A crematory for small animals is in the works for Ottawa.

The crematory is to be part of the Stack Test Group facility at 1500 Boyce Memorial Drive, which is owned by Bill Byczynski. The crematory is to be operated by Nick Sergenti. Stack Test Group provides industrial clients with air compliance testing and solutions to air emission problems.

The crematory is to be called "Pet Heaven," with a possible start-up in February. The Ottawa City Council gave its clearance Tuesday night.

Sergenti explained Stack Test Group's building contains a walk-in cooler left from the time when the building housed Seattle Sutton Healthy Eating. The crematory unit will be in the cooler and can handle animals weighing as much as 300 to 400 pounds. Sergenti said he expects mostly cats and dogs, but the unit could accommodate deer. He further said he expects one mass burning per week, but individual cremations would also be done. Two workers would be employed part-time.

Sergenti said there will be little indication on the outside that cremations are taking place. Animal bodies will be collected from veterinarians and arrive in a van that will pull inside the building for unloading. The burnings will not emit an odor, visible smoke or elevated noise to the outside. He described the process as "very clean," noting the crematory unit to be installed is the same type used by the Humane Society.Pet owners will be given the option of having ashes returned to them.

Sergenti said there are few animal crematories in Illinois, with the nearest one in Aurora.