Hartsdale Pet Cemetery

Hartsdale Pet Cemetery That single compassionate act served as the cornerstone for what was to become America’s first pet cemetery.

America’s first pet cemetery - established 1896
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Ranked Top 10 Cemetery in the World by Lonely Planet Travel Guides (2009) America’s first pet cemetery was established in 1896 by a New York City Veterinarian, who offered an apple orchard at his bucolic summer retreat in nearby Westchester County to serve as a burial plot for a bereaved friend’s dog

. Today the beautiful hillside location known as “The Peaceable Kingdom” is the final resting place for more than 80,000 pets of every description, including all manner dogs and cats as well as a number of more exotic pets, including a lion cub who lived at the Plaza Hotel. The plot-holders have included some of America’s most prominent financial and political figures, musicians, artists, celebrities of stage, screen and television. Some of the more unique treasures at Hartsdale include a fifty ton above-ground mausoleum for two spaniels, the first and largest of its kind, and the famous War Dog Memorial, which was dedicated after World War I and is the first public tribute to honor military canines for their bravery and sacrifice.

05/22/2026
Hartsdale Pet Cemetery is featured in a Swedish blogpost, Coffinfolk Café
01/09/2026

Hartsdale Pet Cemetery is featured in a Swedish blogpost, Coffinfolk Café

Världens äldsta, ännu verksamma djurkyrkogård. En vänlig gest av omtanke växte till ett fridfullt djurrike.

We held our annual Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday December 13th at Noon. Balsam wreaths adorned with red bo...
12/18/2025

We held our annual Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday December 13th at Noon. Balsam wreaths adorned with red bows and flags representing each branch of the military were placed at the foot of Hartsdale Pet Cemetery’s famous War Dog Memorial by veterans. Vincent Galligan, a high school junior and volunteer for Bugles Across America played a solemn but beautiful rendition of Taps.

The event was highlighted by a very special speaker – Megan Leavey. Megan is a former active duty United States Marine Corps corporal who served as a Military Police K9 handler and was partnered with Rex, a German Shepherd explosive detection dog, in 2004. They served two tours together in Iraq, completing over 100 missions, often leading patrols and saving lives detecting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Both were wounded by an IED in 2006, earning Leavey the Purple Heart and Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal with "V" device for valor.

After the bomb blast, Leavey tried to adopt Rex, but was turned down because he was seen as too aggressive for civilian life and they worried he would harm others. However, when Rex developed facial palsy, ending his bomb-sniffing duties, Leavey petitioned the Marine Corps for his adoption gaining almost 22,000 signatures. They were reunited in April 2012 through the intervention of Senator Chuck Schumer.

Rex lived out the rest of his days with Leavey until his passing on December 2012. Leavey continued working with animals like bomb detection dogs and eventually became a veterinary technician.
The story is chronicled in the 2017 film “Megan Leavey,” starring Kate Mara.

We would like to give very special and big thanks to Lisa Wernick for organizing the event and acting as master of ceremonies. We also wish to thank Heather Blasko and Comcast for sponsoring the event and providing care packages for all of the participants.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization that distributes wreaths for placement on veterans' graves in military cemeteries in a coordinated annual ceremony that takes place on the same day and time. Hartsdale Pet Cemetery is one of only two pet cemeteries in the United States that participates.

Wishing you all Happy Holidays!

12/18/2025

My legislation is now in effect! Chapter 683 of 2022 requires increased standards to be met in animal shelters to ensure the safety, health and well-being of the animals in their care. I’m proud to see these long-overdue standards for shelter and rescue care take effect.

TOMORROW AT NOON!
12/12/2025

TOMORROW AT NOON!

Address

100 N WASHINGTON Avenue
Hartsdale, NY
10530

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm
Saturday 8am - 4:30pm
Sunday 9:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+19149492583

Website

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