Some residents, animal lovers and city councilors in Surrey, British Columbia, are criticizing plans to redevelop a former pet cemetery where grieving owners have buried their animals for 40 years.
Plans are underway to build three homes on the corner of 147A Street and 78 Street, on land where hundreds of pets were buried from 1952 to 1992.
“I consider this a sacred place,” said Christine Schumacher, a pet sitter from Surrey who started a petition against the proposal.
“We call ourselves pet parents, but they are our fur babies…When someone dies, people grieve — I can't say the same [they would for] Although they are human, they still grieve. It's still a part of your life and it's gone. ”
Schumacher's petition has already gathered more than 2,000 signatures. She is contacting elected officials and seeking legal advice on how to prevent redevelopment of the cemetery.
But Rebekah Blader, a lawyer specializing in animal law, says there may be few remedies.
“The sad reality is that there is no legal protection for pet cemeteries in British Columbia at all,” Breeder said. “The next developer or property owner can just dig up the cemetery and do whatever they want with the remains.”
WATCH | In development, bodies will end up 'in the trash,' says pet sitter.
“Some of the inscriptions are very moving.”
Today, the land is a sprawling suburban property surrounded by single-family homes and surprisingly busy streets. Several large trees adorn it, along with the remains of what appears to be a long-disused path and thick brush.
If you look closely, you'll find rows of small, decaying plots of land with gravestones commemorating the names of captains, sailors, Piggy, Fido, Sheba, and countless others. Some people praise the rich lives of animals.
In memory of our pet who lived from 1974 to 1987, we wrote, “Dearest Mitzi, Mom and Dad will love you forever.''
Dave Collin believes the land should remain as it is. For the past few years, he has been voluntarily maintaining the property, which has been closed since 1992.
He also buried his cat, Two White Sox, here decades after the cemetery closed.
He describes himself as a Celtic Revivalist and says his love of nature and animals was a big part of the motivation for him to start cutting down brambles and removing debris from headstones at the site.
“I thought someone had to protect this place because no one was doing it,” Colin said. “Some of the inscriptions are very moving.”
No council vote required
The City of Surrey said in a statement that the development plan complies with existing zoning and there is “no indication that there is a technical reason to reject the subdivision.”
“Owners may apply for a building permit at any time, and the city is obligated to issue a permit if the design meets building codes,” the spokesperson wrote.
The spokesperson added that the city council does not have to vote on the project, but one councilor has expressed concerns about it.
“People bought places there with the best intentions of making it a forever home for their pet,” Annis said. “And I think the city should consider turning it into a neighborhood park or something.”
Schumacher and Colin agree with that idea.
Turnberry Developments said it bought the land in 1993, paid the taxes and has continued to maintain the site for more than 30 years.
The company said it proposed in the 1990s that the land be turned into a park or purchased by a nonprofit group, but that never happened. The land has now been sold to a Surrey house builder.
Mr Turnberry said over the years three former pet owners have requested headstones from the site and all requests have been met.
Schumacher, Blader and Collin all say the story highlights the need for laws in B.C. to prevent the redevelopment of pet cemeteries.
Salley said the redevelopment could be approved within the next few months.
