Frequently asked questions

What can I do with my pet that has died?

• Have your pet cremated at the Pet Crematorium (individual or collective cremation)
  
• Bury your pet on your own land (permitted up to max. 10 kg body weight)
  
• Bury your pet in a pet cemetery
  
• Take your pet to your local public rendering collection point
  

How will my pet get to the Pet Crematorium?

We can pick up your pet from your home or from the vet. You can also bring your pet to us personally at the Pet Crematorium in Seon, Dübendorf or Basel (Füllinsdorf) or the Wittenbach handover point. Please phone to make an appointment.

Can I bring my pet to the Pet Crematorium on a weekend or holiday?

Yes, we are here for you 365 days a year. Please phone us to make an appointment.  There is a surcharge of CHF 54 for acceptance on weekends or holidays.

Can I be present for the cremation?

Yes, you are welcome to be present. The customer area is directly connected to the cremation room. So you can accompany your pet on its final journey.

How long does the cremation take?

Cremation takes between one and four hours, depending on the weight of the animal.

Am I allowed to place any keepsakes with my pet?

Unfortunately, non-animal objects such as collars, toys or pet beds cannot be cremated with your pet.

Where will my deceased pet be until it is cremated?

Your pet will remain in our cold room until cremation.

Will I really get my pet’s ashes back with individual cremation?

Yes, that’s what the IDsystem was designed for. The IDchip stays with the animal throughout the cremation process. For details, see ‘The IDsystem’.

How do I get my pet’s ashes back?

• You can pick up the urn from your vet.
  
• We can send you the urn by registered mail.
  
• You can collect the urn from us in Seon or Dübendorf.
  
• Urn compartments secured with a numerical code are available at the Pet Crematorium in Seon and Dübendorf. So you can decide for yourself when you want to pick up the urn.
  

How long will I have to wait for the ashes?

Usually, the animal’s ashes are with the owner within 10 days.

What happens to the ashes from the collective cremations?

The ashes from the collective cremations are placed in the collective graves in our gardens in Seon or Basel (Füllinsdorf). It is not possible to have the ashes returned to you after a collective cremation.

Does the cremation of an animal produce emissions that are harmful for the environment?

Thanks to our sophisticated, state-of-the-art technology, we comply with the Ordinance on Air Pollution Control.

What happens to animals brought to the public rendering collection point?

The bodies of deceased animals from agriculture and the private sector and animal waste from slaughterhouses and butchers are collected at the public rendering collection point. The bodies are taken to the meat-and-bone meal factories in Bazenheid or Lyss. This process is regulated by law.

What happens to the animals at the meat-and-bone meal factory?

In Bazenheid and Lyss, the bodies are processed into animal meal in an industrial comminution and drying process (pressure sterilisation).

What happens to the meat-and-bone meal?

The meat-and-bone meal is used as a fuel in the cement production process. It is added directly into the flames of the cement kiln. The ash remains in the cement.