Team Furrever Friends Wants You! Leadership Northeast Invites Community to Help Clean up Pet Cemetery

Team Furrever Friends, a Leadership Northeast Community Impact Project Team, says their project is about more than restoration — it’s about honoring the lasting bond between families and their pets while bringing the community together around a shared purpose.

Team Furrever Friends is calling on the community to unite in support of “a meaningful revitalization effort” at the SPCA of Luzerne County’s historic animal cemetery.

“Some of these resting places date back 40 to 50 years and, over time, have been hidden by overgrowth and largely forgotten,” Team Furrever Friends said. “This effort gives us the opportunity to rediscover those stories, pay respect to the animals who meant so much to their families, and restore a peaceful space where people can once again visit, reflect, and remember. We welcome anyone who wants to make a difference and be part of something meaningful, with a lasting impact.”

Volunteers are invited to participate in upcoming cleanup and restoration days on April 18 and April 25, leading up to a public ribbon-cutting celebration on May 3.

Team Furrever Friends said the animal cemetery — which has served as a place of remembrance for beloved pets since 1960 — holds deep emotional and historical significance for local families.

Over time, the grounds have fallen into disrepair, and Team Furrever Friends is working to restore the space into a dignified, peaceful environment for reflection and remembrance.

Community members of all ages are encouraged to participate in the volunteer work days, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SPCA of Luzerne County Animal Cemetery, 524 East Main St., Plains Township.

Volunteers will assist with tasks such as clearing overgrowth, cleaning and restoring headstones, repairing benches and fencing, and enhancing the cemetery’s overall landscape and entrance. Participants are encouraged to bring a bucket and work gloves if possible, though supplies will also be provided.

The revitalization effort will culminate in a community-wide ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, May 3, at 1 p.m., where the public is invited to celebrate the transformation of the space and the collective efforts of volunteers. The event will include “Fill the Martz Bus,” to collect pet supply donations.

Team Furrever Friends is a community impact project of Leadership Northeast dedicated to restoring and beautifying the Luzerne County SPCA’s animal cemetery. The pack is comprised of local leaders: Rachel Brutosky (Sovereign Commercial Services); Will Grabinski (Mohegan Pennsylvania); Dominick Gulius (Assured Partners); Nicole Kapp (Wells Fargo); Erica Sadowski (Geisinger); Jake Savitsky (Martz Bus); and Greg Zukosky (Verdantas).

Leadership Northeast is a community leadership development organization created in 1981. Its mission is to develop informed and committed leaders from all segments of the community who will serve, strengthen, and improve Northeast Pennsylvania.

LNE runs six programs that range in age from high school students to executives at the height of their careers. Programs focus on leadership development, community awareness, and connection.