Chernivtsi has purchased an animal crematorium for nearly one million hryvnias.

The Chernivtsi City Council has purchased an animal crematorium. Almost one million hryvnias have been allocated from the city budget for its procurement. Currently, the furnace is not yet operational. The Animal Sterilization Center emphasized that they are waiting for specialists from Kyiv who are supposed to set up the specialized equipment. However, they noted that the crematorium will incinerate not only deceased stray animals but also pets of Chernivtsi residents for a fee.

According to ZAXID.NET, the Animal Sterilization Center explained that the crematorium was acquired because the burial site for animals is nearly full. The cost of the cremation furnace is 920,000 UAH. The funds for it were allocated from the city budget.

“The Sterilization Center will provide cremation services for all city residents. People will be able to come and bring their pets. Previously, many residents refused to bury their beloved pets in the communal cemetery because they simply did not want their friend to be laid to rest in that pit. Now they will have the opportunity to say goodbye to their pet with dignity,” said Natalia Zasymova, the head of the Center.

To operate the equipment, a concrete platform will be constructed at the Sterilization Center. The crematorium will be located 300 meters away from residential buildings. According to the Center's director, the manufacturer and supplier of the equipment assured that there should be no noticeable smoke or odor at all. Regarding the costs of operating the crematorium, Natalia Zasymova mentioned that there are currently no exact prices available since the cremation furnace is not yet set up, and it is still unknown how much fuel it will consume in one hour of operation.

“The furnace runs on diesel fuel. We will only announce a tender for the procurement of the necessary amount of fuel starting January 13. Specialists from Kyiv are also expected to arrive to carry out all the necessary work,” the director noted.

According to media agency ACC, the prices for the crematorium services for animals have not yet been approved. Various factors will influence the formation of costs. In a comment, the head of the Sterilization Center noted that it takes approximately 45 minutes to heat up the equipment. One hour of the crematorium's operation is designed for 50 kilograms. It is also important to consider the price of diesel fuel and the labor of the workers. A general cremation may cost around 100-150 UAH when several animals are cremated at the same time. There will also be a service for individual cremation, which will average 2500-2600 UAH. However, these are preliminary prices that have not yet been finalized. The prices will be known later.

“Pet owners will be able to receive their pet's ashes after the cremation procedure,” the director of the Center said. Currently, the crematorium is expected to be fully operational from February.