The Cat Who Changed My Mind
I was a dog person. Always have been. Grew up with them, still have one now. Cats? Never fancied them. Thought they were cold, distant, indifferent. The kind of pet that tolerated you, not loved you.
Starting this business changed that.
Every cat owner I speak to tells me something I didn't know. How their cat knew when they were sad and wouldn't leave their side. How a slow blink across the room was actually a declaration of love. How the headbutt at 5am meant you're mine, and I'm keeping you.
I've never owned a cat. But I've held hundreds as they've passed. And I've seen, every single time, the same thing — a small creature who gave enormous comfort, quietly, without ever asking for credit.
What I've Learned About Cat Grief
Cat owners are always surprised by their own grief. They arrive apologising — "I know it's just a cat" — and then they talk for twenty minutes about the purring, the kneading, the way their cat chose them, not the other way around.
I've learned that cats don't give their love freely. They choose who gets it. And when they choose you, it's absolute.
But here's what else I've learned: society doesn't always make space for cat grief. Dog owners get sympathy cards, understanding nods, "I'm so sorry for your loss." Cat owners often get silence, or worse, dismissal. As if twelve years of quiet presence can be replaced like a broken kettle.
That's why I believe cat cremation matters. It's not about the process. It's about validation. A way of saying — to yourself, to your family, to the world — that this loss counts. That the love was real, even if it was quiet.
What to Consider When the Time Comes
If you're reading this before you need me, here are the things worth thinking about:
Home collection or transport? Most cats hate car journeys. Having someone come to you removes that final stress.
The final appointment. If your cat is still with you but the time is approaching, consider a mobile vet who specialises in at-home euthanasia. It means your cat's last moments are in familiar surroundings — on their favourite blanket, in their sunny spot, surrounded by the people and scents they love. Not in a carrier, not in a waiting room, not frightened. It's a gentler goodbye, and it pairs naturally with having me collect from your home afterwards. No added stress for anyone.
Individual or communal? Individual means guaranteed return of your cat's ashes alone. Communal means ashes are not returned. The choice is personal and financial — neither is wrong.
Keepsakes. Some people want ashes in an urn. Others prefer a scatter tube for a favourite garden spot. Some ask for paw prints, a vial of fur, or whiskers for jewellery later. Some want nothing at all. All are valid.
Timing. There's no rush. A day or two to decide is normal. A week is fine. The right choice is the one you make when you're ready, not the one made in panic.
What I Promise
I offer four complimentary keepsakes for every cat, at no charge:
Paw and nose prints
A small vial of fur
A vial containing a couple of whiskers
A small vial of ashes — less than a teaspoon, in case you'd like remembrance jewellery made at a later stage
These aren't extras I sell. They're things I offer because I've learned that people need something to hold. I've seen a man cry as he handed his cat to me at the door. Not because of anything I gave him — because the loss was real, and the love was deep, and sometimes grief arrives before you're ready for it.
I collect from your home because the last journey shouldn't be one they hate.
And I handle every cat myself, from your door to the return of their ashes. No strangers. No handovers. Just me, the person you spoke to on the phone, treating your companion with the care I've learned they deserve.
If You're Facing This Today
I'm still a dog person. But I now know that losing a cat is every bit as painful as losing a dog. Maybe more so, because the love was quieter, and the absence is louder.
Call me when you're ready. I'll listen. And I'll make sure your cat is treated like the family member they were — not like an afterthought.
Alan — Southport Pet Farewells 📞 07746 883124
