The Republic's first pet crematorium offers "a dignified send-off" for the family pet, according to the owners of Pets to Rest which has been established near Castleisland, Co Kerry.
Kathleen Griffin said she and her husband Eddie Griffin, who is in the abattoir business, saw an opening when they realised many people had no proper means of disposing of the family pet when their time came.
The facility for "the thermal destruction of pets and small animals" was granted permission by Kerry County Council last October for seven years. There were no objections and eight conditions were attached.
The central chamber includes a primary and secondary burner. The applicants were also required to have air-pollution and waste-disposal licences.
People were often very attached to their pets and yet sometimes the dead cat was ending up in the dustbin or the elderly dying dog was being sent to the pound, because there was nowhere else to put them, Ms Griffin said.
Increasing numbers of people living in flats may not have anywhere to bury their pet, and there wasn't anywhere for a proper send-off, she added.
"We discovered people hadn't anywhere dignified to send off their pet. This way it is properly disposed of, " Ms Griffin said.
After carrying out research and visiting pet crematoriums in Britain, the Griffins came up with a plan and put their own stamp on it.
They are offering a service which can collect the dead pet in a refrigerated van, cremate it and dispose of the ashes. It is also open to people to bring their dead pet to the facility at Kilquane, Cordal, Castleisland, and collect the ashes.
Ms Griffin expects the pet crematorium service will take time to build up and they are still putting the finishing touches to business, but so far there has been a lot of curiosity and interest.
Prices start at about €100 and depend on the size of the animal, collection and other requests.