West Hollywood Pet Memorial Considered By City Council

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA — Grieving a pet's death is difficult, but the West Hollywood City Council is looking into building a pet memorial to ease the pain of losing a furry friend.

City Council will consider asking city staffers to look into creating a pet memorial at a Monday night meeting. Council members John Duran and Lauren Meister are bringing the proposal forward. The staff report notes that pets "provide an immeasurable value" to their owners, and bring companionship, emotional support, reduced stress levels, and help increase social activities

"We share an intense love and bond with animal companions, and anyone who has experienced the loss of a pet understands the sense of grief one feels. Research shows that people can grieve a pet's passing as much as, and sometimes even more than, the passing of a human friend or family member," the staff report said. "Still, some people may feel embarrassed or ashamed about the severity of the heartbreak they feel after the loss of a pet and may mourn the loss privately without sharing their grief with others."

The staff report includes examples of other cities that have established pet memorials, and suggests allowing community members to purchase memorial bricks or benches in West Hollywood dog parks. The price charged for the memorial bricks "offsets the costs, and any additional funding is donated to a nonprofit organization providing pet services." Other examples of pet memorials include bridges or pet statues, the report said.

The proposal would have staff at City Hall research options for a pet memorial, with a suggestion to place the memorial at either Hart Park or West Hollywood Park, which both have dog parks.

The City Council meeting is at the City Council Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. in West Hollywood. For more information on the proposed pet memorial, read the staff report.