Final home for furry family: Inside Metro Manila’s first pet cemetery

MANILA — Flowers, a ball, and a beloved pet’s favorite food bowl—these are among the items adorning the graves at the Barangay Fortune Pet Memorial Garden, a pet cemetery in Marikina City and the first of its kind in Metro Manila.

Overlooking the Marikina River and surrounded by the park’s peaceful greenery and refreshing breeze, the garden offers a tranquil resting place for beloved pets whose memories live on in the hearts of their owners.

Rizalina Watson Teote, former barangay chairperson, came up with the idea of establishing the pet cemetery to provide dogs and cats in their community with a dignified final resting place. Over time, more pet owners expressed interest in the cemetery.

She said they started by burying dead animals they found on the road. 

“Siguro mga 10 lang ‘yong nailibing namin hanggang sa ilathala ito sa social media at marami nang nag-inquire ‘yong pagpapalibing,” Teote told ABS-CBN News.

(We had buried around 10 until people found out about it on social media and we received many inquiries about burying their pets.)

She said she and the barangay council decided to open the the pet cemetery to the public in 2022.

The Barangay Fortune Pet Memorial Garden relies on donations to sustain its operations, but its services are not free. Pet owners residing in Barangay Fortune are charged P300, while those from outside the barangay must pay P500.

The fee covers the burial service and a personalized tombstone bearing the deceased pet’s name.

“Masaya ako na mayroong ganitong uri ng huling hantungan para sa mga alaga. Bukod doon, masaya ako na kompara sa mga ibang funeral o cremation services para sa mga namayapang alaga, mas mura siya ‘di hamak,” said Ysa Paches, a “fur parent” who had their pet buried in the memorial garden.

(I am happy that there is a place like this as a final resting place for our pets. I am also happy that it is more affordable than funeral or cremation services for companion animals.)

Paches said she hoped there would be more pet cemeteries in Metro Manila.

The memorial garden has grown to accommodate more than 11,630 animals. With an average of 10 to 15 new burials each day, it is now nearing full capacity.

To address the shortage of burial space, the management allows new pets to be buried above existing graves after at least 10 months have passed. Owners of the previously buried pets are informed of the arrangement beforehand.

“Hindi namin inaalis ‘yong mga buto, nababago lang ‘yong lapida. Kaya ‘pag hinanap ni owner ‘yong lapida na nilibing nila ng 10 months onwards, eh wala na po, hindi na po ‘yon makikita kasi ibang pet na yung nakalibing po,” Teote explained.

(We do not dig up the bones but we replace the tombstones. So when the owner looks for their pet’s tombstone 10 months or more after, it will not be there. Another tombstone will be in its place.)

Aside from the memorial garden, Teote, who counts herself as an animal advocate, also runs a pet shelter that cares for nearly 40 dogs and cats as of writing.

“Magiging boses tayo ng mga walang boses na mga alaga. Subukan nila, just give it a try,” she said.

(Let us be voices for our voiceless animals.) 

She also expressed hope that lawmakers would enact policies addressing the healthcare needs of pets.

“Kasi sa totoo lang napakamahal, ang hirap ‘pag nagkasakit mga alaga,” Teote said.

(Because it is really expensive and difficult when a pet gets sick.)