LOCAL vets have come out in support of plans for the development of a pet crematorium in Ennis which has been proposed in response to “a lack of this service” within the county and surroundings.
The nearest such facility is in Kerry, with the developers of the proposal stating that the associated delay following the loss of a pet “can be very distressing” for owners.
An application for planning permission has been lodged with Clare County Council for alterations to be carried out to an existing vacant unit at the Ennis Enterprise Centre in the Gort Road Industrial Estate to allow for the development of a pet crematorium for domestic pets.
According to a document lodged with the planning authority on behalf of applicants Aimee and Danny Keller, there is currently no such service in the county, with only five in the Republic of Ireland. “The proposed service will be ideally suited in the mid west where there is significant latent demand for such a facility,” the application outlines.
The planning document outlines, “The proposed development is of a very modest scale, located within the most appropriate location for the nature of the proposed development ie within an existing well established Gort Road Industrial Estate which would not give rise to unacceptable emissions or discharge. The proposed development will not impact negatively on existing adjoining uses which are also included within the existing industrial estate.”
The developers carried out what they describe as “robust” environmental assessments which concluded the proposed development “will not have an unacceptable impact on the receiving environment”.
A list of veterinary clinics in Clare and Limerick who are willing to support the plans has been provided to the planning authority alongside a number of letters of support.
Among them, Jerry O’Connor and Dr Niamh Morrissey of O’Connor’s Veterinary Surgery on the Quin Road stated, “As owners of a busy veterinary practice in Ennis we feel this would provide a very much needed service for the pet owners of this region. In our experience pets are seen by most owners as family members, and the loss of a beloved pet can cause significant distress and angst. We have found that cremation is a popular option amongst our clients who wish to respectfully handle the remains of their deceased pets.”
Vet Eugene Judge stated “I would be supportive of their initiative and would also feel that this service would be of benefit and convenient for the county”. The Shannonside Veterinary Group agreed that the proposal “would be of benefit to the vets in the Clare area”.
Harvey’s Veterinary of Kilrush and Kildysart outlined “A pet crematorium service is a vital aspect of any veterinary practice. A service in which we use on a daily basis. Since there is no pet crematorium service in County Clare we use the closest company who is based in County Kerry and they would travel to our clinics in Kilrush and Kildysart on a weekly or fortnightly basis.”
John Garrahy stated his belief there is “a significant opportunity” for a pet crematorium in the Limerick / Clare area.