Excellent Information On Pet Cemeteries
Reader Edward C Martin, III, recently responded to my post about possible problems with pet cemeteries.
He wrote:
For those who want to ensure that their pets remains will always be at the pet cemetery the pet owner should do the following prior to bringing their pet to the pet cemetery:
1. Use a pet cemetery that owns the land (rather than leases it);
2. Ensure that the land is deed restricted so that it can only be used for pet burials and no other purpose (i.e., it can't be sold to a real estate developer);
3. Use a well-established pet cemetery that is a member of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries;
4. Ensure that the pet cemetery has restricted trust funds earmarked for permanent maintenance and that the amount in those trust funds are sufficient;
5. Purchase perpetual maintenance for your plot (as opposed to annual maintenance) to ensure that your title/interest in the grave will never be lost should the annual bills not be paid due to your own death, incapacity, etc
6. Determine if the pet cemetery is regulated by state law (some states regulate pet cemeteries, some don't)
7. Do your own research on the pet cemetery you intend to use. Visit the grounds. Speak to the owners. Ask questions. Read their contracts. Educate yourself so that this scenario does not happen to you.
Great advice for those of you considering this alternative for your pets.
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