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Columbus, Ohio: Brown Pet Cemetery: Sgt. Fleabite Smith, et al

A burial ground for pets since at least the mid-1920s. Also the final resting place of several animal veterans, including Sgt "Fleabite" Smith.

Address:
5031 Sawyer Rd, Columbus, OH
Directions:
East side of Columbus, near the airport. I-270 exit 37. Drive south on Hamilton Rd/Hwy 317 about one mile. Turn right (west) on Sawyer Road. The cemetery is on the north side of the road, across the street from the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant.
Admission:
Free
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Visitor Tips and News About Brown Pet Cemetery: Sgt. Fleabite Smith, et al

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Brown Pet Cemetery: Sgt. Fleabite

Sgt. Fleabite's grave is located down the center walkway, on the right, under a clump of trees.

[Dwight, 09/17/2020]

Sgt. Fleabite Smith.

Brown Pet Cemetery

At first glance, Brown Pet Cemetery looks like a human cemetery, until you notice how small the gravestones are and then read the unusual names on them. I always thought that pet cemeteries were a phenomenon of the 1960s, but apparently they have been around a lot longer.

County records show that the pet cemetery filed for non-profit status on June 9, 1941, but the oldest grave I could find was dated 1925, so the cemetery has been here a very long time.

A lot of the older tombstones are toppled over, broken, or weather-worn, making them hard to read, but ones dated 1970 and later are mostly in good condition. Tombstones range from plain and simple to very elaborate with photos included. It's sad to see how many pets have died, but nice to know that at least the ones here were important enough to their owners to be buried here instead of in the backyard. There is even a grave for two ducks.

[signmanjoe, 03/30/2015]
Animal Veterans - Sgt. Fleabite Smith, et al

The Brown Pet Cemetery contains the graves of at least three animal Veterans: Muscles Reese, Cpl Pat Sheets, USMC, and Sgt Fleabite Smith, Army serial number K9-6668139.

[Brent Nimmo, 12/03/2006]

Heroes, we salute you.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Statue of the Flying HousewifeStatue of the Flying Housewife, Columbus, OH - < 1 mi.
Lustron House of the FutureLustron House of the Future, Whitehall, OH - 1 mi.
Car Wash Art Gallery and Plant LibraryCar Wash Art Gallery and Plant Library, Gahanna, OH - 2 mi.
In the region:
Tree Carving of World's Oldest Traffic Light, Ashville, OH - 20 mi.

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