The heart knows no difference between losing an animal companion and losing a human loved one. There are many resources for people suffering from pet loss bereavement. The more you share your grief with others the stronger you will become. Take charge of your grief, and your grief work will help you grow in ways you never thought possible. Reach out to the following websites, links, and articles. Keep sharing. Keep healing.
Please feel free to share Paws, Whiskers & Wags’ article on coping with pet bereavement, Grieving the Loss of a Pet. Find inspiration for how to honor the life of your pet with our article on Four Ways to Keep Your Pet’s Memory Alive.
Pet Loss Support Organizations
Hearts Connected
Hearts Connected is an organization that helps children cope, grieve, and heal. Their Child Life Professionals are certified, clinically trained, and use resources that are developmentally and psychologically appropriate for children from birth through young adulthood.
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
The website contains a wealth of information and resources designed to help those who are coping with pet loss, including scheduled Chat Rooms.
Animals In Our Hearts
This website provides information, comfort, and support for anyone coping with or anticipating the loss of a pet. It includes useful articles, recommended reading lists, inspirational poetry, and categorized links to dozens of other helpful resources.
RedRover
RedRover is an organization dedicated to “bring[ing] animals out of crisis and strengthen[ing] the bond between people and animals through emergency sheltering, disaster-relief services, financial assistance, and education.” They provide a directory of national and state resources for pet parents.
Virtual Pet Loss Support Group
Since 2011, Paws, Whiskers & Wags has been honored to provide our families with a complimentary support group to assist in the grieving process. Come and share your story, or just listen and receive support from others who understand what it means to lose a pet. We will explore the grief process and learn ways to move forward in a meaningful way that pays tribute to your beloved pet. Together we can get through the grieving process and begin the recovery process.
Offered twice monthly via Zoom to allow for better accessibility for all the families we serve in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, we ask that you RSVP by clicking on the “RSVP for Pet Loss Support Group” button at the top of this page, select the event date you wish to attend, and enter the information to reserve your space.
Support Group dates are the First Tuesday of the Month (7pm – 8:15pm) and the Third Tuesday of the Month (4pm – 5:15pm).
Pet Loss Support Resources
“How to Cope When You’re Grieving the Loss of a Pet: Why it’s painful, How long does grief last, and Next steps” by Rena Goldman, PsychCentral, 2021
“How to Cope with the Loss of a Pet: Coping Tips and Long Term Pet Grief” by Sherry Amatenstein, LCSW, Psycom, 2021
“Ten Tips on Coping with Pet Loss” by Moira Anderson Allen, M.Ed; Copyright 2023; Pet-Loss.net