I waited for a bit to write my review to make sure I would be more objective than angry sounding. We lost our precious cat of 22 years. She was with us from birth and she was very much a part of our family.
So, you can imagine that on the day she died, we were terribly heartbroken. That being said, we knew she was dying and we called Heavenly Paws the day before she died. The man we spoke with, whose name I don't recall, was very kind. He was sympathetic and told us to just come in when we needed to. So, when she passed, we took her to Heavenly Paws.
The location is unassuming and the name, "Heavenly Paws Cremations" is NOT on the door. When we arrived on 2/25/2020, we were greeted by a kind, older lady who was also sympathetic and kind. She went over pricing options and, of course, in our sadness, we picked an urn - and another little tiny urn for a small amount of her ashes to go to another family member. Those prices add up fast! But, when it's your little one and you're so upset, price tends to not be the bigger concern, sometimes. Oh...and this was the first time I had used a private crematorium. In any event, the lady was very kind and reassuring that our cat would be handled with care and very carefully. She even said the could take an additional bit of ashes and put them in a bag for us to add to another urn of our choice (I asked if this was possible). Of course, we paid before we left and that was that.
The next day, they called and said the ashes were ready. Unfortunately, I could not get off work in time to go pick them up. But, the next day (2/27/2020), I made sure I took off at 3:30 to get there before they closed at 5 PM. We live in Woodbridge and this place is in Chantilly. Unfortunately, on our way (as is typical in Northern Virginia), we hit a lot of traffic. So, I called to let them know we were on our way, we hit some funky traffic, and that we might be a couple of minutes late. The man who answered the phone (who was NOT the same man I talked to the first time) was not understanding and told me they closed at 5. I asked him if they would still let us pick up our cat if were a couple of minutes after. He said he didn't think so, but said he'd ask if anyone could stay. After a brief hold, he came back and said that unfortunately everyone had to be gone right at 5. Really? I was already on my way and hurrying as fast as I could! I called back and let the same not-so-kind or understanding man know that we were not turning around (which is what it sounded like he had hoped we'd do) and that we were still coming. He, in turn, let me know if we were not there by 5, no one would be able to give us our cat's ashes. So, I made sure to add that I would appreciate if they don't close early. Hmph.
Fortunately, we made it there 15 minutes before they closed. When I walked in, the woman at the receptionist desk (not the same one who saw us before) asked my name and proceeded to get our cat. She showed me the urn and the baby urn and a separate bag. She said the ashes were in the bag. I'm thinking, "WHAT?" I asked her why they wouldn't put the ashes in the urn. At that point, I had instant attitude. I drove in nearly an hour and 15 minutes of traffic to get my cat's ashes - rushing to make it before they close right at 5 (and not a minute after) - and they tell me that the ashes are not in the urn?! WTF? I asked why they would be separated and she advised that a lot of times people don't want the ashes in the urn. "What? Really?" That's what I said. She said she'd be right back and she took the bag and the urns and went in the back. When she returned, she said that the ashes were actually in there. Gee, thanks. So many emotions with the passing of my sweet fur baby of 22 years, so much money, and once they had our money, the sympathetic/understanding level of consideration went out the window.
So, in a nutshell, the beginning experience (when I needed them and I was so upset) was good, but the final experience was less than desireable. It left an unpleasant "taste", so to speak. If ever I had a sense of buyers remorse, this was one of those times. Unfortunately, nothing can be done when the "goods" have already been burned. I don't even think the lady thanked us for our business. Oh, and there has been no follow-on call or card to thank us for our many hundreds of dollars in business to them.
I just think that when there is clear competition and there are businesses willing to go an extra bit to have a satisfied customer - especially in an industry as delicate and specialized as this - Heavenly Paws could do MUCH better.
No, I can't recommend them. They could have made this final interaction so much better, but they chose not to. Based on this and knowing that no one else should have to be treated so inconsiderately, especially while grieving the loss of a pet family member, I just can't give a good recommendation. read more