But there’s a new service in town that’s taking pet pampering in Wagga to a whole new level: pet cremation.

Owner of Wagga’s new Cherished Memories Pet Services Meeghan Willis said pet cremation was part of a growing trend of treating pets like another child. 

“People love their animals, and they see them as part of the family now – all the pet shops that are popping up, pet grooming, pet sitting – people aren’t afraid to spend money on their pets these days,” Ms Willis said.

“Before we opened up, the closest pet cremation service was over in Albury, so this was definitely a service that Wagga needed.”

Ms Willis has already been approached by plenty of families, cremating all kinds of beloved creatures from dogs to guinea pigs. 

Veterinary nurse Cassie Hartshorn, who was one of Ms Willis’s first customers, said the service offered a lot of closure for the family.

“I knew cremation would be the better option because I rent, so I didn’t want to bury the dog in the backyard only to have to move later,” Ms Hartshorn said.

“It gives you really good closure – even though you know your pet’s not really there, it helps with the grieving process when they are returned home.” 

Pet cremation is only part of the pet pampering fever that has struck Wagga; professional groomer and “doggie daycare” provider Julie Seymour, who has worked with pets for 25 years, said animal lovers have now reached new heights. 

“When I started out, grooming was simply about getting the hair off them and just making them comfortable,” Ms Seymour said.

“But grooming has really come into its own – now, dogs are a bit of a fashion accessory, and people want to walk them down the street looking gorgeous and have everyone admiring them.” 

With pet cafes popping up in Sydney and Melbourne, the next frontier for Wagga’s pampered pets may well be a similar culinary experience.