Charm City Pet Crematory will host a candlelight vigil Saturday for pet owners impacted by the alleged actions of Loving Care Pet Funeral & Cremation Services in Catonsville.
The vigil will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Charm City Pet Crematory, located at 5172 O’Donnell St. in Baltimore.
Loving Care Pet Crematory has been accused by multiple customers of returning sand or concrete mixtures instead of the cremains of their deceased pets.
According to news reports, police in both Baltimore City and Baltimore County are investigating the crematory and its owner after the complaints. Investigators found the bodies of 38 cats and dogs packed into a hearse on the owner’s property in Baltimore City. The bodies of seven additional pets were found dumped on the side of the road, according to police. Animal Control and BARCS are also working with police on the investigation.
Zoey Robinson-Budreski of Charm City Pet Crematory is working with authorities to cremate the bodies of the pets that have been recovered and return the ashes to their owners.
“As a professional in this industry, and as a pet owner myself, I find it just appalling that these owners have had no closure, and that some of them still have questions about where their pets’ remains are at this point,” Robinson-Budreski said. “I simply cannot imagine a worse betrayal of trust.”
The candlelight vigil will be hosted by Robinson Budreski, who has more than two decades’ experience in the field of serving bereaved pet owners. The planned events include a candle lighting ceremony, reading the names of the lost pets, words of comfort from grief counselors and pet aftercare professionals, and a moment of silence for the affected pets and their owners.
The goal is to help grieving pet owners dealing with the additional distress of having their vulnerability exploited by a business they trusted. The event aims to raise awareness about ethical cremation standards and restore trust in pet aftercare.
“It is going to be very hard for people to trust again after such a wrenching betrayal,” Robinson-Budreski said. “It is our hope that we can offer visitors some comfort, and that healing can begin.”
