Went to collect my beloved dogs ashes to find they had given them to another family

[Pinkwellyboots3]

As per the title. I am absolutely furious, heartbroken, so angry.

my beloved dog who was the centre of our family passed away a few weeks ago, after the vet discovering aggressive cancer in 75% of his abdomen.

I trusted the vets, they arranged his cremation. They called me to collect this ashes, when i called back to say I was heading in (2 days later, we had took the children away to distract them as they are heartbroken), they discovered that his ashes had been given to another family.

I have already contacted the vet head office as this isn’t just a mistake, it’s a life that we loved, cared for and cherished for years and years.

God knows what has happened to his ashes now. I feel sick to my stomach.

What can I do to ensure this doesn’t happen again? Who can I contact? I appreciate in this moment I am angry but there is no excuse for the ashes of a living being to be given to someone else.

Can you give more detail about the vet’s response? What have they actually said or done to rectify this?

We had our cat cremated a couple of months ago, we looked for services ourselves, and everything went smoothly. My friend had her dog pts a few days later (at a different vets) where they had the business card of the cremation service we used out on display on the desk, so that when my friend said they would like the dog cremated they assumed the vets used the service displayed-how wrong they were. In the end they got the service they paid for, but it took longer, (she was distraught thinking her poor dog had lay in a freezer for a week or so) and there was a stage when they didn't know where the dogs ashes were. She also had to keep ringing to find out when the ashes were actually at the vets and then go and collect them herself.
So I guess my advice for next time would be to research companies (we knew the end was coming for our cat) and contact them yourself, before the event if possible. The company we used were fabulous, they collected him from the vets the same day, he was cremated the day after, they took pawprints and fur, and delivered him back to our house for us.

Im so sorry this has happened to you, I do hope they can get your dogs ashes back for you. I don't know if I would ever trust them again tbh xxx

This is truly awful op. Unacceptable. What are they doing to rectify this asap. I’m so sorry about your doggie. Let’s just hope that the other family hasn’t scattered as yet

They should send a member of staff to the house of the other person to explain what’s happened. Hopefully they won’t have done anything with the ashes yet, it would be very soon. What an awful experience for you.

Sorry for your loss @Pinkwellyboots3 , this must be devastating for you . Aside from complaining so that they implement better procedures moving forward there is not a lot that you can do , aside from getting a refund for the cremation cost . If you have other pets I’d advise that in future you organise your own cremation . We use a lovely crematorium that is about 40 minutes away and are always happy with the service , I usually get them to collect the pet but then go down and collect the ashes myself . They’ve done all of ours from horses down to guinea pigs .

I can’t even begin to feel your pain. I lost my beloved boy in 2022 and he now lives by the fire - his favourite place. I totally get why you’re so distraught. I’m praying the other family haven’t scattered him yet and he is returned to you xxx

My Ddog was PTS at home by a specialist service, and the vet took her away with him as he lived near the crematorium anyway.
I paid extra to have her cremains hand delivered to me.

The other family may not have scattered the ashes yet. Many people keep them at home.

I hope you get some closure. it sounds awful.

I’m so sorry to read this. I really hope his ashes can be tracked down and you get them returned so you can have closure.

I had the scatter boxes both times, I couldn't bring myself to scatter either of my dogs and they passed in 2021 and 2025. They are still on the bookcase in my living room together so I can see them everyday.

Hopefully they still have them. I'm so sorry. It is so hard losing a beloved dog, 💔 and these circumstances have added to your grief and pain. My ❤️ goes out to you

I chose a scatter tube for my dogs ashes and although it has been a few years she is still in my dining room. Hopefully the other family won't have scattered them yet. I am sorry for your loss and that this has happened 💐

I too am hoping the other family won't have scattered your beloved dog's ashes. I too have my DD ashes still in the scatter tube after years. You do usually get a "certificate" that confirms the cremation with the scatter tube - this may have been given together in a bag. It may be that the other family hasn't even opened the bag - I didn't for about 2 weeks. So they may be totally unaware. Hopefully the vets will get hold of them soon. What an upsetting situation for you, sending love ❤️