Beijing opens first disposal plant for dead animals

　　By Jin Zhu

　　Beijing’s first pollution-free disposal plant for dead pets opened on September 26 as part of a theme park for pets in suburban Songzhuang.The center is part of CKC International Pet Dog Park, which covers an area of 3,000 square meters. There is space for more than 1,000 tombstones.

　　“Cremation of pets is becoming more popular because it is hygienic and dgnified,” said Wang Zheng, the park’s deputy general manager. “The whole process, including combustion, cooling and exhaust, is pollution-freeThe cremation process uses the most advanced computer technology available.

　　“There is a special space with three floors underground to deal with mixtures of smoke, dust and other pollutants,” Wang said.At present, Beijing has more than 1 million registered pets and nearly a million more unregistered ones. With a death rate of 3 percent, there is huge demand for pet cremation services. Most residents currently bury their pets, which could lead to environmental pollution and disease associated with the decay of dead animals, Wang said.

　　Although the cemetery only has one incinerator, it can cremate hundreds of dead pets per day.

　　“For each pet, the cremation process lasts 20 to 30 minutes,” Wang said. “So far, 10-plus ownersve cremated their deceased dogs on it.?

　　Cremation costs 600 to 800 yuan, depending on the size of the animal, and cemetery maintenance costs the owner an additional 500 yuan per year.

　　The opening of the first cemetery brought job opportunities to local residents. “All workers, including cosmeticians, cremation operators and attendants in the cemetery, are local residents,” Wang saidThe Municipal Bureau of Agriculture said in August that 10 special disposal plants will be completed in the suburbs by 2012 to counter the lack of burial sites for dead animals in the city. Three of the 10 disposal plants are to enter construction this year.