Pet cremation company seeks growth opportunities

Oakey’s Pet Funeral Home and Crematory in Roanoke is experiencing a surge in demand for its services and is looking to expand its facilities. The business, which specializes in handling final arrangements for pets, is seeking permission to install a third animal cremation unit and more cold storage to accommodate the growing number of clients.

Marjene Schrader, the manager of Oakey’s Pet Funeral Home and Crematory, described their current situation as being “busting at the seams” and in need of more space to operate efficiently. The business is looking to construct a $308,000 building addition to house the new equipment, although the exact cost of the equipment itself has not been disclosed.

The city planning commission is set to hold a hearing on May 13 to consider the request from Oakey’s Pet Funeral Home and Crematory. If approved, the business owners plan to move forward with the construction of the new facilities to meet the rising demand for their services.

Oakey’s Pet Funeral Home and Crematory charges for cremations based on the weight of the animal, with prices varying across nine different zones. For animals weighing between 6 and 20 pounds, the cost of cremation is set at $182. Schrader noted that cremations are done one pet at a time, ensuring that each animal receives individualized care during the process. The business, which has been in operation for 14 years, is committed to providing compassionate and professional final arrangements for beloved pets in the Roanoke area.