Idea of a pet cemetery is being considered

Gore may get its own pet cemetery if an idea floated by Gore District councillor Steve Dixon finds favour among his fellow councillors.

The idea to develop a pet cemetery was put forward by Cr Dixon during discussion about the parks and reserves working party summary report at Gore District Council's meeting on Tuesday night.

There were a lot of people who thought of their pets as part of the family and since there was no designated burial site for animals there was ‘‘definitely an opening for a pet cemetery'', Cr Dixon said.

Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks said at the meeting the idea had merit.

Council parks and reserves manager Ian Soper said after the meeting he would investigate the idea of setting up a pet cemetery and report back to the council with his findings.

Mr Soper had contacted other local bodies in an effort to find out if other pet cemeteries were operated by councils and how they were run.

He had found one council in the North Island that had established a pet cemetery, but was awaiting more information.

A pet cemetery could be located in an area of Banner Park adjacent to Crewe St and the newly approved community garden, Mr Soper said.