HELLO, IS THAT GRIMSBY CREMATORIUM? I WANT TO BOOK A FUNERAL FOR MY DECEASED IGUANA

Green iguana - one Grimsby pet, similar to this, was given a crematorium farewell 

A TOTAL of 40 pet funerals - including one for an iguana - have been held at Grimsby Crematorium in the first six months since the service was set up.

The breakdown is as follows:

Dogs: 24

Cats: 10

Rabbits: 2

Cockatiels: 1

Budgerigars: 1

Chick: 1   

Iguana:1

Elsewhere in the UK, most pet funeral services are private operations rather than council activities.

But North East Lincolnshire Council was persuaded by its private sector partner, Engie (now named Equans) that it would be a money-spinning wheeze to use Grimsby Crem for animal as well as human funerals.

The authority splashed out £100,000 council taxpayers'  money on building a dedicated pet burning unit separate from the human crematorium.

From the initial 40 pet cremations - the first was on June 24 -  NELC has generated a fees income of  £4,074.

For deceased large dogs, the fee per funeral is £159.

For smaller mammals, reptiles (such as snakes), amphibians, birds, fish and insects, it is £68.  

NELC's portfolio holder with responsibility for deceased pets is Cllr Stewart Swinburn.

Says he: "To many, their furry, finned or feathered friends are considered to be well-loved family members.

"It is right that, when they pass away, they get a proper send-off and their owners have somewhere to go to grieve their loss.

"I am really pleased we can offer this service."

                                                      

Cash from dead animals - the pet crematorium