Local businessman Shane Whiley is used to receiving a few raised eyebrows when people discover he owns and operates a pet cremation service.
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“When I first went into business, people were pointing and laughing at the car all the time with ‘Pets at Peace Central West’ advertised on it,” he said. “But I hear from many of the people who initially told me I was mad, that now need our services. No one thinks of it until they need it, I know I didn’t.”
It was after the tragic loss of his own tan kelpie Lucy in 2004 that Mr Whiley found himself leaving his secure job with the New South Wales Police Force, after 20 years, to start the first pet cremation service in the Central West.
Describing Lucy as his best mate, Mr Whiley says it was a very emotional time and during the unexpected loss he noticed the lack of options available to people in the Central West.
Mr Whiley can be described in short as a passionate animal-lover who believes the loss of a pet is no different to that of a family member.
“Pets are an important part of our life. They’re not just animals. We all have busy lives and our pets are always happy to see us when we come home, which is not always the case with our partners!” he said.
Dealing with heartbroken animal-lovers on a daily basis can have its down moments.
“It is a really sad job. People try not to cry. I just say let it go. If I can make it easier, my job is done,” Mr Whiley said.
Undeniably though, a pet cremation service does have some quirky aspects. Mr Whiley has cremated all kinds of animals including budgies, snakes and even a sheep.
“Some people are over-the-top, but everyone deserves respect. One elderly lady had both her dogs cremated, then when she passed away 12 months later, their ashes were buried together,” he said.
In the four-and-a-half years since Pets at Peace opened, Mr Whiley’s business has experienced rapid growth, now covering Mudgee, Dubbo, Parkes, Orange, Bathurst and surrounding areas, while he sometimes even makes trips out as far as Cobar and Lightning Ridge.
For the first time, Pets at Peace Central West has been nominated in the CGU Orange Outstanding Business Awards for innovation, a small business with under five employees, as well as making the employee finals.
“I didn’t start this business to make money. I started it because there was a need for it. As humans we need to care for animals,” Mr Whiley said.
