Pet crematorium planned in Pharr with $600K investment

A new pet aftercare center that includes cremation services is planned in Pharr as part of a $600,000 private investment project, according to a state construction filing.

The project, registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, calls for the construction of a 4,800-square-foot facility at 921 W. Sharm Drive.

The facility is listed as Tonalli Pet and classified in the filing as a pet crematorium.

Construction is scheduled to begin July 1 and be completed by Jan. 1, 2027, according to the filing.

While details about the operation have not been publicly released, social media posts promoting the concept describe Tonalli Pet as a business focused on pet celebrations and compassionate aftercare services, suggesting the facility could offer a broader range of memorial services beyond cremation.

The project is privately funded and will be built on private land for private use. The filing lists Espi Group LLC of Mission as the property owner.

The name “Tonalli” may carry cultural significance. In the Nahuatl language, tonalli refers to a person’s spirit, soul or life force, though it was not immediately clear whether that meaning influenced the company’s branding.

Juan Martinez is listed as the registered accessibility specialist for the project.

Additional details about the services planned for the facility were not immediately available.