What do I do when my pet dies?
It is common to leave the decision of disposing of your pet up to the local veterinary. Unfortunately, doing so means you will likely never really understand what happens to your pet. It is important that you know about the alternatives available to you. Pet Haven Services, Inc. services New York City and tri-state area with owned facilities. Ask your clinic/hospital to call us - or you may call us direct. Once we receive the call, we will make the removal of your pet within 24 hours or sooner. If your pet dies at home, call us immediately - we offer a 24-hour removal service, 7 days a week.
What ares do you service?
The Bronx
Manhattan
Queens
Brooklyn
Staten Island
Long Island (Nassau, Suffolk)
Westchester County
Northern New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Where does my pet go when the removal is made?
Our crematory is located near New York City. From the time your pet is removed from your home or clinic/hospital, your pet is tagged and brought back to our facility and does not leave our facility until it is returned. We specialize in individual cremation - assuring you of receiving only your pet's remains.
May I be present during the cremation?
Yes. Please contact us directly to make arrangements.
Do you only provide cremation / burial services for dogs and cats?
No, over the years we have been privileged to provide cremation / burial services to a variety of pets, equally special to us, including: birds (parakeet, finch, conure, cockatiel, canary, parrotlet, parrot), reptiles (gecko, snake, turtle, lizard), fish (gold, beta, tropical), other small pets (rabbit, rat, mouse, ferret, chinchilla). And many other exotic or unusual pets.
Is Alkaline Hydrolysis, or "aquamation," better for environment than Traditional cremation?
No, it is not. Judge for yourself:
1. Alkaline Hydrolysis runs like an appliance, on electricity. Electricity is generated using fossil fuels.
2. Alkaline Hydrolysis requires about 300 gallons of water per use. That’s about as much as the average American family uses at home PER DAY.
3. Alkaline Hydrolysis uses chemicals like alkali. Its waste is then released into the waterways. Versus Traditional Cremation that does not generate chemical waste or bi-product that needs disposal.
So there is no proven environment benefit between one process vs the other, despite competitors' claims to the contrary.
Is Alkaline Hydrolysis, or "aquamation," more "gentle" or more "natural" or more "respectful" than Traditional cremation?
We don't think so. You be the judge: The body is placed in a metal container with alkali and water and then the temperature is raised. The combination of chemicals and hot water dissolves the body over several hours, leaving the skeletal remains behind, which are then crushed into ashes.
Traditional cremation started as far back as 20,000 years ago. There are no chemicals added in the process. It does not generate chemical waste or bi-product that needs disposal. Your pet remains are returned to you in a beautiful urn.
What is the religious opinion on Alkaline Hydrolysis, i.e "aquamation"?
Many religions don't see aquamation as respectful, because it does not show sacredness for the remains.
The Catholic Church in the United States does not approve of Alkaline Hydrolysis as a method of final disposal of human remains. The Archdiocese of St. Louis explained that the Church took concern with the final disposal of the liquid solution, which is typically to the sewer system. This was considered disrespectful of the sanctity of the human body. Additionally, when Alkaline Hydrolysis was proposed in New York state in 2012, the New York State Catholic Conference condemned the practice, stating that Alkaline Hydrolysis does not show sufficient respect for the teaching of the intrinsic dignity of the human body.
Both Judaism and Islam reject Alkaline Hydrolysis as they believe that the body must be laid to rest through burial in order to prepare for the afterlife. Sikhism, Hinduism, and Buddhism each place emphasis on the burning of the corpse.
Is Alkaline Hydrolysis, or "aquamation," less expensive than Traditional Cremation?
No. Alkaline Hydrolysis is almost two times more expensive that Traditional cremation ($300 vs. $500 for private cremation). Since it's less preferred by pet owners, the Alkaline Hydrolysis operator has to make up the loss of business by raising prices. Although generally unpopular, it can attract less knowledgeable pet owners, who are either persuaded by the unsubstantiated claims of eco-friendliness or are attracted to gimmicks.
Call us at (917) 608-9729 to schedule an appointment.