Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial opens in Fort Myers to honor lost pets

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — A new memorial dedicated to honoring beloved pets will be unveiled at the Alliance for the Arts during Family Fun Day Saturday.

The Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial, created by Southwest Florida resident Gabrielle Bolen, provides a peaceful space for pet lovers to pause, reflect and remember the companions they have loved and lost. Inspired by the beloved Rainbow Bridge poem, the memorial offers a place where visitors can leave collars or tags in honor of their pets, creating a living testament to the enduring bond between people and animals.

SEE LSO: 100 years later, Moore Haven remembers victims of 'Great Miami Hurricane'

The memorial was brought to life through a community effort, with local businesses, professionals and individuals donating materials, services, landscaping and labor to help make Bolen's vision a reality. What began as one person's idea has become a lasting community memorial.

The grand opening ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 19 as part of the Alliance's Family Fun Day. The event is free and open to the public.

The memorial is located at the Alliance for the Arts at 10091 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers. Whether remembering a pet recently lost or honoring the memory of a companion who has been gone for years, the space offers comfort, connection and a place to celebrate the love that never fades.