The Taipei City Government is offering free ash burial services for pets at the nation’s first pet ash cemetery in Wenshan District (文山), in addition to a group cremation service.
Pet owners might not know how to prepare for an animal cremation and burial when their pets die, but there are low-cost alternatives to private cremation and burial services, the Taipei City Animal Protection Office said.
The office offers group cremation services for pets registered to Taipei residents at the Taipei Animal Shelter in Neihu District (內湖). The service costs NT$200 for each pet weighing less than 5kg; a surcharge of NT$50 per kilogram is charged for animals weighing more than 5kg, the office said, adding that a 50 percent discount is offered to pets vaccinated against rabies.
People can also check the office’s Web site for private pet cremation service providers in the greater Taipei area if they prefer individual cremation.
Taipei Mortuary Services Office established a public pet cemetery in Wenshan, called Secret Garden, which is decorated with animal-inspired art installations to make animals feel “at home,” and pet owners can bury their pets’ ashes at the cemetery free of charge.
The cemetery began operations in 2007 and nearly 5,000 pet owners have buried their pets there.
Public cremation and burial services are also available in New Taipei City and Yilan County, where residents can opt for a “tree burial” or a “flower burial” in addition to a common ash burial service.
Pet cremation services are free for New Taipei City residents, provided pets have been registered.
Meanwhile, New Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office launched the nation’s first online pet memorial service last week.
Users can ask for blessings from gods of their choice and select a range of offerings, while leaving messages to deceased pets and sharing their thoughts with other users, the office said.
Prayer is accompanied by soft music, instead of traditional chanting, so owners can remember their pets with a peaceful, but not sorrowful mood, it said.
The online memorial service was initiated to allow people to show their love for their deceased pets without being limited by space and time, the office said.
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