Question 1

What is PetAftercare?

Accepted Answer

PetAftercare is a professional pet aftercare service for Christchurch and North Canterbury, New Zealand. Every pet in our care moves through an individually numbered, 23-step tracked process, so your pet's identity is protected at every step and your specific instructions are read and followed. Depending on the service you choose, care includes same-day collection from your vet, cremation, keepsakes, home delivery of ashes, and grief support for families and children.

Question 2

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We serve Christchurch, North Canterbury, and surrounding areas in New Zealand.

Question 3

Do I need to use a particular vet clinic?

Accepted Answer

No. PetAftercare is available through any veterinary clinic in the region, and you don't need to switch clinics. Ask your veterinary team for PetAftercare by name and you'll receive our full service — tracked care, keepsakes, and support included.

Question 4

How does the process work?

Accepted Answer

Collection: we collect your pet from your clinic daily. Care: your pet is placed in an individually numbered CliniCareBag and logged into our tracking system. Service: your chosen tier determines the cremation type, keepsakes, and return method. Return: Heritage Return ashes go back to your clinic for collection; Signature Private ashes are hand-delivered to your home. Throughout, you can follow your pet's journey on their personal tracking page.

Question 5

How do I know I'll receive my own pet's ashes back?

Accepted Answer

Our 23-step process exists for one reason: to ensure your pet's identity is absolutely protected from the moment they enter our care to the moment they return home. It's a rigorous chain of custody — every single transition is scanned, logged, and verified against your pet's individually numbered CliniCareBag.

Question 6

Will my pet be kept separate from other pets?

Accepted Answer

Yes — from beginning to end, every pet is tracked and identified separately. Signature Private guarantees a completely individual cremation. Heritage Return provides individual cremation using a partitioned system: while chamber space is shared, each pet remains physically separated, guaranteeing the return of your pet's specific ashes at a more economical price. Essential Care is a dignified shared cremation, offered as a respectful alternative to home burial.

Question 7

What is the CliniCareBag™?

Accepted Answer

Immediately after their death, your pet is placed in a CliniCareBag — a purpose-built, dignified carrier that feels more like a pet bed, never a plastic rubbish bag. Each bag is individually numbered and tracked from the moment your pet leaves the clinic, and includes space for you to write a personal note.

Question 8

Can I leave a note for my pet?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can write a message for us to read to your pet while they're in our care. We speak to every animal by name, with the same warmth they knew at home.

Question 9

Can my pet stay with their favourite toys or blanket?

Accepted Answer

Yes — if you wish, personal items stay with your pet during our care. Before cremation they are carefully removed and can be returned to your vet for collection. For environmental reasons we can't include toys and blankets in the cremation itself, but they'll be with your pet for as long as possible.

Question 10

What services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer three levels of care. Essential Care: a dignified shared cremation with a sympathy card, with no ashes returned. Heritage Return: individual cremation using a partitioned system, with your pet's ashes in a premium scatter box, a paw print, and a fur locket returned to your vet for collection. Signature Private: guaranteed individual cremation with a premium scatter box, paw print, and fur locket, personally delivered to your home. Every tier includes same-day care, the CliniCareBag, digital tracking, and grief support resources.

Question 11

What keepsakes are available?

Accepted Answer

Essential Care includes a sympathy card. Heritage Return and Signature Private include a premium scatter box, paw print, and fur locket, plus access to your pet's online memorial and our keepsake store — memorial items crafted by New Zealand artisans.

Question 12

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Our three levels of care are designed to suit every family, with clear, flat pricing by pet size — no per-kilogram surprises and no hidden fees. Your vet handles the arrangements, so ask your clinic for current PetAftercare pricing.

Question 13

Why do you use flame cremation rather than aquamation?

Accepted Answer

We keep the transition as close to nature's design as possible. Flame cremation accelerates the natural elements of heat and air, returning entirely clean, pure bone ash that you can scatter, bury, or keep close. Aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis) instead dissolves soft tissue using water, pressure, and industrial alkalis, and the resulting liquid is treated as wastewater. We choose the traditional, natural cycle.

Question 14

How do I track my pet's aftercare?

Accepted Answer

Your vet will share a unique tracking link for your pet. From there you can follow real-time progress from "In Our Care" through to "Home", leave a personal note, view your service details and complimentary keepsakes, browse the memorial catalogue, and reach our team directly.

Question 15

How quickly will I receive my pet's ashes?

Accepted Answer

We collect from your vet daily and strive to care for every pet same-day, without the need for freezing. Signature Private is our fastest service. Due to current fuel shortages across New Zealand, standard turnaround times may be extended — your pet's tracking page will keep you updated at every step, and you're welcome to contact us for current timelines.

Question 16

How does home delivery work?

Accepted Answer

With Signature Private, your pet's ashes are hand-delivered to your home by our team — not couriered — so you can receive them in your own space and time. With Heritage Return, ashes are returned to your vet clinic for you to collect whenever you're ready.

Question 17

How do you support children through pet loss?

Accepted Answer

We provide clinics with age-appropriate books and materials that help children understand pet loss, comfort kits with creative activities such as paw print art, and training so clinic staff can hold gentle, age-appropriate conversations.

Question 18

How do I get in touch?

Accepted Answer

Visit our contact page, or reach our team directly from your pet's tracking page at any time. We're here for families across Christchurch and North Canterbury.

Question 19

Is my information private and secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We take your family's privacy seriously — see our Privacy Policy for full details.

Question 20

Do you work with veterinary clinics?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We partner with clinics across Christchurch and North Canterbury, providing team training, streamlined aftercare logistics, and a share of keepsake sales. Contact us or join the waitlist to learn more.

Question 21

What training do you provide for clinic teams?

Accepted Answer

We offer a one-hour CPD course based on CAETA principles, helping veterinary teams navigate end-of-life conversations with confidence and care.

Everything you may want to know, answered plainly

About PetAftercare

How your pet is cared for

Choosing a service

Following your pet's journey

Support for your family

For veterinary clinics

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