The Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria
The Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria is the only organisation in Europe setting standards that define correct procedures for pet cremation and burial. These have been put in place to protect pet owners from the widespread, unscrupulous practices that exist in the sector.
Unless a crematorium is a member all kinds of systems may be used to cut costs and increase profits. Over the years various methods of cremating pets together and inferring they are individual have been used. Most of the communal or mass cremations carried out are simple waste disposal operations where the remains go off to a waste site after a large-scale incineration. Even if cremations are carried out on their own very often the handling will be more akin to waste transportation with bodies put into the back of a van or into wheelie bins rather than careful respectful transportation of a loved one.
The Association Code cuts through all this to ensure a service described as a cremation or burial is carried out with care and respect from start to finish. That way you have control over the service you want for your pet.
Pet crematoria are controlled under the Animal By-Product Regulations usually under the Animal and Plant Health Agency and, in some areas, Waste Management Licensing. Licensing for Pet Crematoria and Cemeteries is only concerned with the operation as a disposal site. There are no regulations controlling how the cremations should be carried out to ensure the correct ashes are collected, for the dignified handling of the animals or to distinguish between ashes going to a normal disposal site or to a specific memorial area.
The standards set by the Association are the only ones that provide this distinction.
The Code has been developed to provide a system for the independent inspection of pet crematoriums and pet cemeteries. As well as the essential details of respectful handling and technical procedures it incorporates the requirements under Consumer Protection Regulations.
Whilst this is a requirement under Trading Standards Regulations it is rare for it to happen in the pet cremation sector. The norm is for people to hide what really goes on using flowery language, reassurance that they have been inspected by DEFRA and APHA, and a misguided approach that believes consumers should be protected from knowing what happens “behind the curtain”.
That is not the case here at All Pets at Peace LTD. As a member of APPCC we have an open-door policy and allow any family into the cremation room upon request to see for themselves how we operate. We don’t necessarily advise it as it can be upsetting for some, but we wont stop you from seeing how we do things using “health and safety” or “regulations” as excuses.
We operate according to the Code. There is nothing for us to hide and you can feel reassured knowing your pet is handled respectfully and everything is carried out to the highest standards.
The code of conduct can be found here.