Location: Fair Grove, Mo.
Owner: Tom Phillips
History:When the former Halfway Packing facility in Halfway, Mo., closed, the removal of deceased animals was left up to the farmer or rancher. For some producers, it was a difficult task to undertake for a variety of reasons, including not having a proper location to dispose of the animal.
A builder by trade, when the construction industry began lagging in 2008, Tom Phillips began his carcass removal business on a part-time basis. Seeing a wide need, Tom began offering carcass removal services to veterinarians, farmers and ranchers in the region.
“It’s really a low-key deal,” Tom said. “When Halfway Packing went out 12 years ago, then eight years ago for good, there wasn’t anyone else doing it. I’ve been doing it for vets now for about 12 years. Honestly, if people don’t get the information from area vets, they really don’t know I’m doing it.”
Tom said he has built a client base since that time, and has repeat clients for his services.
Services: Equipped with a truck and trailer, Tom will remove deceased animals, cover them for transport, then bury it. He removes all species of animals.
“I almost picked up an elephant one time,” he said. “I’ve picked up a lot of animals. When I pick up an animal, it gets buried and is not used for anything else.”
Tom said for some livestock owners, the loss of an animal is traumatic. With that in mind, all animals are treated in a respectful manner.
“I do this with some dignity,” he said. “All animals are covered for transport. It’s a service that’s really needed in the agricultural industry.”
Tom added that the service is only part of what he does, as he continues to work in the building trade as the owner of Phillips Custom Builders, L.C., but he promptly responds to requests for carcass removal.
Fees depend on the distance traveled.
“I’m basically about a 50-mile radius around Fair Grove,” he said, adding that there will be an added charge if the animal died three or four days prior to contacting him for pickup.
