


For as long as people have loved and mourned animals as pets—which is a long time—there has been a need for places to bury those pets. As far back as ancient times, archaeologists have discovered graves for animals that were loved as pets or even worshipped as deities. Here are a few of the world’s most impressive, historic pet cemeteries that demonstrate how important animals have been to human life for centuries.
1. Cimetiére des Chiens et Autres Animaux Domestiques
For those of us that don’t speak fluent French, this famous Parisian pet cemetery is known as the Cemetery of Dogs and Other Domestic Animals. Located in a suburb called Asnières-sur-Seine, the pet cemetery first opened in 1899 and is includes graves for more common animals like dogs, cats and horses, and also more obscure pets such as lions, fish and monkeys. The ornately decorated cemetery is open to the public and was designated as an historic monument in 1987.
2. Ashkelon Dog Cemetery
In the late nineties, an ancient dog cemetery was discovered in Israel’s Ashkelon National Park. Archaeologist Lawrence Stager and his team unearthed about 1,300 dog skeletons, estimated to be from between the fifth and third centuries B.C. More than half of the dogs were puppies and the burials appeared to be individual.
There is some debate about terming this large collection of graves a “cemetery,” which implies that it was a sacred area for burials. Instead, many think it was simply a matter of local tradition to bury the animals and it was done wherever there was space for a grave.
3. Hyde Park
One of London’s largest green spaces, Hyde Park, is home to a pet cemetery from the Victorian era. Hyde Park was first founded as a hunting ground by King Henry VIII in 1536. In 1881, the park’s gatekeeper allowed a family to bury their dog, Cherry, in the park. Cherry’s tiny tombstone can still be seen in the cemetery, which is located in the far northwest corner of the huge park.
By 1903, the Hyde Park pet cemetery had 300 graves and it was officially closed. Today, visitors can pay a fee to enter the park and see the rows of little headstones.
4. Hartsdale Pet Cemetery
Built in 1896, Hartsdale Pete Cemetery is home to more than 7,000 graves and tombs and the same amount of memorials. The largest and oldest pet cemetery in America, it was placed on the National Historic Registry in 2012.
Harstdale Pet Cemetery, also called Hartsdale Canine Cemetery, was established by New York’s first offical veterinarian, Samuel Johnson. The cemetery began when Johnson allowed a client to bury her dog on his apple orchard. After an article was written about this generosity, Johnson found himself inundated with grieving owners seeking a burial place for their pets and he gladly obliged. Hartsdale is now the final home of almost 70,000 well-loved former pets.
If you are mourning the death of a pet, the Hutchison Funeral Home can help memorialized and remember your pet through pet cremation services.