Animal Memorials
Since ancient times there have been funeral ceremonies for animals, and as early as 1000 BC great tracts of land specifically for their burial were laid out alongside the Nile in Egypt.

The first public pet cemeteries in Europe were in fact founded in France in 1899, and subsequently have been built far and wide. One such sanctuary is Silvermere Haven in Cobham, Surrey, with over two thousand melancholy epitaphs set in idyllic undulating woodland and open fields.

It was opened in 1977 by the Gilbert family, who still run it today. Among the animals buried here are a 3.5m-long python, two goldfish, and a dog and a rabbit in the same coffin - as well as a family of rats and an alligator!

In the 1730s, the life of Sir Paulet St John was saved by his horse which leapt into a twenty five foot deep chalk pit - but by landing on his feet saved both his own life and that of his master. In his honour, Sir Paulet built a pyramid high on Farley Mount in Hampshire, and renamed him "Beware Chalk Pit". The valiant creature went on to win many races for Sir Paulet St John.

Thomas Anson was another who saw fit to commemorate a creature - this time a cat at Shugborough in Staffordshire - with a neo-classical monument designed by James Stuart. There are two theories as to who this creature might be; one is that it circumnavigated the world with Thomas Anson's brother, Admiral Anson. The other less epic theory is that this stone creature commemorates a rare Persian pet. Thomas Anson kept several such cats, who were eventually all to die of the distemper, rendering the breed extinct.

The Duchess of Bedford seems to have cast considerations of cost aside when she built a great Corinthian columned temple to her Pekinese Wuzzy - or Che Foo as was his dynastic name. In China, pekes were the object of worship for centuries, so it is appropriate that at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire there should be such an elegant monument. Here, Che Foo is honoured with his effigy cast in bronze. It stands with six elaborately carved Corinthian columns encircling the monument linked by benches supported by lion's feet. A stone frieze of swags, bows and fruits carries the wrought iron dome. When her peke died the Duchess made a desolate entry in her diary: My little Che Foo died. He has been my constant companion for over 11 years and a more faithful and devoted one I shall never have.

Visit the Memorials
Farley Mount:
Sparsholt, Winchester.

Shugborough:
Milford, nr. Stafford ST17 0XB.
Tel: 01889 881388
Fax: 01889 881323.
www.staffordshire.gov.uk

Woburn Abbey
Woburn, Bedfordshire MK43 OTP.
Tel: 01525 290666
Fax: 01525 290271.

Silvermere Haven Pet Cemetery
Byfleet Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1DZ.
Tel: 020 8546 7591
Fax: 020 8974 8264