‘Our Gang Petey’ Buried At Pet Cemetery In Atlantic City Area

You may have lived in the Atlantic City, New Jersey area for a lifetime and never knew that there has been a quaint cemetery for more than 100 years.

It is called The Clara Glen Pet Cemetery and it is located in Linwood, New Jersey on Shore Road.

It was founded in 1918 by, Clara and Glen White, who are said to have “loved their pets almost as much as they loved each other,” according to reporting by http://atlasobscura.com

Like many ideas throughout history … they are born out of necessity.

The White’s had 45 dogs, dozens of cats and more than 300 rabbits.

When they were unable to find a place to bury their pets … they created their own cemetery in their backyard.

Hence, The Clara Glen Pet Cemetery was born.

It didn’t take long and The White’s family members and friends were soon burying their pets at The Clara Glen Pet Cemetery.

The Clara Glen Pet Cemetery is considered to be one of the oldest in America.

It’s well hidden in a residential neighborhood.

According to http://atlasobscura.com,

The couple offered other services as well. They built coffins for the deceased animals. They also took pictures of the dead animals, some of which were put atop their own gravestones. A collection of these photos is now in the possession of the Linwood Historical Society.

Celebrity animals and animals of celebrities are also interred at The Clara Glen Pet Cemetery.

Here’s a short list:

Irving Berlin, Eddie Cantor and Billie Burke all have pets buried at The Clara Glen Pet Cemetery.

And, Petey from "The Little Rascals” and Rex the Wonder Dog are buried at The Clara Glen Pet Cemetery.

Rex The Wonder Dog was a major attraction at Steel Pier during the 1930’s & 1940’s, when he performed daring water skiing acts.

Another famous dog performer, Paradiddle Ben is also buried here.

Alex and Agnes Miller purchased the cemetery in 1943 and continued to offer numerous and elaborate mortuary services, including:

• embalming
• grooming
• elaborate caskets

Since the 1980’s, the only burials allowed at The Clara Glen Pet Cemetery are K-9 dogs from The Atlantic City, New Jersey Police Department.

The cemetery is currently maintained by the Linwood Historical Society.

I’ve been told that unfortunately, many of the headstones have been damaged by vandalism.

There are approximately 3,800 pets buried at The Clara Glen Pet Cemetery.

SOURCES: http://atlasobscura.com & Joe Kelly.