Water cremation service offers an alternative way to say goodbye to your pets

It’s a different way to say goodbye to your beloved fur friends as they cross the rainbow bridge. 

Pet to Nature Canada is a company that provides aquamation, which is also known as water cremation. Aquamation is a gentle, nature-friendly alternative to traditional pet cremation. 

The company was founded in 2017 in Hong Kong. It’s the first company to offer aquamation in Calgary, and only the second in Alberta, according to co-owner Anthony Tung, who franchised the Hong Kong business with Connie Kwok. 

“We believe we have a unique service to offer pet owners and they should have a greener alternative to the traditional cremation service,” Tung says. 

Natural and organic 

Pet to Nature uses a water-based alkaline solution to accelerate the natural decomposition process that takes place when the animal is buried in the soil. 

“The process of aquamation produces no greenhouse gasses, reduces the use of fossil fuels, and leaves a sterile, nutrient-rich liquid that can be released as waste water or used as fertilizer,” Tung says. 

Because the process is so gentle, there are on average 20 per cent more remains left, compared to traditional pet cremation. The bones are white instead of grey, can easily be processed into a fine powder, and are completely safe for handling. 

Each cremation requires about 110 litres of fuel and releases about 240 kilograms of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Aquamation only uses gentle water flow, temperature, and alkalinity for the natural decomposition process.

More than a cremation service 

Beyond the aquamation, the company is dedicated to handling all the necessary arrangements for pets, and also arranges for pick up. 

“We understand the pain, grief, and sadness felt by pet owners when a beloved pet passes away,” Tung says, adding there is a consultant who will assist pet owners in preparing solemn farewell services for their pets.

Their Foothill Industrial area facility includes comfort rooms where the farewell can be held. Family members may choose to have their pet’s ashes to bring home or to enricha potted plant after the aquamation process. 

“The ashes help nurture the plant’s growth and will let pets grow into a new life with their owners as they truly go back to nature.”