My cat is gone....Cambridge Pet Crematorium - any experinces/advice?

gettingready

Yesterday, due to kidney failure (kidney cancer) - we had to put our beloved 10 yo, ginger cat Tiger to sleep

I have called the vet to do it at home where we could be with him to his last moment so he could be in familair surroundings.

He was unwell since last year, diagnosed in january this year - vet gave him max 3 months at the time, Tiger lasted 10 months. At the end there was just bones and skin on him but he was still the lovely cat inside.. The last 3 days he has stopped eating and drinking and did not get up to his litter tray - started to wee hiself and then call for us to change his bedding.. it was the time to let him go

Vet was very good, considering the circumstances and the fact he was not our regular vet.. Tiger was taken away in a little white body bag.

I had to be the strong one at home as my daughter (20 yo) completely went to pieces.

We have decided to have Tiger individually creamated and Goddards uses CPC for this.

Originally we were supposed to just collect his ashes next week from our vets but....

Today my daughter practically begged me to go and attend the cremation - seeing her as she was I have agreed, called the vet, changed the instructions.

CPC is supposed to call me on Monday and let me know/arrange the date/time for the service so we can attend it.

I have few questions, perhaps someone can help....


1) Has anyone attended cremation of their own pet?

2) Can anyone advise me how can I get from East London to CPC (they are around Cambridge) considering I do not drive? What would be the cheapest way to do it? For 2 people (me and my daughter) there and back?

This is their website:

http://www.cpccares.com/

Locations tells me nothing as I have not really been out of London and I do not drive so if anyone can help/direct me?

Unfortunately I do need to take money into account as to put Tiger down at home and individual creamtion with the sleeping cat urn came to £314 and then additionally we had to pay £58 to attend the service - insurance is only going to refund expenses up to £100 so... money is really tight at the moment.

Thanks for any suggestions....

RIP Tiger, run free on the Rainbow Bridge our friend...

geri1965_2

Sorry, I can't help about the crematorium but I just wanted to say sorry for your loss, and what a beautiful cat.

EmptyPockets

Tiger was absolutely gorgeous. I'm so sorry you've lost him. Although we had our dog cremated, we did not attend the service - I didn't really think about doing so at the time, but I don't think I would have wanted to go anyway.

Rest in Peace, Tiger x

gettingready

Geri, EmptyPockets - thank you for your kind words.

I have to say I am not tottaly comfortable attending the cremation but... my daughter wants to so will go with her....

Proc

What a gorgeous cat. Sorry to hear about your loss.

Are you sure it's even a good idea to attend the cremation? I know when people are cremated, the whole room, service, flowers everywhere, nice speeches, grand decorations etc kind of hide the fact that behind that curtain granny is melting at 1200 degrees celcius.

I've never been to a pet cremation, but from what I understand you don't have the pretty decorations, the vicar saying the nice words, the big comfy benches and soft cushions. It's just a workshop with a big cooker in the middle. Quite raw, and your daughter may find that she doesn't really benefit from it.

Like I say, I've never attended a pet cremation, and it may well be a great service, but I can't picture it myself.

chris_n_tj

I cant help with that side of things but my heart goes out to you and your family. Its one of the hardest things we are ever asked to do. Tiger looks beautiful in the photos and it will be a hard day for you both. But I will be thinking of you both.

Chris n TJ xxxxx

Four Feet in Heaven

Your favorite chair is vacant now...
No eager purrs to greet me.
No softly padded paws to run
Ecstatically to meet me.
No coaxing rubs, no plaintive cry
Will say it's time for feeding.
I've put away your bowl, and all
The things you won't be needing;
But I will miss you little friend,
For I could never measure
The happiness you brought me,
The comfort and the pleasure.
And since God put you here to share
In earthly joy and sorrow;
I'm sure there'll be a place for you
In Heaven's bright tomorrow...

Youdontseeme

He looks lovely, sorry for your loss.

I am not too sure how it works with different vets etc., but might it be possible for you to have him cremated a bit closer to home.

A quick google found this place in Loughton, and if I remember rightly you're in East London, so it shouldn't be too difficult to get to.

http://www.purrfectpeace.co.uk/find-us.htm

I realise that Google probably isn't the most thoughtful way to look into these things, but if your daughter really wants to be there then making the journey as stress free as possible would probably be the way to go.

Big Hugs
YDSM

gettingready

Youdontseeme - it is all already arranged (paid for) for CPC which Goddards use, Tiger was registered with/treated by/put to sleep with Goddards. But thanks for looking. Changing the place is not an option though.

Chris... thanks a lot for that, what a beautiful poem...


Proc, thanks although I have to say I found part of your comment a bit disturbing, I am sure you mean well though...

albacookie

I'm too far north to be any help with directions but our receptionist always takes her dogs to be cremated herself (she is involved with a rescue and often ends up keeping the oldies). As far as I understand they will arrange the body for you to view, you can choose to watch as he actually goes in or not then they will give you his ashes afterwards. I think it takes quite a while though - be prepared to be there for a few hours.

YorkiePud_3

I am so so sorry for the loss of your lovely cat ... it truly is one of the most heartbreaking things to go through, as many of the regulars here will tell you.

I have had all my pets cremated and from what I know, you can have a little service where a few words are said but I haven't chosen that. I don't think it would have helped me but each to their own. There's no right or wrong way, just the way that feels best to you.

I have always taken my pets through to the crem myself (I'm in the North) and my wonderful vets have phoned ahead for me to let them know I am on my way.

I have always been met with a cuppa and a friendly face ... if they get the feeling I don't want to talk, then they leave me be for however long I need ... there is a lovely little room with a gorgeous view out over the fields and they have aviaries too so the air is filled with birdsong.

There are a number of chairs and a coffee machine and you can just help yourself when you want another cuppa.

If they get the impression you don't want to be left on your own, they will sit with you and have a chat ... perhaps you want to talk about your pet or perhaps anything BUT your pet (grief takes us funny ways ... but the important thing is that they WILL understand and will take their lead from you).

If you want to let them take your pet straightaway (and some people don't feel comfortable to keep their pet with them after they have passed), they will take him or her ... but each time I have gone I've sat a good hour or so in that room having one last cuddle ... ONLY when you feel the time is right will they take your pet from you. I have never watched my pet's body going into anywhere and quite frankly I think that's a horrendous idea and something I would never recover from seeing.

A lot of people too, have the impression that you sit round some kind of furnace watching it all happening ... ridiculous!!

You can go out and come back when it is all finished or you can stay where you are, have another cuppa, and just wait. You do NOT have to be present and nobody would think anything wrong of you if you sat outside to wait.

I know different crems run things differently, but this is just what my crem does .... the one thing though that will be the same at EVERY crem ... they KNOW how you are feeling, they really do understand ... so if you go there and decide you don't feel you can stay while it is happening, then there won't be a problem.

Just see what you feel like on the day .... and remember that the people there will do what YOU want ... don't rush off thinking you are holding them up. If you want to stay 2 minutes and cannot bear to stay any longer, that is fine, but if you want to stay longer, then they will totally understand that.

Thinking of you and your family at this terribly sad time xxx

Proc

Well I take back all of my assumptions about pet cremation thanks to YorkiePud's enlightening post.

It actually sounds very romantic.