Jan 25, 2008 5:54 pm US/Central
Mansfield Pet Cemetery Faces Financial Trouble
MANSFIELD (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
For thousands of people, the Bluebonnet Pet Cemetery has been a place to remember loyal friends. About 15,000 pets are buried at the special cemetery in Mansfield. The area has been around since the 1960s, but now this final resting place for animals could be in jeopardy because the operators have no money.
"We love our little animals," said Terry Brown. She buried 10 of her dogs and cats at the cemetery. "I just like the idea of being able to have a place that our loved ones can rest forever," she said.
Brown plans to bury more animals there, so they can all be together. But that plan may fail, as the couple who leases and operates the cemetery faces financial trouble because of personal health problems.
"It's just the bills and everything, insurance and medical bills, has caused us to be this way," said cemetery owner David Stafford.
Stafford is now three months behind on payments, and worries that the land owners will sell the 10 acres if he cannot find the money. "This will be sold as real estate housing developments," he said.
"We would all be devestated," said Brown, "because we have come to the conclusion that they will be there throughout our lives."
"We think that animals should be respected with dignity and respect just like human beings," Stafford said. "They give unconditional love."
The owners are hoping that someone will help out by giving donations or taking over cemetery operations.
Click here if you would like to contact David Stafford.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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