For when the time comes…

Compassionate Cremation Services

Knowing the joy of loving a pet, the unconditional love that they give us, how do we cope and what happens when the time comes to say 'goodbye'? In a state of shock and grief, it can often be difficult to think clearly to make the right decision about the final arrangements for your pet.

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Services

R.I.Pets are the Cape's most trusted pet cremation services

R.I.Pets offers a number of services giving you the reassurance of knowing that when the time comes, we will carry out your wishes with the utmost professional care.

Individual Cremation (ROA)

Standard Cremation (SC)

R.I.Pets Green Burial

Communal Internment
at City of Cape Town Landfill

Sitting on a sand dune with man's best friend

Contact number:

+27 21 955 2447

Between 08:00 - 16:00

Our friendly, compassionate service is never more than a phone call away. Dial the number above directly or request our services from your vet.

Cremation Services

R.I.Pets offers a number of services giving you the reassurance of knowing that when the time comes, we will carry out your wishes with the utmost professional care.

Individual Cremation (ROA*)

Your pet will be individually cremated, separate from any other pets. The ashes will be returned to you in a unique, hand-crafted pottery urn, with a certificate confirming the cremation date and the authenticity of your pet's ashes.

* Return Of Ashes

Standard Cremation (SC)

This service is offered to customers who do not wish to keep the remains of their pets but still have the peace of mind that they have been cremated. A number of pets are cremated together in the same cremation.

R.I.Pets Green Burial

R.I.Pets are pleased to now offer the Green Burial service. The Green Burial option is a legislated environmentally friendly, above ground, communal composting process of pet mortalities.

Communal Internment

Unfortunately, there are no pet cemeteries in Cape Town. In line with current legislation, R.I.Pets utilizes the permitted CCT landfill site where pets are placed into a communal grave with those of other pets.

(Please note that there is no visitation allowed to these areas)

Customer testimonials

"R.I.Pets is such a special cremation service. The passing of a beloved pet is heartbreaking, and poses so many challenges to the owner.... There are so many choices to make that it is completely overwhelming. But R.I.Pets is so sensitive and compassionate, they truly ensure that the dignity of your pet remains intact. The urns are beautiful and hand-crafted, personalised with your pet's name and loving decorations. Uncertainty surrounding the entire process after your beloved friend is gone is a normal part of the process, but I feel that this service has allowed me to honour my pet and give me peace with regard to the decision of cremation. Thank you, R.I.Pets, for allowing me a beautiful way to say goodbye to the goodest boy in the world, Simon."

"Losing a pet is a hard and tragic event for any dog owner to go through, after having lost our dearest Jinxy, R.I.Pets have been kind and understanding... from the get go, the ease of booking to the very kind, discreet and understanding man that fetched her from her home. We opted for a separate cremation as well, which was with us within 2 days. I would highly recommend using their services."

"We wish to thank R.I.Pets and the team that collected our beautiful Rumi from our home yesterday. Everything was prearranged... with them by our vet and they arrived promptly, having given us some sacred time alone to say goodbye to our special family member. The men who came handled Rumi carefully, with dignity and compassion for the situation and were so kind to us. Thank you all again for making a painful but necessary process go smoothly."

"I'm using the trusted service of R.I.Pets for many years to honour the memory of my beloved cats in a special way. It was such a comfort to know my... animals are in caring hands to ease my pain of grief and loss… a team, who always treated my animal companions with much compassion, integrity and dignity. Thank you Karin, for all you have done for me with extra service of comforting phone calls after individual collection."

Bettina Rupp

"They are absolutely amazing. After our baby tragically passed in a hit and run, we phoned them and they were at our house to pick up... the poor baby. The workers carried her with care and compassion, and the manager was kind and helpful throughout the process. We recieved her today and we're all so thankful to R.I.Pets. They're amazing, keep up the good work and thank you for letting us keep a part of our fur baby"

"Good Afternoon Service Team, I just wanted to say Thank You for the kind thoughtful way we received our Beloved Stella the Star's ashes... earlier this week. She was a huge part of our lives for almost 13 years and when she passed it was unexpected. She went to sleep on the rug by our feet and didn't wake up. We aren't quite ready to scatter her ashes yet but we will when the time is right. Please share this with the Animal Clinic in Kenilworth. I didn't have their email address as they also attached a lovely handwritten card which we are very grateful for. Thank you all once again for your wonderful Service that you provide for all the pets who may not be able to speak our language but speak the only language they know - Undevoted Love. Unquestioning Loyalty regardless how they may be treated. Their Eyes are their Soul. They are Loved."

"Just wanted to say a HUGE thank you in the collection of my Minka girl. The gentleman who came to collect did it with the utmost respect... and care and the whole process was done in the best possible way. Again, I would just like to say thank you to everyone there that assisted. I received her ashes in the beautiful urn with the certificate, a very special touch which again brough on the flood of tears. You guys are just AMAZING."

"Amazing service from the get go. They made the process of cremation quick and easy. Communication from the lady who assisted me was top... notch, following up, giving updates etc. Excellent turn around time as well. Also, the urn the ashes are received in, is personalized with their name on, it's absolutely adorable. Best decision I ever made choosing them."

"For many years I use the cremation service of R.I.Pets. All cremations were done professionally. This week the first time they made... a mistake with the cremation of my cockatoo and my cat. They did not choose not to tell me about it but were honest to inform me what went wrong. If they did not I would not know. The General Manager Karin Mathes was back from leave today and immediately phoned to apologize and made me a refund which I received 20 minutes after her phone call. I give R.I.Pets 5 stars. We all make mistakes and to be honest about that and act adequately and take responsibility is rare for companies. R.I.Pets showed professionality, responsibility and care about their clients!"

"Karin and her team were amazing. From deciphering what I was saying on the phone while I cried, to waiting patiently while I... cuddled and kissed my best friend for the very last time. The kindness and compassion shown by everyone involved made a traumatic day a little bit easier. They arrived within an hour and handled my girl with gentleness and kindness - like the precious soul she was."

"R.I.Pets Last year October 2020, the private vet in Kenilworth I used arranged to have my dog Lexy cremated via R.I.Pets. I must say... their service was astounding and they took care of my loved one with dignity and respect. This year the 5 of November 2021, Lexy's partner Maximus was put to sleep at home via a private vet. I delayed this days and made prior arrangements with the people in charge of R.I.Pets. The manager appointed someone else to follow up on me. Another lady folllowed up on me and made the arrangements with me and told me just to confirm. They informed me from when the driver left their premises till by my house. The undertaker was friendly and praised my dog Maximus on how beautiful he is. His words touched the very essence of my soul as he showed respect for my beloved Max. He explained me the procedure and assured me that I will get Max ashes and not another dogs ashes back and that I had to expect the ashes on Monday early morning. On Monday very early Maximus ashes was delivered by two guys who showed a lot of respect as if they were dealing with human remains. I will nominate R.I.Pets services as the best service for pet owners who want to remember their furry family members. I am proud to have two urns in my house, received from R.I.Pets and it brings me joy to know my loved ones are gone but not forgotten. R.I.Pets you are the best."

"I'VE BEEN MEANING TO WRITE FOR A WHILE, BUT HAVE ONLY JUST FOUND THE TIME. My beloved cat passed away in August. There are no words in any language that... could come close to conveying the agony of that day. When we took him to our vet and they offered a cremation service… well, I wasn't exactly sure what I was signing up for. He had to come home where he belonged. I felt it was good for his soul. When we got the call that he had been returned to the vet, I was very hesitant to pick him up. I didn't know what to expect because I'd never seen the ashes of any creature, animal or otherwise. You can imagine my relief when the vet handed me a beautiful custom ceramic pot with "Pudding" handwritten on it surrounded by little hearts. It was … beautiful somehow. It was what he deserved. More than that, it took away the darkness, sadness and fear of holding my beautiful little boy. I'm so incredibly grateful for the care you took."

"What exceptional service. As tough as the time was, R.I.Pets made it easier to handle. The delicacy of handling our fur baby from collection... to the delivery of the ashes was nothing short of impeccable. I highly recommend R.I.Pets to anyone who has lost a fur baby. The staff are amazing and comforting. Truly great service and staff."

"Thank you R.I.Pets for the professional and compassionate manner in which you handled our emotions. Our baby, Piper, passed away on... 4 January 2022. Her body was skillfully treated by very professional workers and her ashes returned the following day. Thank you Anastasia for consoling me and for the prayer. Our family is thankful for the care and wonderful service that you provide."

"Our beloved German Shepherd, Lucky, passed away on 2022-03-13 at our local vet. Our vet was kind enough to inform us about your company... they use and the services you offer. Having the option to have Lucky's ashes returned to us in the beautiful urn means more to us than words could ever express. Having him home with us is helping us to come to terms with his passing. Thank you for treating our baby with the necessary care, respect and compassion."

"Thank you for your kind words. I am totally devastated because she was my quiet little Velcro pup - always next to me, on my lap or in my arms. I am just grateful her... passing was quick and peaceful. Thank you for your prompt service, it made things just a bit more tolerable with that part of the sad affair sorted out."

"I would like to thank you for the compassion and dignity that you handled with my furbaby Seth's remains. I was very touched by the little urn with his remains that... was given to me from the Panorama vet clinic. It made the loss of my baby a bit easier to know that he was back at home with me and I can always commemorate the short time that I had with him. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your excellent service. I wish I had known about you guys when I lost my other furbaby 3 years ago."

"Dear Karin, I want to thank you from the bottom of my broken heart for the beautiful handmade pottery urn that I received from the vet with my beloved Lexi's ashes in. What a... comfort to know that my baby girl, that would have been 5 years old on the 8th of September was treated with so much care. I will be forever thankful to people like you that gives comfort to the broken hearted. I know the pain will heal in time, but the memories of this sweet soul will be forever in my heart. May you be blessed in your business and once again thank you."

"Thank you so much for your speedy service, your compassion and friendly voice. I spoke to you just after 6pm and Walley's body was... picked up at 8pm sharp. You guys made all the chaos much more bearable. We are at peace, knowing he was taken care of, and that he was handled respectfully. The gentlemen from R.I.Pets were truly professional, considering the public holiday and the late hour of the day. Thank you for that. We will recommend your service to all our friends and family in time of need."

"To Karin and R.I.Pets. Just want to personally thank you for the amazing service and helping us on a last-minute Sunday call. This is my 3rd pet I have lost and made... use of your services every time. Some people might think you are crazy going through the effort and paying extra money to go through the process, but each of my pets is like my children and for me it is like a last tribute to them that they won't be forgotten. Once again thank you so much."

"Two weeks ago I just had the most amazing empathy and service from the Cape Town based business on the sad occasion of the... death of my beloved dog Daniel. Daniel was getting old and semi-crippled with arthritis in his back and on the advice of family and our vet, we decided to put him to sleep. Fantastic service and help from the vet who visited our home and then R.I.Pets who arranged with me to be at my house 45 minutes after the vet was finished. They arrived on time, gently loaded Daniel's remains and took him for a private cremation. 48 Hours later a beautifully designed and handwritten urn arrived with his ashes. This was the most gentle and warm experience I could have hoped for. I wholeheartedly endorse this business if you are in Cape Town and looking for a dignified passage for your pet."

"I just placed a candle next to the urn of our beloved dog that went over to Rainbow Bridge two weeks ago and I want to thank you all... for your excellent and quick assistance. All people on the phone and also the people that came to pick up our dog at home have been so very nice and the service you provided was amazing and is really very much appreciated. Thank you so much."

Pet tributes

I wrote your name in the sand, but the waves washed it away, then I wrote it in the sky, but the wind blew it away, so I wrote it on my heart and that's where it will always stay.

Lexi

Lexi was a rescue, and with us for 3 years and passed at the age of 5 years old. She was a loveable, faithful, no- fuss-natured girl. She adored her walkies every 2nd day next to the coastline, always ready to chase the Dassies or Seagulls. I have intense pain when I think of Lexi and my heart just crumbled in a million pieces this morning. I still miss them terribly but their beautiful urns are right behind me, and that surely gives some comfort

Keiran

He had no pedigree and it really didn't matter - he was simply the best cat ever and certainly one of my all time favourites. He was just a regular long-haired tuxedo who was dumped here one evening in May of 2013. At that point he was 8 months old and he had had two homes. The people that dumped him are known to me but I wouldn't consider them friends. I loved him to bits. I have a 6-year-old Russian Blue and a dog, but the house is empty without Kieran.

Kaptein

Kaptein was adopted from the SPCA, he was 4 months old when we adopted him. Kaptein and my son grew up together.T hey were inseparable. Later my daughter was born, Kaptein was now fully in charge of his siblings. He was the childrens protector. Kaptein was loved, so much love for such a brave fighting boy, he didn't want to leave us, but it was time, at the age of 16 years, his time on earth was over, Heaven needed an Angel to protect all the little one's.

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