Services | Forget Me Not

What to expect

We understand that arranging your pet's cremation can be difficult. We'll guide you through each stage of the process, explain your options clearly and make sure you know what to expect. If there's anything you're unsure about, our team is here to talk it through with you whenever you need us.

Complete the form

To arrange your pet's cremation, you can complete a cremation form online, call or visit the JSPCA or arrangements can be made through your veterinery practice.

Choose their cremation

Individual Cremation: your pet is cremated individually, and their ashes will be returned to you in a casket, urn or scatter tube of your choice.

Communal Cremation: your pet is cremated alongside other animals, and their ashes are not returned. You can be reassured that they will be treated with care and dignity throughout.

Arrange collection

Once we receive your cremation request, we'll arrange to collect your pet from your veterinary practice or home. Alternatively, you can bring them to us at the JSPCA on St Saviour's Road.

Make payment

Payment must be received before the cremation can proceed. Once you've submitted your form, you can make payment in person or by telephone. Alternatively, a member of the JSPCA team can contact you to take payment over the phone.

Choose their keepsake

Whether you choose an individual or communal cremation, our team will gladly obtain paw prints and fur clippings for you.

If you're arranging additional memorial services, such as a casting with Love Casting, need ashes separated into multiple bags for family members, or have any other special requirements, just let us know so we can coordinate everything appropriately.

Choose how you'd like to keep their ashses

If you've chosen an individual cremation, you can select from a range of casket, urn and scatter tube designs.

You can also choose interment, where your pet's ashes are laid to rest in our pet cemetery.

Create a plaque

Wooden caskets include a plaque, which can be personalised with your pet's name, dates or a message that's meaningful to you.

If you're not sure what you'd like to say, our standard inscription is:

PET NAME

A much loved friend and companion

Tell us about anything else you'd like to arrange

If there's anything else you'd like us to know or arrange, please include this in your cremation form. We'll make sure your requirements are understood before the cremation process begins.

Collection

Once we've received your cremation request, we'll arrange collection from your home or veterinary practice, or you can bring your pet to us at the JSPCA. Your pet is then transported to our mortuary, where they remain individually identified and fully traceable throughout the process.

At our mortuary

Your pet is assigned a unique QR code linked to their cremation request, which is scanned as they move through each stage of the process. We'll check their cremation instructions and arrange any requested keepsakes before their cremation.

Our temperature-controlled mortuary is secure and accessible only to our employees. Pets are kept individually, with their identification details securely attached, until their cremation.

Cremation

Once all keepsakes have been obtained, your pet is transferred to our crematorium.

For an individual cremation, your pet is placed in the cremator chamber on their own. No other animal will ever be placed in the chamber with them. Collars, blankets and other items cannot be placed in the chamber, as they will not burn.

Once the cremation is complete, the remains are carefully collected, processed and placed in your chosen casket, urn or scatter tube, which is labelled for identification.

The entire process usually takes around two weeks, depending on the size of the animal and the cremation time required.

Coming home

Once the cremation is complete, we'll let you know that your pet is ready to come home.

FAQs

Your pet is kept in our secure, temperature-controlled mortuary until their cremation. Our mortuary is locked and only accessible to JSPCA employees. Pets are kept individually and carefully identified throughout their time with us.
Your pet is assigned a unique QR code linked to their cremation request and identification details. This stays with them throughout the process and is scanned as they move through each stage, creating a clear record of their journey from arrival through to cremation.
If you choose an individual cremation, yes. Your pet is placed in the cremator chamber on their own, and no other animal will ever be placed in the chamber with them. If you choose a communal cremation, your pet will be cremated along with other animals and their ashes will not be returned to you.
Our cremator is different from an incinerator. It operates at a lower temperature, which allows the bone fragments to remain intact so they can be carefully collected and processed after cremation. Because of this, inorganic materials such as collars, metal tags and other items cannot be placed in the cremator, and fabrics such as blankets will not burn completely.
The full process, from making your arrangements to receiving your pet's ashes, usually takes around two weeks. The cremation itself takes only a matter of hours, with the exact time depending on the size of the animal. As individual cremations are carried out one at a time, we can only process a limited number of pets each day. This allows us to give each pet the care and attention required throughout the process.
With an individual cremation, your pet is cremated on their own and their ashes are returned to you. With a communal cremation, your pet is cremated alongside other animals and their ashes are not returned.
Yes. We can take paw prints and fur clippings as keepsakes, whether you choose an individual or communal cremation. Please let us know what you'd like when you make your arrangements so we can make sure this is done before cremation.
Please talk to us. Our team is here to answer your questions and discuss any special requests you may have. If your request involves additional keepsakes or memorial services, let us know when you make your arrangements so we can make sure everything is coordinated appropriately.