If it has just happened
My pet has died at home — what do I do now?
First: you have time. Nothing has to be decided in the next five minutes, and nothing bad happens if you sit with them for a while. Most families do, and we would encourage it.
When you are ready, call Alby on 0493 814 474. The phone is answered by a person, at any hour, and there is no pressure to choose a package or make a decision on that call.
In the first hour
- Take the time you need. There is no rush, and no harm in staying with them.
- Move them somewhere cool and quiet if you can — a tiled floor, a laundry, or a shaded room away from direct sun and heating.
- Lay them on a towel or blanket, on their side, with legs gently folded. Fluids can be released naturally after death; a towel underneath makes that easier to manage.
- Let other pets in the house see and sniff them if they want to. It genuinely helps them understand, and reduces searching behaviour later.
- Take a photo, a paw print in ink, or a clipping of fur if you want one. We provide both a paw print and a fur clipping with every cremation, but people often want their own too.
- Call us on 0493 814 474 when you are ready. We will confirm a collection time that suits you — same day in most cases, or the next morning if you would rather wait.
Does it have to happen tonight?
No. If it is late and you would rather wait until morning, that is completely fine and very common. Keep them cool, keep the room dark and quiet, and we will come first thing.
In warm weather, cooler is better. A cool room, a fan, or frozen bottles wrapped in a towel placed alongside the body will keep things comfortable and dignified overnight.
What happens when we arrive
We come in an unmarked vehicle. There is no signage, no uniform, and nothing that announces to the street what has happened.
Your companion travels on a clean blanket, not in a crate. Before we leave, a numbered stainless SafeHarbour tag is attached — that tag stays with them through transport, cremation and return, which is how we can promise the ashes you receive are theirs and only theirs.
You are welcome to walk them out with us, or to stay inside. Whatever you need is the right choice.
What it costs
Our prices are published rather than quoted on the phone. Individual cremation with ashes returned starts at $430, and the full table is on our prices page. There is no travel surcharge anywhere in our service area.
Ashes are usually ready within 5–7 business days, and we return them to you personally — hand to hand — rather than posting them.
If your pet died at the vet instead
You can still choose us. Tell the clinic you would like Harbourside, and they can book us through our vet portal — or call us and we will handle the conversation for you. You are never obliged to use whichever provider a clinic has a contract with.
Questions families ask us
- My dog has just died at home — what should I do first?
- Take your time. Move them somewhere cool and quiet, lay them on a towel or blanket, and call us on 0493 814 474 when you are ready. The phone is answered at any hour and we can usually collect the same day.
- How long can a pet stay at home after they die?
- Overnight is fine in a cool room, and longer in cold weather. The two things that matter are temperature and airflow — a cool, dark, quiet room, and ideally something cold placed alongside the body. If you are unsure, call us and we will tell you honestly.
- Do I have to use the crematorium my vet uses?
- No. It is your choice entirely, even if your pet is already at the clinic. Tell the clinic you would like Harbourside, or call us and we will arrange it with them.
- Can you collect after hours or on weekends?
- Yes. We collect seven days a week including after hours, at no extra charge. If you would rather wait until morning, that is completely fine too.
- Will other pets in the house understand?
- It helps a great deal to let them see and sniff their companion before collection. Dogs and cats who are given that chance tend to search and vocalise far less in the following weeks.