Hartsdale Pet Cemetery

About Hartsdale Pet Cemetery

Hartsdale Pet Cemetery holds a singular place in American history as the oldest continuously operating pet cemetery in the United States. Founded in 1896 by veterinarian Dr. Samuel Johnson and Emily Berthet on five hillside acres in the village of Hartsdale, New York — about 20 miles north of Manhattan — it was the first burial ground of its kind in the country, designed to give pets the same dignified farewell afforded to people. Today it is the final resting place for more than 80,000 animals, including dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, reptiles, and even the cremated remains of a Bengal tiger and a lion cub that once lived at the Plaza Hotel.

In 2012, Hartsdale was added to the National Register of Historic Places — the first and only animal burial ground to receive this distinction. The cemetery, lovingly known as the "Peaceable Kingdom," has been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution, the National Wildlife Federation, and Lonely Planet, which listed it among the top 10 burial grounds in the world alongside the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids of Giza. The grounds are also home to the first National War Dog Memorial, honoring the canine heroes of World War I. Hartsdale has been under the direction of the Martin family for over 40 years, and most staff members have been with the cemetery for two decades or more. The cemetery is a long-standing Accredited BBB Member (since 1996) and a member of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories (IAOPCC).

Services Offered

Hartsdale Pet Cemetery provides the following services to families in the Hartsdale, New York area:

• Pet Burial (Individual Plots, All Species Welcome)
• Funerals and Private Viewing Room
• Pet Cremation
• Gentle Pet Transportation
• Monuments and Caskets
• Floral Programs
• Human Cremains Interment (burial alongside pets, permitted under New York State law)
• Pre-Need Planning
• After-Hours Pick-Up Service
• Perpetual Care Trust Fund Plots

What to Expect

Hartsdale Pet Cemetery encourages pre-need planning so that families can make thoughtful, unhurried decisions before the emotional moment of loss arrives. Families may choose from individual burial plots with perpetual or annual care plans, private funeral services, cremation, or a combination of arrangements. The cemetery accepts pets of all species and sizes, and the serene, well-maintained grounds — with flowering cherry trees, a babbling brook, and winding paths — offer a peaceful setting for visits. For after-hours needs, a pick-up service is available by calling (914) 281-0345. To learn more or begin planning, contact the cemetery at (914) 949-2583.