I called Gary Smith with Benson Brook Pet Cremations the morning I was to take my cat Ivan to the…read morevet. Gary seemed like a good guy on the phone and though it was to be an hour and ten minute drive from Portland, I decided to take Ivan there when it was over. In the first place it was just a really good drive and maybe I needed that to clear my head. In the second place, Benson Brook seems to be at the end of a peaceful road in Parsonsfield, Maine. It seemed appropriate. Gary runs the business in what looks like his garage, which gives kind of a hoakie first impression. That impression quickly goes away when you meet him. He demonstrates a genuine sympathy for people and their lost pets. He has a nice lobby area and will gladly show you everything involved and answer any questions. At my request, Gary allowed me to place Ivan into the crematorium myself, which afforded me one last look at him, as if he was just taking a nap curled up against the bricks. Gary closed the door and started the process while I watched, and I can truly say I was there with my cat Ivan until the very end. The next morning I returned and Ivan's ashes were in a very nice ceder box Gary made himself. It was a nice touch on top of the many other nice touches. I am not looking forward to seeing Gary again or making the drive to Parsonsfield, but (at least), two more times, I will. It is kind of a long drive to Benson Brook, but I recommend you make it. The terrible sadness I feel has not abated even a little bit, but I have peace of mind that my cat Ivan's remains were treated with care and respect. I know, because I was there.

I took my favorite kitty, Sinbad, here a few years ago and ,unlike other places, you can be assured…read moreyou will get your very same animal back. Gary gave me all the time that I needed to mourn and was very sympathetic when I cried horribly. He promised I would get my same animal back and he showed me his set up. He gave me a snippet of Sinbad's fur as a momento. I picked up my ashes the next day and Sinbad was in a nice box with a very nice bag. Gary really is very kind and he runs an ethical business. He is flexible and reliable. I will be bringing him my eldest kitty, Topaz, of 14yrs either today or tomorrow after he is put into his eternal sleep - and I KNOW I will be getting my very same animal back. Gary runs a very small operation and his customer service is flawless. He is very helpful during this difficult time and I will always return - no matter how far I move away. I would not trust my animals with anyone else.

Christina is the most remarkably kind women. She made this very tough experience as smooth and…read moreseamless as it could be. She was so helpful with sharing her own experiences and she provided the most amazing resources to help us talk with our children about the loss of our dog, Toni. She has followed up several times to make sure we are doing well. She was a godsend! Working with her was one of the best decisions and I really feel that we honored Toni by choosing her. A+++++++

From the owner: We are an in home hospice and euthanasia service for pets.read more

We have used Animal Heaven's services twice now. Marie is a loving soul who will treat your pets…read morewith respect. She also allows us to drop off our pet to her, saving the fees that the vet would add on to deliver to her. I recommend Animal Heaven in your time of sorrow.

This business is Heaven sent! We had to say goodbye to our sweet Bailey Girl on Monday, Marie the…read moreowner had us bring her straight over. I felt comforted, and nothing but love and professionalism. We received Bailey's ashes on Thursday. Now she is back home with us, right where she should be. Thank you to Marie and Animal Heaven.

I bought a plot at Hillside Acre Pet cemetery for my 4 dogs. Just got finished paying it off as I…read morehad a life threatening illness that took me awhile to get through. Dave Gordon that works at the cemetery is a wonderful person that will do anything in his powers to help you out! They ought to be thankful that they have him, such a wonderful man.. When I get back in the area I'll make an appointment to bury my furbabies and have a little graveside service with my husband and myself. I'll also make a donation for Mr. Gordon and his workers to get the much needed supplies they need to care for this Beautiful Resting Place for all our fur babies as well as those brave dogs that were right beside our servicemen and women fighting in wars..May they all Rest in Forever Peace.

My cat Scully passed on Friday. We have a burial plot at Hillside Acre, which was closed for…read moreVeterans Day. My mother emailed Dave Gordon, who responded over the weekend. He arranged for us to bring her remains to Nevins Farm's shelter on Sunday. When we attempted to do so, we had a very distressful situation with a member of the shelter's staff and, therefore, did not leave Scully's remains at the shelter, (see my review of Nevins Farm's animal shelter for more information). Dave personally went to the shelter Monday morning to address the issue. Meanwhile, we went to the shelter and met with Glen Gaccione, who was also very respectful and understanding of what we've been through. Due to what happened the day before - although it wasn't any fault of theirs - Hillside Acre gave us a refund for the cost of the burial. Hillside Acre staff also demonstrated sympathy and compassion three and a half years ago when my cat Mulder passed, as well as several years ago with my parents' cat Lego. Hillside Acre cemetery is large and well maintained. Glen was outside attending to the grounds when we arrived yesterday. The area has a fence. Anyone with a burial plot as a key to the grounds to visit grave sites, which are protected from the general public. They have an office area for business that's apart from a functioning kitchen and a viewing area with comfortable seating. You can now buy grave stones through Hillside Acre. They also offer grief support and memorial tributes. Burials are free for dogs who have served this country in the military.

We recently lost our faithful feathered companion and (of course) the ground had just frozen…read more.. The last time this occurred we were 1000 miles away travelling and the local vet provided a cremation option and we were pleased with the result so we tried Flukes. Every aspect of Flukes service was professional and appropriate. The custom certificates, private cremation, claw print, packaging, and even a custom bag for pickup... All aspects of Flukes service either met or exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend them for anyone who has gone through the loss of a treasured pet.

After just one experience with Fluke's Aftercare and the owner, Linda, my husband and I would…read moresimply not consider taking any one of our four-legged children who will leave us at some, I hope, far in the future point to anyone else. We were met with such compassion, kindness, warmth and understanding that it alleviated any concerns that we may have had as to how our dearly departed would be treated. Linda was kind enough to place Blobbo's remains in the urn that we had purchased elsewhere and, despite our not having requested anything other than clippings of our dear Blobbo's fur, (and we received quite a bit of that - thank you again, Linda,) we also received a lovely remembrance packet that contained his paw print on a heart-shaped piece of plaster, a lovely little remembrance bracelet, some wind chimes that will always remind us of our dear boy, a votive candle, and some candies. Finally, there was also a certificate as to individual cremation having been done that also contained a paw print on it. All of this was contained in a nice tote that was ours to keep and another reminder of our Blobbo. Thank you, Linda and Fluke's Aftercare, for the best possible experience we ever could have hoped to have under very sad circumstances.

I've had 3 pets cremated here. The are very kind and sympathetic. The day we came in they were…read morehaving a service for a K-9 officer's dog. We had a Hamster a rabbit and our dog cremated there. I highly recommend them.

I can't thank the staff at Greener Pastures enough for their excellent service, care and…read morecompassion. Putting your beloved pet down is traumatizing enough but they were very helpful and comforting. I worked with Marjorie and she was amazing and helped me through the process. She delivered my baby's ashes in a beautiful carved wooden box, packaged very nicely with a lovely card and paw print keepsake. I will always refer them to our friends and family. God bless you all

Best vets in the area. The gentle, caring & professional way they handle the pet is comforting &…read morereassuring. Their understanding & kindness toward the pet parent are unmatched. A decade of helping me through each stage of my two cat's lives has been exceptional. The entire staff just wonderful.

Newbury Veterinary Clinic took care of our dog for 9 years. Exceptional care by a great staff…read more Dr. Cook is very personable and caring. She has always helped us make wise decisions for our dog. Our dog had succumbed to cancer this last week, and we feel lucky to have been blessed both with our dog and the care she received from Newbury Vet. Clinic. All the happiness and love our dog shared with us was in part because of The staff at the clinic. Thank you! We recommend them 110%

We held my brothers funeral through Mark and the funeral home. Mark was extremely helpful and…read moresupportive the entire time and it just made the whole process and time period nice. thank you.

Our experience with Cournoyer was fantastic from start to finish. I could list all the details…read morethat made me write a five-star review, but it really comes down to this: The staff was prompt, kind, knowledgeable, accommodating, thoughtful, and professional throughout the process. Their facility was nice. The hearse used for the funeral was beautiful. Their pricing was realistic. They are family owned, and they obviously take pride in what they do.

Having never needing to be the one to directly handle a life changing event like the passing of our…read morefather, Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel made us "feel like family" and walked us through the steps while allowing time as needed when it became very difficult to handle both the passing and handling of the funeral. Mr. Michael Farrow explained every step of the process, service selection, and even gave us options for the Mercy Meal after the service. If was if if he knew my father and the care and respect showed was greatly appreciated. Michael also helped us schedule the services as to not impact the family due to other services scheduled around the same time. Our father looked amazing and at peace, they did an amazing job--everyone was impressed. We were never rushed. We were able to make changes during the process as well with no issues or questions. Mercadante's also has kept in touch after the services were completed, this was not expected; yet welcomed as it has been helping us during the healing process. They also handled all the paperwork for his certificate of death, social security, etc. Everyone was professional, caring, and understanding--as I stated, they treated us like "family" from start to finish. Thank You Michael Farrow and Mercadante's Staff.

My husbands funeral was 6 yrs ago today at Mercadante funeral home. They were so un compassionate,…read moreincompetent and un of there empathetic people I've ever dealt with. They said my husband was meaty so there would be plenty of ashes!!!they had empty tissues boxes the day of his wake, the screwed up his death certificate in 2 spots, they put his ashes in the incorrect scatter urns, they removed cards from flower arrangements as we went to take them home. They called me someone else name when they called me to make funeral arrangements and said they were scattered from several funerals. Wow. Really WOW. I'm was scattered from losing the love of my life unexpected from a heart attack. And I'm supposed to be focused and double check their work. Incompetent I how no one ever has to go thru what I went thru with them. And they never apologized for their mistakes and shortcomings. Hard to believe they would treat us like they did in the worst days of my our lives. .

Love Oyster River. My dog is an anxious rescue who can go a bit mental when people handle her, and…read morethey always manage to take the best care of her. The staff are all angels, it's a chill environment and I'd recommend it to anyone looking to get their pet a vet.

always premium care for my kitties. highly recommend!! It's like they are coparenting my animals…read more They are totally invested in their well being