Can I Choose Aftercare Provider or Do I Have to Use the One My Vet’s Default?

The simple answer is yes. You always have a choice in who cares for your pet's final journey.

Making decisions about their aftercare can feel overwhelming. Amidst the grief, many families simply accept the default cremation service offered by their veterinary clinic, assuming it is their only option.

A relief we hear often at Aquafare is: ‘I am glad I made this choice.’

While the large corporate crematoriums are the standard, they are not your only choice. As a pet parent, you have the absolute right to request an independent, local provider whose values and processes align with your own.

The Local Independent Difference Choosing a local family-owned independent aftercare service like Aquafare allows you to step outside the standard corporate system. Families who seek us out often do so because they want a more personalised, peaceful, unhurried and eco-friendly approach.

By choosing a local provider, you ensure your pet receives the best farewell that suits you and your whanau’s needs, with the peace of mind that comes from dealing directly with a small, dedicated local team.

How to Choose Your Own Provider Taking control of your pet's aftercare is a straightforward process:

• If you are at the vet clinic: Simply let your vet or the nursing staff know that you have already made independent arrangements with Aquafare. We will coordinate directly with your clinic's team to arrange a respectful transfer from their care into ours.

• If you are at home: Contact us directly by phone or arrange care online. We can organise a gentle, compassionate transfer straight from your home, providing immediate support when you need it most.

You are never locked into a single option. You have the right to choose the most compassionate, gentle aftercare possible for your companion.