Inside Edenhills Headquarters

On Friday the 4th of September 2026, I ventured off to Edenhills HQ in Maddingley for a tour and learning day.

I felt extremely privileged to attend. All the other attendees were either Veterinarians or Veterinary nurses and I’m just this mum of two. A very average human being, if you ask me.

The learning started off with a bit of a meet and greet, along with a chat about the history of how Edenhills started.

In case you didn’t know, in 1984, Eric Stringer was at a barbecue where he saw animals being cremated. He began thinking about what happened to people’s pets after they died.

At that time, Perth pet owners had two options: bury their animal themselves or take them to the tip.

Eric already owned land at Clackline, roughly 80km east of Perth. He had originally intended to use the property for a horse trotting track, but couldn’t obtain a training licence because he wouldn’t use a whip on the horses.

So, he changed direction.

He obtained council approval, planted around 800 pine trees, and transformed the property into a place where families could properly farewell their animals.

That became Lawnswood Pet Cemetery and Crematorium.

But the story didn’t end there.

Eric’s son, Lance Stringer, grew up around the business and eventually became part of the family legacy. The business continued to evolve as the way we view our pets changed.

Pets became more than animals we shared our homes with. They became family members and with that came a growing understanding that when a pet dies, families need more than somewhere to take them. They need care, compassion, dignity and a meaningful way to say goodbye.

That original family business eventually expanded beyond Western Australia, with Edenhills carrying that same philosophy into Victoria and beyond.

Listening to the history behind it all was pretty special.

Because ONE person, back in 1984, recognised that there had to be a better way to farewell a beloved animal and look at what that one idea became. It’s amazing just what one person can do from an idea.

We then moved on to viewing some of the beautiful memorial keepsakes Edenhills offers.

Some of them were truly stunning. From paw castings, to beautiful wind chimes, globes and other personalised ways families can keep a little piece of their furbaby close.

From there, we made our way down to the crematorium.
We were able to see where horses arrive and learn about how they are transported to Edenhills and moved into the crematorium.

I learnt that even horses are respectfully placed into a body bag when they are collected from their owner.
Isn’t that so beautiful?

There is something incredibly special about knowing that even after their last breath, they are still treated with dignity.

We then moved into the crematorium itself.

I was shocked… but I wasn’t shocked if that makes any sense.

I think part of me expected it to feel eerie, because ultimately, this is a crematorium right?

But what I saw was an environment that was extremely clean, tidy, organised and incredibly well managed. It wasn’t eerie at all, it was lovely to be honest.

The tracking system Edenhills have in place was something that really stood out to me. Knowing that every single pet is carefully accounted for throughout the process gave me such a sense of reassurance.

The first cremation chamber we saw was for the horses. I was particularly interested because I am planning to have both my horses cremated. It was nice to see with my very own eyes where they will both come when the time arrives.

We were taken through the process of a private cremation and shown the cremation chambers and the different stages involved in caring for a pet throughout the process.

We also saw how paw prints are taken and fur clippings are collected, allowing families to receive those precious little pieces of their furbaby to keep forever.

Another thing I found incredibly respectful was learning that pets are not removed from their bags unless absolutely necessary.

Edenhills believes there is no reason to disturb a pet unnecessarily. They remain peacefully in their bag throughout the process, with only the necessary handling taking place.

Even for something as precious as a paw print, a small opening is made in the bag so the print can be taken, and then the opening is carefully closed again.

Knowing that a furbaby is only handled when they need to be gives me such a sense of peace.

As someone who has lost two of my own beautiful boys, there is something incredibly comforting about knowing that even after death, while they are still in their physical form, they are being treated with the same gentleness and respect.

They aren’t being unnecessarily moved around or disturbed.

They are simply allowed to rest.

We then moved to the final stage, where the beautiful ladies carefully put together everything the family has requested for their pet.

The urn you chose, the plaque, their beloved ashes, the special keepsakes.
Everything is handled with such care and respect.

Seeing the ashes being placed so respectfully into the chosen urn, the plaque being attached and all of those little details being put together exactly as the family requested was something I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

You know, I’m an incredibly emotional and sensitive person and I found the entire experience to be so incredibly special.

What I saw yesterday has given me a completely different perspective.

I’ve always wanted my own pets to be so loved and cared for right until the very end and yesterday I got to actually see what that care looks like.

Knowing that Sargey and Slicky were cared for in this way before they came home to me.. also seeing with my own eyes the level of care Sahara and Solē will receive when their time comes is something I honestly can’t put a price on.

I think that’s what hit me the hardest.

Even after our pets have passed, they are still our babies. They still deserve gentleness. They still deserve dignity. They still deserve to be treated with love and respect while they remain in their physical form.

Seeing that gave me a sense of peace that I didn’t realise I needed.

Throughout the day, I had one of those moments where everything just suddenly made sense.

I am exactly where I’m meant to be.
Yesterday showed me exactly why that matters.

I want The 4S Legacy Inc to help families access THIS kind of care. Whether that care is provided through Edenhills, Lawnswood, Patch & Purr, Pets in Peace or Pets at Peace, depending on where they live.
Different names across different parts of Australia but the same level of care and respect for the animals entrusted to them.

And after yesterday, I feel even more determined to build those relationships and make that kind of farewell accessible to families who genuinely need our help.

Yesterday wasn’t just a learning day for me.

It was personal. It was emotional. It was incredibly reassuring. And more than anything, it reminded me exactly why I started The 4S Legacy Inc.

I went to Edenhills thinking I was going there to learn more about pet cremation.

I left with even more certainty that The 4S Legacy Inc is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

What an absolute privilege, Thankyou for having me Edenhills!