The joy of bringing a young puppy or kitten home often overshadows the realities behind pet ownership.
The commitment to keeping a pet for an average of 10 years only strikes during the later stages in their pet ownership journey.
Some unfortunate animals are shunned when they grow up, while other pet owners take the easy way out by abandoning them. Some use the rising cost of living as an excuse to ditch their animals.
But there is also a large number of responsible pet owners in Malaysia who care for their furry friends till the end.
And when death strikes, these owners are willing to invest for the very last time by giving their pets a respectful send-off.
While some believe the pet cremation business is lucrative, an industry player said it isn’t for everyone.
Patience, empathy
Krishna Rao, a new player in the scene, admitted it wasn’t a walk in the park in the early days. He owns and runs Leo’s Pets Cremation and Memorial.
“I started my business in January this year but plans to get it up and running were done more than a year ago,” said Krishna, who turns 67 on Sept 5.
“It wasn’t a situation where one can just register a company and start the next day. It’s a business that requires plenty of patience and paperwork.”
“For starters, you need to find the right location. Finding one isn’t easy, as people don’t want to lease out their land for such a business. Dealing with the dead, even if they’re animals, is still taboo for many,” he said.
“It took us some time to finally get someone to agree to lease the land for us to get an incinerator up and running.”
Krishna found a spot at Taman Perindustrian Belmas Johan in Rawang, Selangor – some 30km north of the nation’s capital, Kuala Lumpur.
“We also needed to get approvals, namely from the Department of Environment and the local council. That took some time, too.”
“I get phone calls at 2am or 3am from pet owners whose pets have just died. I answer the calls because most of the time, they just want to be comforted.
“There have been requests by some pet owners that the cremation be done on the same day. Being a pet lover, we accommodate where possible.”
Sufficient players – for now
A research paper titled ‘Malaysia Pet Food Market – Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, And Forecasts (2022 –2027)’ states that pet ownership is shifting to millennials, resulting in a shift in attitudes towards pet ownership.
“A survey conducted in 2021 showed that Malaysia was one of the top ten countries where the pet humanisation rate had spiked up in 2020 from the past five years,” the paper stated.
“The Department of Statistics Malaysia, in 2020, said the number of Malaysia’s working age (15-64 years) is 69.7 per cent of the total population, and have adopted pets, especially cats and dogs. According to a study in 2021, on the impact of pets on the mental health of the working-class Malaysian population, it was found that pet owners had significantly higher levels of mental wellbeing and could cope better with adverse situations than those without animals during the lockdown.”
It also stated that with the increase in pet adoption rates, and increasing disposable incomes, the market is expected to grow during the forecast period.
This means that people will also spend more on cremating their pets.
“There are enough players for now. Take us, for example. While we are based in Rawang, we cater to pet owners in the Klang Valley. It depends on the pet ownership ratio. Maybe the demand will increase in time, and there will be room for more players, but for now, the existing players can cater to the demand,” said Krishna.
Making every sen count
Krishna explained that industry players generally set different prices for their services based on the weight of their pets.
“But it’s not just about cremating the animals. We go above and beyond. We clean the pet up, let it lie in a prayer room, and accord it the final rites based on the owner’s faith.
“As to why the prices differ based on the weight, this is because if the pet is small, it will be faster. If you are cremating a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler, which is typically about 40kg, it will take longer, roughly 90 minutes, and you end up using more fuel.
“This business does not make you rich. It pays the bills and puts food on the table. What fuels us in the industry is our passion and love for animals. You must be a pet lover to do this.”
Krishna added that pet owners from major cities, staying in high-rise buildings or within a gated community, often sought such services.
“While space is an issue, most pet owners in the Klang Valley know that cremating their pets is the right thing to do.
“There are still areas outside the Klang Valley, perhaps in smaller towns, where pet owners bury their pets because space is available, and it doesn’t cost a thing. But it’s not the right way of doing it.”
Krishna hoped more pet owners will understand that their responsibility as owners does not stop the minute the pet dies.
“The final send-off is equally important. A true pet lover will give his or her pet the goodbye it deserves.”
