I had always been an advocate for Surrey Pet Crematorium after the caring service received for my…read morebeloved dog 11 years ago. Shown to a quiet room, soft music, my dog laying peacefully surrounded by curtains for us to say our final heartbreaking goodbyes.
This experience was far from it.
I felt I had interrupted a tea break, standing in reception visibly upset, holding my sweet young cat I had just had pts in a carrier.
A woman appeared holding a clipboard, confirmed my details, I advised, it must be a individual cremation, asked what I wanted to do with the ashes, I asked for my options and showed, 'what we have in the cabinet'.
Still no mention of costs, which I had to ask. No paperwork given. Still holding my cat, I said I'd like a few moments to which I was shown a side room. So incredibly sad.
After a few minutes, the lady came back and I asked if she had pets to which she replied, ''oh no"!
Everything told me to leave at that moment, to this day I will always regret.
I received a call the day after advising I could collect my pets ashes.
Again I was left standing in the reception area, I waited while different lady acknowledged me. I explained I was here to collect my cat giving her the name. She left the office door ajar so I could see her checking bags of beloved pets laying on the floor. More like click & collect. I paid and left.
It was the saddest and most uncaring way I had to say goodbye to my beautiful pet.
The lacking of compassion, no empathy, no words or gestures of comfort when you feel desperately sad.
The place has gone down hill significantly to what I remembered and experienced.
Tired, scruffy parking area, dirty road sign, very much unkept.
A fish tank stands in reception, with fish looking through thick green algae glass, obviously not cleaned in months, just seemed to encapsulate the amount of interest and level of care invested.
The worst part is I feel I've let my sweet girl down by not going elsewhere to offer her a dignified compassionate send off she and every beloved pet and own deserves.