It all started with people leaving small dog statues in the garden of Humane Indiana’s Shelter and Adoption Center in Munster.
Once the organization crafted a wooden rainbow bridge, mourning pet owners began to use the spot to relinquish collars and leashes of the friends they had to say goodbye to.
On Friday afternoon, Humane Indiana celebrated the commemoration of the Rainbow Bridge Memorial Garden, which has grown since its beginnings in 2021.
– Original Credit: Photo courtesy of Humane Indiana
The garden’s latest addition is newly crafted engraved bricks memorializing both pets and people around the colorful bridge, which is arched between flower beds. There are currently 85 engraved bricks but there is potential to have up to 1,500 of them.
“Our bridge has more people names on bricks than animals,” Brian Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive Officer of Humane Indiana Shelter and Adoption Center, said. “We have found this to be especially true of local businesses, too. They are sponsoring bricks to show they support the mission, too.”
Almost 100 individuals gathered at the rainbow bridge for the ceremony, observing a moment of remembrance in honor of pets who have passed. Deacon Dan Ratliff from St. Maria Goretti of Dyer said a prayer, blessing the walkway and the animals in the shelter before the ribbon cutting.
“(When) 14-year-old Sophia Burns read the Rainbow Bridge poem aloud, there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd,” Fitzpatrick said.
– Original Credit: Photo courtesy of Humane Indiana
Humane Indiana does not receive federal or state funding, Fitzpatrick said, so sponsorships from the memorial bricks help fund their mission of animal adoption and care.
The garden area is open 24/7 and is located at the entrance to the shelter. With several openings for more memorial bricks, the organization is accepting more sponsorships online at humaneindiana.org. The shelter is located at 421 45th Street in Munster and staff can also can be reached by phone at 219-922-3811.
“We have visitors all the time who have lost a pet and just want to be around the animals or are now ready to adopt again,” Fitzpatrick said. “I want to focus on the love of a pet who was a family member and for people to feel good about visiting the shelter. We have the sad stories everyday like the ones you see on TV. I choose to focus on being kind, and the loving warmth from a pet and a new family.”
Anna Ortiz is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.