The Rosa Bonheur cemetery was established in 1935 as one of the first cemetery’s to allow pet and human burials together. It is said that around 8000 animals and their humans are buried within these Acers. The grounds are named after Rosa Bonheur, a French artist that was well known for her paintings of animals. Many animals are buried within these grounds, everything from the famous Gypsy Queen, a WWI fighting horse, as well as Mary Ann, Baltimore zoos first elephant. These are only two of the famous animals. Most importantly, the countless, loving, human companions that stood by their human’s side that now lay rested here. In 2006 Rosa Bonheur stopped excepting burials and is now run entirely through the dedication of volunteers.
Visiting these grounds I was heartbroken to see the condition. Graves have been sunken in, trash littered the grounds. I know the volunteers dedicate time every week, but I believe there needs to be more. This is a cemetery, a place where humans laid there beloved animals to rest, as well as themselves. Their life was cherished enough to find a resting place they thought would be respected. Now it seems deserted and weakened. I am hoping to have this amazing cemetery brought back to life.
I hope you will help me.
Thank You!
