Bosses of an animal rescue centre have submitted plans for the first pet crematorium in North Shropshire in a bid to secure the venue’s future.
An application has been submitted to North Shropshire District Council to convert farm buildings at Woodstiles Farm in Grinshill. The proposed site is claimed to be the first in the district.
The centre currently costs £35,000 a year to run, and and if the crematorium is given the nod it will help to fund the centre’s future running costs.
The site will provide a weekly collection service from vet practices within a 20-mile area with three deliveries a day, but it would not be open for the public. The service will cost around £120 per dog and the ashes will be returned to owners.
Jenny Martinez, who runs Grinshill Animal Rescue Centre, said she has been planning the proposal for two years and the whole project will cost around £16,000 to create.
It will take two weeks to build and it is hoped it will be operating by the end of the year.
“It is the first one in North Shropshire,” she said. “We have estimated it will cost £6,000 for the transformation and the incinerator will cost £10,000, as it is top of the range with no smoke, no fumes and they don’t need much maintenance.
“It can be very difficult losing a pet. I understand how they feel and it is really traumatic.”
Mrs Martinez said that part of the proceeds would go towards the animal centre. “It has always been a struggle to get by,” she said.
“We always do the best for our dogs that we can but it is hard and I am not getting any younger, so we keep thinking of what we can we do to fundraise.”
At present veterinarians in the district use services outside Shropshire.
Tom Leonard, from Leonard Brothers Veterinary Centre, Whitchurch, uses a service from Doncaster.
“What we are most interested in is the service given,” he said. “When we send the pets, even though they have passed away, we want them treated with the dignity they deserve. I always support local industry as much as I can – it is very important. I would be more than happy to have a look.”
Elaine Valentine, a vet at Brownlow Veterinary Centre in Ellesmere, said: “There is not one in North Shropshire that I know of otherwise we would use them.”
The application went out to consultation on Friday and a decision is expected by November 6. Mrs Martinez added she also has plans to create a pet cemetery.
By Chrissy Symmons
