful handling, identification and checks help us follow their arrangements through each stage, including cremation and, where applicable, the preparation and return of their ashes. If you would like to know how your pet will be cared for or what happens at any stage, please ask. We are here to answer your questions.

You are welcome to ask us about our high standards of care. Each Anima Care crematorium operates under the requirements, permissions and permits that apply to the services it provides, including Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and local authority approval.

We are members of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories (IAOPCC), which provides specialist guidance and training. We are also working towards independent IAOPCC accreditation across our crematoria, covering areas such as pet transportation, cremation, records, facilities and team training.

Our individual cremation service follows our Pet Cremation with Confidence standards to ensure that the ashes returned to you are exclusively those of your pet.

If you would like to know more about our standards, or our licence and permits please get in touch. We are here to answer your questions and help you feel reassured about your pet’s care.

If you choose an individual cremation, your pet will be cremated on their own, separately from any other pet, and their ashes can be returned to you.

With a communal cremation, your pet is cremated alongside other pets and individual ashes cannot be returned. We can talk through both options with you before you decide.

Yes. You can explore our range on our website or speak with us if you would like help choosing. We can explain which options are suitable for keeping your pet’s ashes at home, interment or for scattering them.

A small keepsake can be a comforting reminder of your pet. Please tell us before cremation if you would like a paw print, nose print, fur clipping or feather.

We will explain what may be possible for your pet and confirm any charges before you decide. Some keepsakes may not be possible, and we will let you know if this is the case.

Yes, please tell us if there is a particular patch or colour of fur you would like to keep. We understand that these small details can hold special meaning.

Please share your wishes as early as you can, and we will confirm whether your request is possible before cremation.

Yes. Many items or memorials can be chosen later. You do not have to decide on every memorial straight away.

Paw prints, nose prints, fur clippings and feathers need to be taken before cremation. If you think you may want one, please tell us beforehand so we can explain what is possible and any charges, even if you have not chosen a finished memorial.

There is no single right way to remember your pet. You might keep a favourite photograph, write down memories, plant something in their memory, create a memory box or choose an urn or keepsake. Remembering them quietly in your own way is just as meaningful.

You do not need to choose or make a decision straight away. If you would like a print or fur keepsake, please ask before cremation, as these need to be taken beforehand.

Yes. You are welcome to visit by prior arrangement. Meeting the people who will care for your pet and seeing the surroundings can help you feel more comfortable with your choices.

Please contact us to arrange a suitable time, so we can respect the privacy of other families and to ensure we are available to welcome you.

During your visit, we can show you our family areas, explain how we will care for your pet, talk through the services available and answer any questions you may have.

Yes. You are welcome to talk with us before our services are needed, whether your pet is elderly, unwell or you simply want to understand the options.

Planning ahead can ease some of the uncertainty and give you more space to focus on your pet when the time comes. We can discuss what you would like for their farewell and answer your questions, without any obligation to make a decision.

Yes. Losing a pet can be deeply painful, and you do not have to manage those feelings on your own. You may find it helpful to talk to someone who understands the bond you shared.

Blue Cross offers free, confidential Pet Loss Support through a helpline, webchat, email and a Facebook group. You can find the current contact options at www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-loss-support.

Yes. Losing a pet can bring deep sadness, loneliness, anger or guilt. Your pet has been an important part of your life, and it is understandable to grieve for them. Everyone responds differently, and there is no set timetable for how you should feel.

Talking to someone who understands can help. Blue Cross offers free, confidential Pet Loss Support at www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-loss-support. You do not need to wait until you feel overwhelmed to reach out.

Yes. Our private remembrance rooms offer a quiet place to spend time with your pet and say goodbye in your own way. Appointments usually last between 45 minutes and an hour. However if you feel you may need longer, please let us know when booking.

Our bereavement-trained aftercare team will be there to welcome you, offer support, and gently guide you during this time.

Please contact us in advance so we can arrange a suitable time, explain what to expect and ensure you have the privacy and support you need.

Please tell us what would make your pet’s farewell feel personal to you. This might include a particular way of saying goodbye, a cultural or religious wish, or a keepsake you would like us to take.

We will listen carefully and explain what can be arranged, including any limitations or additional costs. Please share your wishes before cremation so we have the opportunity to help.

If you would like your children to be part of saying goodbye, please speak with us before your visit. We can explain the setting and arrangements so you can decide what feels appropriate for your family.

Children may wish to draw a picture, write a note or share a favourite memory. They do not need to take part if they do not want to. We can also signpost you to guidance on supporting children after the loss of a pet.

We understand that some families may wish to witness the start of their pet’s cremation.

For health and safety reasons, we are unable to allow members of the public into our cremation area. However, if you have any special requests, please let us know. We will do our best to accommodate your wishes wherever possible.

When your pet passes away, you do not need to have everything decided straight away. We are here to help you take the next step.

If your pet is at your veterinary practice, the veterinary team can explain your options and help arrange their cremation. They may ask you to contact us to make the final arrangements directly.

You are also welcome to contact us directly. We will listen, answer your questions and talk through the arrangements with you.

Your veterinary team can help explain the cremation options and arrange your pet’s aftercare and their transfer into our care. Your vet may ask you to speak to us directly to finalise the arrangements.

You are welcome to contact our aftercare team at any stage if you have questions or would like to discuss something personal to your pet’s farewell.

No. You are welcome to contact us even if you are unsure what you would like or where to begin. We will listen, explain the choices and answer your questions. We will help you understand what needs to be decided and when.

No. Your veterinary practice may recommend a crematorium, but you can choose the provider that feels right for you and your pet.

If you would like your pet to come to Anima Care, please tell your veterinary team as soon as possible. You can also contact the aftercare team at your local Anima Care crematorium who will assist you.

If your pet’s cremation is being arranged through your veterinary practice, the veterinary team there can help with the arrangements they have made. You can also contact us to discuss your wishes or ask about your pet’s care.

If you are unsure who to speak to, please get in touch and we will help you.

If your pet dies at home, it is understandable to feel unsure about what to do next.

During our opening hours, contact us and we will explain the options for bringing your pet into our care. In the evening or at the weekend, your veterinary practice or its out-of-hours service can advise you.

If you need to care for your pet at home for a short time, ask your veterinary team for guidance on keeping them somewhere cool and peaceful. You may wish to gently place them on their bed or a soft towel and cover them with a blanket.

You can take a quiet moment to say goodbye in whatever way feels right for you and your family.

For guidance on opening your pet’s casket or urn, please click here.

Each design opens differently, so if you are unsure, please call us. Our team will be happy to talk you through the steps.

Please do not use a screwdriver or knife to prise the casket or urn open, as this could damage it.

For an individual cremation, your pet is cremated on their own. Their identification remains linked to their arrangements, and checks help us follow their care through each stage.

After cremation, their ashes are carefully collected, prepared and checked before being returned to you. If you would like us to explain how these checks work, please ask. We understand how important this reassurance is.

We know that waiting for your pet’s ashes can be difficult. In most cases, they are returned to your veterinary practice within 7 to 10 working days. Your practice will contact you when they are ready to be collected.

Scattering can be a personal way to remember your pet after an individual cremation. If you have a particular place in mind, check the landowner’s permission and any local rules before making plans.

We can help you choose a suitable scatter tube and discuss any scattering or remembrance options offered at your local Anima Care crematorium. You can take time to decide what feels right for you.