Tom and Leslie Allen, both animal lovers themselves, have buried or cremated thousands of pets since buying Family Pet Memorial Gardens, north of Spokane near Colbert, in 1980dogs, cats, horses, parakeets, rabbits, pigs, and even rats.


Yet, possibly the biggest display of pet affection theyve seen occurred about three years ago when the owners of two small dogs that had died brought their pastor, members of their congregation, and even musicians for a graveside service.


I thought it was very nice that they did that, says Leslie Allen.


Though such scenes are uncommon, the Allens say that their business is growing as more pet owners decide to have their pets buried or cremated by Family Pet Memorial rather than bury them in the backyard or have veterinarians dispose of them.


Tom Allen was selling bread and pastries when he began helping out at Family Pet Memorial in 1975. At the time, the business was owned by a friend of his, and Allen worked there part time for five years before being given the opportunity to buy the business when his friend moved out of state. Allen, whod long wanted to own his own small business, says he jumped at the chance, but continued working at both jobs for another 15 years.


Though the business might seem less than appealing to most people, the Allens say they find what they do to be rewarding, and their soft-spoken demeanor is reflected in the memorial gardens tranquil setting. A faded business sign along a rural road marks the entrance to the business, and a white fence surrounds a landscaped cemetery plot where bright red and yellow flowers mark snow-covered graves. Beni, the Allens energetic yellow Labrador, greets customers and visitors.


When the Allens bought the property, the cemetery, which is only about one acre in size now, was surrounded by a wheat field. Since then, theyve built their home on the site, planted trees and bushes that are colorful in the summer, and built an open-air, covered structure to protect the three tall crematoriums theyve bought and installed.


Tom Allen says about half of Family Pet Memorials clients who want burial services for their pet want to be present when their animals body is interred, and the other half ask the company to handle all of the arrangements, but dont get involved personally. Yet, pet burials, the service that launched the pet cemetery in 1967, are becoming a smaller part of the business.


In 1980, cremations were very rare, and Family Pet Memorial contracted out to have them done, says Allen. Now, that has changed 180 degrees, and about 90 percent of our clients request that their deceased pets be cremated.


Leslie Allen says cremations are less expensive than burials, and provide more options for pet owners who might want to spread a pets ashes in a select location or preserve the remains in an urn purchased from Family Pet Memorial.


Aware of the growing trend toward cremation as a preferred means of pet disposal, in 1995 Tom Allen and his wife invested $24,000 in a pet crematorium, and what had been a part-time job for him became full time overnight.


The business continued to grow, and in 2000 Leslie left her office job of 25 years to work full time at Family Pet Memorial with her husband. They now own three 17-foot-tall, propane-fueled crematoriums, says Tom Allen. They bought the last of the three in 2004 at a cost of $40,000, and the crematoriums run during daylight hours seven days a week, and an average of about 35 animals are cremated there weekly.


Weve only handled services for six horses in 27 years, says Allen, adding that the business doesnt have the capacity to cremate horses, and uses a backhoe to dig graves for them. For all other animals, Allen digs the graves by hand.


Prices for both burial and cremation services are dictated by the weight of a deceased animal.


Excluding horses, Family Pet Memorial offers the same package service for all burials it performs. It charges $395 for pets weighing less than 30 pounds and $445 for pets weighing more than that, Allen says.


That package service includes perpetual interment space, an 8by-16-inch carved granite marker, a sealed casket made of polystyrene, and maintenance of the cemetery grounds, where about 1,400 pets currently are interred, Allen says. He says only flat grave markers are allowed there to facilitate easier maintenance of the cemetery, and that he and his wife mow the grounds weekly during warm weather months.


In addition to the burial and cremation services it provides, Family Pet Memorial sells carved marble grave markers to pet owners who bury their pets elsewhere and want to mark the graves. Family Pet Memorial contracts with another company to make those markers and sells standard-sized markers for $120.


The Allens, who travel up to 45 miles to pick up a deceased animal at no additional charge, say that charges for cremation services range between $75 and $300, depending on the size of an animal.


Family Pet Memorial will return a pets ashes in a standard plastic urn unless the pet owner decides to pay an additional $30 to $120 to purchase a fancier urn from them. The business keeps an array of wooden, brass, bronze, pewter, and other types of urns in stock, Allen says.


Although burying and cremating pets might not be included on a list of glamorous professions, Tom and Leslie Allen say they like what they do and enjoy the opportunities they have to be sensitive to people whove lost a cherished pet.


Leslie Allen says, Pets are a big part of our lives. They truly share unconditional love.


Tom adds, This business has been a good experience for us. Weve built a lot of good relationships. People with pets are wonderful people.


Contact Rocky Wilson at (509) 344-1264 or via e-mail at rockyw@spokanejournal.com.