Compassionate Crusaders Trust in Kolkata cares for companion animals in life and death, offering burial services for beloved goats, dogs, birds, and more.
When I visited Karuna Kunj sanctuary, run by Compassionate Crusaders Trust (CCT), the animal cemetery brought a tear to my eye. The many white stone memorial placards, placed cheek-by-jowl along the wall, exclaimed the love and appreciation felt by the families who had lost their companions.
A 3 January, 2007, Times of India article reports on this final resting place for furry friends.
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A Dignified Farewell for Kolkata Pets
By Sumati Yengkhom
The Times of India
KOLKATA: 'Let their souls rest in peace' — this is the sentiment that echoes through the haloed grounds of the cemetery as mortal remains are buried. But the bodies in question are furry little things.
More and more animal lovers in Kolkata are opting for a dignified final resting place for their pets, leading to a surge in pet cemeteries.
"Deepu, thanks, you taught us about love. May your soul rest in peace". "Snoopy rest in peace here. We will never forget you" — Ma, Baba, Buri and Buria . 'Jojo, 1990-2005, Amara Bhuli nei " — Ghosh family, Khiddirpore.
These are some of the plaques at the dog cemetery at Bibirhaat on the southern fringes of the city, which has a regular stream of mourners offering prayers and flowers at the grave of their beloved pets. While some are simple plaques, others are marble epitaphs.
"There are pet owners who come back to the cemetery to place wreaths on days like the pet's death anniversary. I have seen some weeping inconsolably at the burial site, like they would for their dear ones," said Santosh Mondal, in charge of Karuna Kunj pet burial ground run by Compassionate Crusader Trust (CCT).
CCT provides 24-hour burial service. From celebrities like Rudrapasad Sengupta to a housewife from Sealdah, pet lovers do not mind shelling out a premium as burial charge. The fee for such burial services is Rs 1,000. If a hearse is hired for carrying the dead to the graveyard, the charge increases to Rs 3,000. The hearse service was launched recently. The vehicles can accommodate two persons to accompany the dead pet.
If Tollywood actor Tapas Pal used the funeral service for his Spitz, the woman from Sealdah came there to bury a Patna goat, bidding a tearful adieu to her companion for years. Cats, pigeons and even cocks are jostling here for burial space. People flock in from as far as Barasat, Madhyamgram and Dum Dum to bury their pets.
"Due to the emotional attachment, people feel better when their pets are given a proper funeral. Such burial grounds are also very important from the hygienic point of view," said CCT founder Debasis Chakrabarty. There were nearly 250 funeral services in 2006.
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Photo: animal cemetery at Karuna Kunj