Hartsdale

A Tradition of Caring

We help keep the memory of your pet alive...

For more than 100 years, a special place for pets and the people who love them. In this tranquil, beautiful cemetery and crematory, every aspect of your pet’s final resting place is handled professionally, respectfully, and lovingly.

Helping people through a time of great loss and sorrowHere at the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery and Crematory, our people understand how sad a time it is for pet owners. That’s why, at every step of the way, we provide our services in a caring, compassionate and thoughtful way. We listen, we explain, we offer a variety of options. We never push. We are proud of our long history of both kindness and excellence. We know that our workplace is hallowed ground…that the pets here are truly family members. All of our experienced employees are committed to their jobs. From the moment we are contacted, anything that can be done to smooth the way and lessen grief is done. We provide total service in burials and cremations, offering numerous choices, taking care of details, making sure that nothing is left to chance and all goes exactly as planned 

A historic hillside in the heart of WestchesterIt began with a simple act of kindness in 1896 by Dr. Samuel Johnson, a noted New York City veterinarian. A client, distressed and saddened at the death of her dog, wanted to give it a proper burial. But, there was no way to legally do this in the city. Being a man of great kindness and compassion, Dr. Johnson offered his hillside apple orchard in Hartsdale for the burial. The woman gratefully accepted and soon her beloved pet was resting peacefully among the apple trees. Though the woman’s name, as well as her pet’s, has been lost to history, one fact is certain. Her pet is still here in this peaceful, beautiful place, as are tens of thousands more. Soon, with the help of a story by a local reporter, Dr. Johnson was besieged by literally hundreds of requests from grieving pet owners. Unable to ignore or abandon these people, Dr. Johnson increasingly allowed more and more land to be set aside for these pets. Flower arrangements and stone markers soon followed. What had been an apple orchard had become America’s first pet cemetery. In 1914, to ensure the safety of all the pets at rest, the land was incorporated so it would always be utilized as a pet cemetery.

Today it is home to nearly 80,000 pets – from dogs and cats to rabbits and reptiles and even a lion cub. All are welcome here.

A total commitment to quality and the highest standardsWe are a member of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and licensed by the state of New York. At our last inspection by the state, the inspector noted that Hartsdale’s procedures and controls exceed the standards of most human crematoria. Cremains are returned in a free decorative tin with a removable top. Or, an owner may choose from a tasteful selection of urns.

Here at Hartsdale, we do not engage in any other business. And the NYS Department of Environmental Control has approved all of our crematoria. Plus, we are fortunate to have sufficient land in our cemetery to sustain growth for many years to come. Tranquil and beautiful, professional and caring. This is truly a special place for pets and the people who love them.

America's First and Most Prestigious Pet Burial Grounds and CrematoryWe pride ourselves in our professionalism. All records are kept on a network of computers. Our systems to ensure quality are time-tested and unrivaled in the industry. All equipment and standards are state-of-the-art. Pet owners can visit Hartsdale any time they wish. (We’re open every day except New Year’s Day.) Three times a year flowers are planted. Dr. Johnson, we’re sure, would be extremely proud of his hillside apple orchard.