Complete funeral and burial services for your beloved pets Home Tour the Grounds Memorial Trees Memorial Stones Memorial Services Other Services "Rainbow Bridge" Poem Testimonials Bookmark this site! Send to a Friend About Us Map & Directions Washington Post Article: "Requiem for Rover" Call / Contact Us E-Mail Us Links		Nestled among the rolling hills of Maryland, bordered by the railroad commuter tracks from Washington DC to Harper’s Ferry, WVA, and located on Peach Tree Road at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain in Montgomery County, there is a beautiful garden for beloved pets, which have crossed over the “Rainbow Bridge.” The cemetery, known as Sugarloaf Pet Gardens, contains 30,000 lots shaded by beautiful oak, maple, redbud, and dogwood trees, which attract flocks of songbirds during the warmer months. Overhead scores of migrating geese fly during the spring and fall. Deer can be seen early in the morning dew, grazing on fields of green grass. A long row of mature evergreens shield the gardens from the commuter train tracks. Until recently, the Concord could be seen twice a day flying to and from Dulles International Airport. This 5-acre site is part of the 46-acre historic farm owned by Clifford Neal, a community elder, who has spent the last 35 years sharing his farm with family, friends in the area, and now grieving pet owners. Neal recently received an award from the local Lions Club for his service to the community. Sugarloaf Pet Gardens was an idea sparked by the son of Clifford Neal more than 20 years ago and recorded under the ownership of a non-profit corporation. At the time, there was only one other pet cemetery in Montgomery County, established in 1917 and filled with 50,000 pets. The Sugarloaf cemetery operates under the guidance of Neal and the Perpetual Care Trust, which insures the maintenance of the site forever. Pets are buried according to standards required by Montgomery County authorities and in indestructible, high-impact, tightly-sealed heavy plastic caskets suggested by the International Association of Pet Cemeteries, of which Sugarloaf Pet Gardens is a member. Often, owners of pets buried at Sugarloaf Pet Gardens visit during daylight hours for reflection in a peaceful setting. They come from every community and the different states surrounding the Washington Metropolitan area. One owner traveled as far away as Blacksburg, VA to bury her hamsters in a small casket lined with pink satin. On a recent beautiful fall day, a woman turned into the cemetery, parked, and quietly lifted out a lawn chair. She walked to a familiar site with its granite marker, sat down, looked over the rolling green hills to the faraway pond, sighed, and took out a book. Her remembered companion lay silent at her feet beneath the carefully manicured grass and beautiful shade trees. On the farm premises, a lovely blue carriage house serves as the cemetery offices and viewing rooms. Pets are exquisitely groomed and prepared for final goodbyes. At the gravesite, Neal conducts a brief memorial service for each one including the reading of the “Rainbow Bridge” and other words of comfort to those who have lost a friend, which gave so much unconditional love and devotion to the family.      Member of the      International Association of Pet      Cemeteries Since 1985 We hope you'll take a moment to read this article about us that appeared in the WASHINGTON POST on 8/7/2005, "Requiem for Rover" - click the POST link at right.
		At Sugarloaf Pet Gardens we believe that every pet deserves to be laid to rest with dignity and respect. They cannot make arrangements for themselves, but must depend on their owners to make these decisions. Nestled in the heart of Maryland near the foot of scenic Sugarloaf Mountain, Sugarloaf Pet Gardens offers a tranquil setting for your pet's final rest. Our chapel offers a comforting atmosphere for your family to meet, and we provide memorial services to pay tribute to your special friend.