The Hartlepool entrepreneur who set up a pet cremation business in memory of his beloved dog

A Hartlepool man is launching a new pet cremation service in town – and has dedicated it to his own beloved black labrador which died a year ago.
By Chris Cordner
Published 12th Feb 2021, 07:00 BST
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Roxy’s Rainbow pet cremation services will offer people a personal cremation for their pet, whether it is a goldfish or a Great Dane.

Owner Darren Bates has started it up in memory of his family black Labrador Roxy who died from a tumour on January 31, 2020.

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"Roxy was a therapy dog and she used to visit an old man with dementia in his home. Roxy was also a rescue dog and she was our world.

Darren Bates and his wife Pamela, with their dog Olive, hwo have set up a pet cremation service, Roxy's Rainbow, based in Greatham Street, Hartlepool.Darren Bates and his wife Pamela, with their dog Olive, hwo have set up a pet cremation service, Roxy's Rainbow, based in Greatham Street, Hartlepool.
Darren Bates and his wife Pamela, with their dog Olive, hwo have set up a pet cremation service, Roxy's Rainbow, based in Greatham Street, Hartlepool.

"She was nine when she died and it was quite sudden.”

Roxy began limping during a run on the beach and within 20 minutes of going to the vets, she died from a tumour.

The business is a tribute to Roxy and Darren said: “We have her ashes by the bedside and we want a business which will focus on individual cremations for pets, whether it is a goldfish or a Great Dane.”

Darren is a former joiner who is putting everything into the new venture. He has done the appropriate training on using the cremation machine which he has invested in, and has the permissions in place to run the business which will be the first ever of its kind in Hartlepool.

Darren Bates and his wife Pamela, with their dog Olive, hwo have set up a pet cremation service, Roxy's Rainbow, based in Greatham Street, Hartlepool.Darren Bates and his wife Pamela, with their dog Olive, hwo have set up a pet cremation service, Roxy's Rainbow, based in Greatham Street, Hartlepool.
Darren Bates and his wife Pamela, with their dog Olive, hwo have set up a pet cremation service, Roxy's Rainbow, based in Greatham Street, Hartlepool.
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It is a ‘massive change’ for dad-of-two Darren but he said: “I have done a lot of research into it and I have had a lot of messages of support as well as people thanking me for doing it in Hartlepool.”

Roxy’s Rainbow will be based in Greatham Street and Darren is offering a collection service to collect a pet from a person’s home or the vets.

He will offer a farewell room for people to say their goodbyes to their pets. Darren will also offer a service where the ashes of the pet will be given to the owner within 24 to 48 hours.

His wife Pamela, 44, who also owns a dog daycare business in Hartlepool, will be helping with Roxy’s Rainbow.

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Related topics:Darren BatesHartlepool