Dartmouth Pet Crematory Shuts Down After 20 Years of Service

After two decades of dedicated service, the Dartmouth-based Metro Pet Crematory has announced its closure. The decision comes as a result of increasing competition and changing dynamics within the veterinary industry.

Dartmouth Pet Crematory Closure Details

Metro Pet Crematory, once a pillar in the pet care community, will officially shut its doors following the announcement made on a recent Saturday. Owner Edward Rhindress cited a challenging landscape for small businesses in the pet cremation service sector.

Impact of Corporate Competition

• Rhindress indicated that a new corporate crematory, approximately 20 minutes away, has drawn away most of his clientele.
• The shift began when local veterinary hospitals transitioned to larger corporate ownerships, reducing the number of partnerships with Metro Pet Crematory.
• A staggering 90% of Rhindress’s business relied on veterinary partners, with two-thirds now involving large corporations.

Rhindress expressed that the personalized care his establishment provided will be hard to replicate. He noted that local veterinary services cultivated strong relationships with him, which supported a unique customer experience.

Challenges Faced

In addition to the corporate competition, Rhindress faced rising costs due to tariffs on urns and equipment, which further strained his business operations. These price increases made it difficult to maintain affordability for pet owners in the community.

Veterinary professionals, such as Emily Reiner from Forever Loved Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia in Halifax, are also feeling the impact of this closure. Reiner, who partnered with Metro Pet Crematory, conveyed her team’s shock and sorrow but expressed plans to collaborate with another local crematory to ensure continued compassionate services.

Community Response

Many in the community have voiced their discontent over the loss of Metro Pet Crematory. Former customers like Lynn Burry shared heartfelt memories of the care shown to their pets, emphasizing that the personal touch and empathy provided by Rhindress were unparalleled by corporate alternatives.

As Rhindress prepares for this transition, he emphasized a commitment to honor the pets still under his care until the final closure. The imminent shutdown marks not just an end to a business, but a significant loss to the local veterinary community and pet owners reliant on compassionate pet aftercare services.