Meet Our Team
Family • Community • Compassion
At Kootenay Pet Cremations, everything we do is rooted in family values, community care, and genuine compassion. We are a small, family-run team, and we treat every grieving family and every veterinary clinic we work with as an extension of our own.
Your pet is always cared for by someone who knows how much this moment matters.
Melissa Clarkson & Shaq Manji
Co-Owners
Melissa and Shaq are the heart of Kootenay Pet Cremations. Together, they oversee every part of the process, ensuring families receive compassionate, transparent, and respectful care from start to finish.
Melissa leads client support and creates personalized memorial pieces with intention and care. Her calm, empathetic approach helps families feel heard, supported, and gently guided through an emotional time. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, hiking with the dogs, and dreaming up new projects (for Shaq haha). She is also looking forward to welcoming their baby boy in Spring of 2026.
Shaq oversees operations and is a certified crematory operator. His steady presence and attention to detail ensuring every pet is handled with dignity, accuracy, and respect. When he’s not working, Shaq can usually be found building, working on the property, or enjoying time outdoors.
Together, they are committed to building a thoughtful, dependable pet aftercare service that will support the community for years to come.
Stef Clarkson
On-Call Transport & Family Support
Stef (Mel’s sister) supports daytime call-outs when needed with plans to involve her more in the day to day operations of the business, especially during Melissa’s maternity leave.
A dedicated animal lover and homesteader, Stef and her partner, Dr. Emma Park, care for their animals and tend to their homestead. She is also a firefighter with the Fruitvale Fire department and a devoted mother. Stef embodies family, community well-being, and quiet strength, making her an invaluable part of our team.
Jim “Jungle” & Alba Clarkson
Family Support
Jim and Alba are the behind-the-scenes support that helps keep everything running smoothly.
Jim, born and raised in Nelson, worked for the City of Trail for 30 years before retiring. He is always ready to help, whether that means watching our dogs, lending a hand, or lightening the mood after a difficult day. His humour and reliability mean more than words can express.
Alba, born and raised in Trail after her parents moved to Canada in the 1950s, worked at Teck for 35 years and has long been part of the local Italian community. She supports the business with record keeping, screen-printing packaging, and helping us at community events. She also has a remarkable way of showing up with warmth, encouragement, and the occasional box homemade Pizzelle just when it’s needed most.
We are deeply grateful for their constant support and care.
Our Four-Legged Team Members
Boof And Chili
Emotional Support & Morale Boosters
Boof and Chili bring comfort, joy, and a sense of calm to our days. Their (sometimes) gentle presence, wagging tails, and ability to sense when a moment needs softness remind us why this work matters so much. They keep our space grounded in warmth and unconditional love
Our Promise
We care for every pet with the same tenderness and respect we would want for our own.
We are here to support families, stand beside veterinary clinics, and honour every life with dignity and compassion.
Thank you for trusting us.
