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Heartbreaking Closure of Melbourne Pet Cemetery Left Owners in the Dark
Content warning: This contains discussions of pet loss.
We know many of our members are pet owners. We consider pets an important part of the family: I know I do. That’s why, when member Saskia C. recently reached out to bring something to our attention, we were deeply distressed and had to investigate. Here is what she shared:
‘I had four dogs buried at the Pets Memorial at Bergins Road Rowville. I had beautiful plaques made up and was told it was a permanent resting place. The first dog that I had buried there was August 1992, followed by three others as the years went by. As the cemetery was full, I had the remains of my next four dogs that I had cremated when they passed away, and I have them in containers at home. Some weeks ago, I had a medical appointment in the Rowville area and decided that as I was passing, I would go there. As I drove up Bergins Road, I noticed the road wasn’t gravel anymore and had no big potholes; it was bitumen and lots of houses. As I kept going, I stopped where the entrance WAS, and to my shock and horror, there were houses built on the cemetery area and across the road; in fact, the entire area is housing. The cemetery had been bulldozed, including the plaques and the owners were not notified that it was going to be entirely destroyed and houses built by the owner. I was and still am completely devastated that the gravesites of my four dogs were just totally demolished.’
‘There is a boarding kennel just around the kennel and I went there to ask them when it was destroyed and the owner of the kennels told me approximately four years ago. The property was privately owned. At no time were we advised that it was going to be demolished so that we could retrieve the plaque and complain that it was a permanent resting place for our pets. I contacted Knox City Council, who told me it had nothing to do with them as the land was privately owned. Surely, they knew about it, and it would have been common courtesy for the owner to notify the pet owners of his plans. Knox City Council say they were not involved in the sub-dividing of the plots of land, or involved in anything concerning the land, that it was all privately done and owned. I don’t believe it, as the Council wants to know everything but only gets involved if they are interested.’
Image Credit: Pets Memorial Gardens
‘There were many beloved animals buried there, including horses from the late 1800’s, many dogs and cats and even guinea pigs and, more than likely, other beloved animals. I am angry that, firstly, the cemetery was destroyed. It was sacred land. I’ve gone through the whole feeling of loss and the memories of losing these four beautiful, faithful dogs all over again. I demanded that the plaques be available to me but the council will not give me the name of the previous owner.’
‘I also wonder if the people who live there are aware that they are living on top of what was a permanent pet cemetery. I only found out by coincidence because I was going that way and felt it was time to visit my pets again. I believe everyone who had their pets there should be notified of what has happened and that, in some way, we be compensated as the plots belonged to the owners.’
‘People have the right to know that their pets are no longer there. I believe the owner should be fined for not doing his moral duty in notifying people that the cemetery was being demolished and for a chance for people to retrieve their plaques.’
We did some research into this, and here’s what we found.
Pets Memorial Gardens, Melbourne’s only pet cemetery, was forced to close in 2018.
Proprietor John Alexander claimed he ‘had no choice but to’ shut the gates of the 52-year-old pet cemetery in June 2018.
‘It's heartbreaking for all involved,’ Alexander told The Herald Sun, reflecting on the thousands of animals, from cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, goats, goldfish, and lizards, who had been laid to rest at the cemetery – including the 1978 Caulfield Cup winner, Taksan.
‘The gates were always open to the public to visit… people would come and lay flowers most days. It's incredibly disappointing ... I'm not sure what we'll do next.'
You may be wondering the reason for such a shocking closure. Despite claims about supposedly new council restrictions on crematorium use – which had been cited by Alexander as the driving force behind his decision to call it quits – there may not actually have been new 'restrictions' at all. Mr Alexander reportedly cited restrictions on crematorium operating hours due to complaints from neighbours as another reason for the closure.
Image Credit: Facebook
The Knox City Council denied that it had put any restrictions on the use of the crematorium at all, citing that the only contact with the proprietor in recent years was an inspection in 2017, which revealed 'no breaches of operating procedures or guidelines’.
'Council has been able to confirm we have not enforced any new restrictions on the cemetery, including a reduction on the hours its crematorium could operate,' a spokesman said.
'The only record of contact that Council has had with the former owner/operator in recent years was a site inspection involving Council and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in 2017, which found no breaches of operating procedures or guidelines. We have also reached out to the former owner/operator.'
So why, then, did Alexander close the pet cemetery? It's hard to say, as Alexander has not made any specific public comment in reply to the Council’s statement.
Notices were placed before closure. Image Credit: Facebook
Whatever the reason, the closure of Pets Memorial Gardens is a huge loss.
In the lead-up to the closure, Mr Alexander placed public notices asking people to collect memorial plaques for their pets. There is no information on whether attempts were made to contact impacted pet owners, but considering Member Saskia C’s experience, it seems it could be unlikely.
This sequence of events is deeply distressing and something that no pet owner should ever have to go through.
Members, do you know anyone whose family pet was buried at Pets Memorial Gardens? Are they aware of the closure?
Our thoughts are with every impacted family. Thank you again to member Saskia C. for bringing this important news to our attention.
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