South Shields residents behind plans for a 'pet crematorium' have appealed for community backing to help establish the essential facility.
Husband and wife duo Chris and Gill Baker, who have submitted an application to launch a new enterprise at St Hilda's Industrial Estate, aim to provide bereaved owners with a private space to bid farewell to their cherished companions.
Personal story behind the venture
The couple embarked on their path towards establishing the business ten years ago after enduring a distressing cremation experience when their dog Jessie passed away.
They hope their new venture Over The Rainbow Pet Crematorium, described as the "first individual only pet crematorium to be run in South Shields", will "give back to people what we never got".
Chris and Gill Baker explained: "Our own personal story started nine years ago when we lost our dog Jessie, when we lost her we had to do this at our vets and we did not have many options."
"We waited nearly three weeks and received her ashes back in a cardboard box with no paw prints or locks of hair, we were devastated."
Services and facilities offered
Should the council grant permission, the operation would permit just one cremation at any given time, guaranteeing 100 per cent of the remains are handed back to owners, with all ashes also delivered within 24/48 hours.
The enterprise is also set to carry memorial items including caskets, urns and keepsakes obtained from regional suppliers and family-operated businesses, while each cremation would include a paw print, lock of hair and certificate of individual cremation.
Additionally, the family-operated business is anticipated to provide at-home euthanasia services enabling pets to remain in familiar surroundings, which would be carried out by a qualified vet, alongside home collection through a company vehicle.
Planning process and community engagement
The council must grant planning permission before the pet crematorium can begin operating, with proposals featuring a private chapel of rest and farewell room, providing families with a "private and dignified space in which to spend time with their pet before cremation".
The entrepreneurs, who have created a Facebook page for the venture, indicated they would invite members of the public to view the facilities, alongside organising open days to "give the community the chance to see why pet cremation is a needed service".
Mr and Mrs Baker continued: "We look forward to the coming months, helping and supporting our local community during a hard time and hopefully we can take the stress away and give back to people what we never got."
A determination on the proposal is anticipated following a consultation period. Further details are available via South Tyneside Council's planning portal website by searching for reference number 260534.
