Eden animal crematorium: a fitting farewell

Managing directors Kim Jacobs and Ivan Moors have a big heart for pets. Not only do they have some big friendly giant dogs running around in the garden of their newly opened animal crematorium; above all, they also speak with great respect – and on a first-name basis – about the deceased animals they have to deal with. Soon Shadow will be brought. Luca has to be picked up. The treatment of the deceased animals is corresponding. A paw print is made of each animal and a tuft of hair is kept in a transparent box. In two attractively decorated mourning rooms, owners can say goodbye to their pet in peace and begin to process their loss. And after cremation, the ashes of the deceased animal are respectfully scattered on the scattering field in the large garden, or (partially) preserved in artistic urns or jewellery offered for sale in the crematorium.

Exciting adventure

The realisation of the animal crematorium was an exciting adventure. “When I noticed that a piece of land was for sale and then inquired with the municipality whether an animal crematorium could be built there, it turned out that it was not possible. Some time later, they called me: it was possible. That’s how the ball started rolling. I grew up with animals and gradually became convinced that a crematorium could be something for me. I collected a lot of figures. What percentage of the household budget is spent on animals? What is the evolution of the number of animal cremations? Based on those figures and also on conversations with vets and Ovam, I was able to estimate the potential of the business. All my discussion partners appeared to know someone who would call on us, which made me feel that it could work. When I heard that someone nearby was playing with the same idea, things had to move fast. It is not possible to have two profitable crematoria in the same region. After the permit in September, we started building immediately, and we opened in June 2019,” says manager Kim Jacobs.

Telephone

Start-up support was plentiful. Kim and Ivan could turn to VLAIO, OVAM and Unizo for advice and guidance, proof that the Flemish ecosystem for start-ups works. Yet obstacles remain. For instance, it took a very long time to get the environmental permit. Meanwhile, the Start Loan agreement had expired…. And even after launching the business, Kim and Ivan have to get used to it. “It can be very busy. Then sometimes nothing happens at all, to which I then wonder if the phone connection still works. Enquiries with vets have meanwhile taught me that there are peaks and troughs with them too,” knows Kim, who can pay herself a salary for the first time after several months. “And when things are a bit less busy, I’m actually happy that less animals have died.”