
.
“There are no laws in the state of Texas that protect pet cemeteries,” said Theresa M. Brandon, founder of the Cedar Hill Pet Memorial Project, Inc., the non-profit created to save the property, renovate it, and maintain it in perpetuity. “This is prime property in an industrial zone, and it was a community asset that was in danger of being forgotten.”.
Brandon took notice of the property’s plight following the untimely loss of her own two-year-old dog and formed the non-profit to save the final resting place of over 5,500 beloved animals, which includes a few “famous” residents, such as performance and circus animals, as well as the late actress Jane Mansfield’s dog, Wendy. But it wasn’t enough to buy the property, Brandon needed a plan to maintain it long-term..
One of the group’s board of directors at the time, Nic Collins, developed the idea of the War Dog Monument as a way to generate awareness for the park, while at the same time honor the value that pets add to people’s lives..
“Nic was a former Air Force officer who flew missions in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Brandon said. “He often transported dogs and their military handlers and recognized the special bond between man and animal.”.
Brandon then created the “Join the Vision!” campaign to market the War Dog project and raise the necessary funds needed.