We hope that information below helps you to understand the services offered at Sunnyside. If you have any enquires then please feel free to email, text or telephone. To book or change an appointment please always telephone or text, as our email is only checked periodically.
What happens when I bring my pet?
As a small business we are happy to do our best to accommodate your wishes. When you arrive for your appointment we will assist you in bringing your pet through to our quiet room, located at the back of our meeting room. We will complete a small amount of paperwork with you, take payment and then leave you to say your goodbyes in privacy. To be clear we only take pets once they have died.
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Will I get all of my pet's ashes returned?
Yes, we are very careful to return all ashes, known in the industry as "cremains", back to you.
How to I maintain hygiene for my pet
I am often asked by customers how they should keep their pet before they come to us. It is advisable to have your pet somewhere cool, lying on a towel or blanket. A cloth or pad can be strategically placed to hygienically catch any leaks. Under normal circumstances your pet will be fine kept like this at least overnight.
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How should my pet be wrapped when I bring them pet to you?
Please have your pet wrapped in a clean blanket or towel. Because of our farm location we have to be extra careful about hygiene and any blankets you leave will cremated with your pet. Because we are unable to cremate padded beds, please do not bring them if they are not clean. It is fine to have your pet in clothing for their cremation with a favourite toy, and / or with a few food treats. Our only restriction is metal (fasteners or pins) and batteries.
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What are your rules on biosecurity?
Perhaps not something people ask, but included as it really important that we are careful about biosecurity, particularly due to our farm location. Please let us know if your pet is carrying parasites or contagious illnesses. There are no judgements, it just allows me to take extra precautions for the sake of my own pets.
Any rabbit brought to us after dying suddenly could potentially be carrying the devastating RHD virus. We would ask bereaved rabbit owners not to wander on the farm next door, where we keep our own pet rabbits.
My Vet arranged my pet's cremation; would they have come to Sunnyside?
Unfortunately not. The only pets looked after by us have come to us by arrangement of the pet owner. Whilst staff at local vets will occasionally telephone us directly at the specific request of owners, our contract is always with the pet's family. We are very proud of the fact that we are 100% private, to have contracts with vets we would also have to provide a disposal service, which is not a route we wish to take. If you wish us to collect your pet from a Vet we can of course do this, but need you to give your Vet permission to release your pet to us. If however you ask 
Animals at Home National Forest to collect your pet, then they will come to us and collect your ashes for you.
Can we accommodate cultural cremations?
Yes, absolutely. With prior notice we can allow up to an hour between cremation appointments, and although our facility is small, as long as our rules on hygiene, health and safety are followed we welcome you to bring friends and family members to celebrate the life of your pet and witness their passing into the next world. It is important however, particularly when a culture requires a witnessed cremation, that this is arranged in advance and takes place as early as possible in a morning. Witnessed cremations later in the day will incur additional charges, as your pet will be the first animal I am able to cremate or accept that day. I am very careful to keep our facility religion and belief neutral as we want our customers to be able to comfortably mark the passing of their pet however they see fit.
Can you guarantee my pet will be cremated individually?
Yes. With our precise recording we can even show owners the evidence on a cremation log. Because we are so small the vast majority of pets are looked after immediately, if not the same day. Where same day is not possible the owner will always be informed.
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We are occasionally asked to hold onto pets so that other family members can visit them later. We do not have cold storage or facilities to store pets. We would advise anyone who wants to pay their respects to accompany you when you bring your pet. If you wish, your friends or relatives can wait outside so that our initial contact and completion of the paperwork is done in privacy. Once you have had your moment alone with your pet your friends or relatives can be invited in. Where we are able to accommodate additional visits we make a modest charge of £20.
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Can I visit my pet once collected from the vet?
This can be possible by prior arrangement. We would make an appointment for you to visit as soon as we return with your pet. We always warn owners that pets left at the vets are usually cold stored as vets have to follow strict hygiene procedures. If you are not able to meet us on our return from the vet then our additional visit charge may be applied.
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How do I get my ashes back?
All ashes are collected from our premises. An appointment will be made for you, usually during the morning of the next working day to collect. Because of work commitments many people choose to collect their pet's ashes on a Saturday morning. When we are unsure of required casket size we will ask you to settle the final balance on collection of ashes.
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Who will I see and who will "look after" my pet?
Our team is very small. Usually when you visit you will see me, Lynsey, the business owner. My husband Ian assists with larger dogs and will see customers for me if I am unavailable. When my family go on holiday I have cover by way of a local Animals at Home business.
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Why is there a difference in costs?
We try to keep our pricing structure as fair as possible. The heavier a pet, the more it costs us to look after them for you. We do not price below £120 for dogs or cats (over 8 weeks old) as the £96 price bracket is specifically for more light boned species. Our prices are very competitive compared to a Vet arranged cremation, particularly taking into account the individual care and fast return of ashes. When we have holiday cover prices will be higher, particularly for smaller pets.