You are not alone!
There are many, many resources for people suffering from pet loss bereavement. The lists below are just a start. Know that you are not alone, and many people care about you! We know what it is like, since many of us have been where you are now. Please explore the links below for support groups, chaplain contacts, crisis centers, and articles to reassure you during your time of pain. Or, you can post your story on our blog, or on any guest book on any page of this site. We want to hear what you are going through, and WE CARE ABOUT HOW YOU ARE FEELING.
Keep a few things in mind:
1. The heart knows no difference between losing an animal companion and losing a human companion. You hurt deeply because you love deeply. Do not be ashamed or embarrassed about the depth of your grief. It is very normal (and it says a lot about your willingness to love other sentient beings).
2. Some people do not understand your pain unless they have been through grief over an animal friend themselves. Forgive them, for they do not know. But, there are many more of us who do have an idea of what you are going through! Let insensitive comments roll off your back, and contact someone who cares. You will find them using the links below.
3. Know that there is no magic amount of time for getting over your grief. Some people take hours or days, and some take weeks, months or years. Keep finding support for your grief, keeping working through it, and keep helping others. The more you deal with it in healthy ways, the stronger you will become. Take charge of your grief, and your grief work will help you to grow in ways you never thought possible. Keep sharing, keep growing, keep healing... but most of all, keep loving!
4. Learn how to help others through their grief. As a side benefit, helping others will help you, too. There are tons of articles on how to do this, listed below.
To contact an independent interfaith Animal Chaplain in your area, click here.
For tips on how to help children with pet loss grief, click here.
For a list of books that might help, click here.
To write in our blog, click here.
Free Sources of Support
Click to choose.
Phone Numbers
Websites
Pamphlets and Articles
Pet Loss and Grief Counseling Phone Numbers
Staffed by the University of California-Davis veterinary students, Weekdays 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. PT ( 530) 752-4200
Staffed by the University of Florida veterinary students, Weekdays 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET, ( 352 ) 392-4700 then 1 and 4080
Staffed by the Michigan State University veterinary students, Tuesday - Thursday 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.ET, ( 517 ) 432-2696
Staffed by the University of California-Davis veterinary students, Weekdays 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. PT, ( 916 ) 752-4200
Staffed by the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association veterinarians and trained volunteers; leave a voice mail message (long distance calls returned collect). Calls returned 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. CT ( 630 ) 603-3994
IAMS Pet Loss Support Resource Center ( 888 ) 332-7738, Staffed by the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET, ( 540 ) 231-8038
Staffed by the Ohio State University veterinary students Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. ET, ( 614 ) 292-1823
Staffed by Tufts University veterinary students Tuesday & Thursday, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET, (508) 839-7966
Staffed by the Iowa State University veterinary students, Weekdays 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. CT, (888 ) 478-7574
Staffed by the Cornell University veterinary students, Tuesday - Thursday 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET, ( 607 ) 253-3932
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 24 hours Stephanie LaFarge Ph.D., ( 800 ) 946-4646 pin # 140-7211 and leave your number.
University of Illinois veterinary students. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7-9 pm Central Time; www.cvm.uiuc.edu/CARE/ (217)244-2273 or toll-free (877)394-2273(CARE)
Argus Institute at Colorado State University, (970) 491-4143,www.argusinstitute.colostate.edu/grief.htm
Pet Loss Hotline, Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine www.vetmed.wsu.edu/plhl/index.htm; staffed during the semester on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 6:30 - 9:00 PM, and Saturday 1:00-3:00 PM Pacific Time. (509) 335-5704
Companion Animal Association of Arizona, 602-995-5885 Staffed by volunteers who have lost a pet and have been trained in bereavement support. All calls are returned collect. (See website resources for more information). www.caaainc.org
Bereavement Web Sites
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement - Probably the best site out there, with loads of resources. www.aplb.org/
PetsEverlasting - Petseverlasting.com is a pet loss community where you can always find an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on. www.petseverlasting.com
Pet Loss Support Page www.pet-loss.net
Pet Loss Bereavement Centre of Canada www.petlosssupport.ca/
Animals In Our Hearts - www.AnimalsInOurHearts.com
Companion Animal Memorial Fund - The Companion Animal Memorial Fund at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine was established to help veterinarians take an active role in expressing compassion by memorializing clients' pets and at the same time contributing to research that benefits other companion animals. www.cvm.uiuc.edu/advancement/camf.html
Chance's Spot - Chance's Spot is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals who have suffered the loss of a dearly loved pet. At Chance's Spot, we believe that pets are an important and engaging member of the family whose loss results in the same grieving process as would losing anyone close to us. We understand that the feelings generated when a pet dies are real and deserve the same respect as if it where any other family member. Our mission is to advance this notion to the general public and to support an increase in the respect and reverence that is given to the topic of pet loss. www.chancesspot.org
Grief Healing - Information, comfort and support for anyone coping with or anticipating the loss of a loved one, whether that is a person or a cherished animal companion. Includes useful articles on various aspects of loss (including pet loss), recommended book lists, inspirational writings and poetry, and categorized links to dozens of other helpful resources. Hosted by Marty Tousley, APRN, BC, FT, certified hospice bereavement counselor and pet loss counselor. www.griefhealing.com
Grief Healing Discussion Groups - Safe, anonymous, online place where the bereaved can share their stories of loss and ask questions to learn more about the normal grieving process. Includes a forum for Loss of a Pet. Sponsored by Hospice of the Valley and moderated by certified hospice bereavement counselors. www.hovforum.ipbhost.com
Human Animal Bond Trust www.humananimalbondtrust.org/
Care 2 - Animal memorial group on Care2.com. Connect with other grieving people who have lost pets. www.care2.com/c2c/group/Animal_Memorial
Remembering Your Pet - Here you can create an online pet memorial page for your sadly missed animal, where you can write about your pet, share happy memories or submit a poem describing what they meant to you. www.bluecross.org.uk/web/site/Memorial/MemorialIntro.asp
Grief and Loss Help - Find assistance and resources for facing life's challenges and losses, including pet loss. www.griefandlosshelp.com/
Thank-you to the the Denver Dumb Friends League for much of the following information. Please support them generously!
Denver Dumb Friends League/Humane Society of Colorado, Quebec Street shelter, 2080 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO 80231, (303) 751-5772, www.ddfl.org, The Buddy Center™, 4556 Castleton Court, Castle Rock, CO 80109, (303) 751-5772 Hours Map
(These links are to pamphlets and articles on other sites. Each article cites a source. Please support the author's businesses when you can.)
On-line Article: Helping An Older Person With Pet Loss, by Martha Tousley, RN
On-line Article: Making the Big Decision to Euthanize, by Gary Kurz
Free download: Grief and Loss: When A Cherished Pet Dies, from New York-Presbyterian Hospital
On-line Article: Getting Through Grief. It Is Hard To Say Good-bye. It Is Also Crucial. by By Julie Austin, Psy.D. , APLB
On-line Article: Euthanasia And Saying Good-bye, Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital
On-line Article: Facts About Euthanasia, Dr. Laura Eirmann, Cornell University
On-line Article: Loss Of An Animal Companion, by Downbound.com
On-line Article: Dealing With The Loss Of A Pet, by Healthy Pet.com, American Animal Hospital Association
On-line Article: The Disparaged Grief: Pet Loss and 20 Years of "Fighting the Good Fight", by Larry Lachman, PhD
Free download: Pamphlet - Ten Tips for Coping With The Loss of Your Pet, by Moira Anderson Allen, M.Ed.
Free download: Booklet - Preparing For Your Pets Euthanasia, from ChancesSpot.org
Free download: Booklet - Handling Your Grief, from the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center
Free download: Booklet - Facing The Loss Of Your Companion Animal, from the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center
On-line article: Article - Ten Tips for Handling Your Grief , on the Pet Loss Support Page
On-line article: Myths About Pet Loss Grief Recovery, The American Chronicle
Free download: Pamphlet - Pet Grief Support Service Brochure from the Companion Animal Organization of Arizona
Free download: Flier - Helping Others With Their Pet Grief from ChancesSpot.org
Free download: Booklet - Pet Loss and Grief from ChancesSpot.org
Free download: Flier - Your Surviving Pet Loss and Grief from ChancesSpot.org
Free download: Booklet - Losing A Best Friend from the San Francisco SPCA
On-line article: Understanding Your Feelings of Loss When Your Animal Dies by AVMA
On-line article: Support For Children and Pet Loss at RainbowsBridge.com
On-line article: Grieving The Loss Of A Pet by ExploreFaith.org
On-line article: Companion Animal Loss and Pet Owner Grief by Mark A. Rosenberg, V.M.D.
On-line article: Pet Loss from Pet Vets.com
Free download: Pet Loss And Grief- How Some Shelters Are Providing Comfort At The End by Cathy M. Rosenthal at American Humane
On-line article: Coping With The Death Of Your Pet, the Humane Society of the United States
On-line article: Grief and Pet Loss by Margaret Muns, CVM
On-line article: Grief & the Loss of a Pet by Holly Nash, DVM, MS
Free download: Pet Loss Support, from the ASPCA
On-line Article: Finding Support in a Pet Loss Group by Martha M. Tousley
On-line Article: Death of a Family Pet: Losing A Family Friend by Regal Beagle
On-line Article: Pet Loss Support For Your Rabbit by Marinell Harriman
On-line Article: The Aftermath - Dealing With The Grieving Process, by Susan I. Finkelstein, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
On-line Article: Grieving the Loss of Your Pet by the Denver Dumb Friends League
On-line Article: The Experience of Pet Loss by the University of Florida Veterinary Medicine Center
Free download: Fact Sheet - The Loss of an Animal Companion, by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
On-line Article: Grieving the Loss of a Pet - Understanding and coping with the grief of losing a pet, HelpGuide.org
On-line Article: Death Of A Pet Can Be A Lonely Loss, the University at Buffalo Reporter
On-line Article: Saying Good-Bye to Spot - Pet Loss Bereavement Support, Social Work Today
On-line Article: Pet Loss: Gone But Not Forgotten, Care-Pets Animal Hospital
On-line Article: Coping With Animal Companion Loss Across the Continuum, the Forum
On-line Article: There's help for owners who suffer loss of a pet, "Critter Corner" by CAROLYN STEIGMAN
On-line Article: Death In The Family: Coping With The Loss Of Your Pet, Dorothy Hoffmans's Creature Feature Library
On-line Article: Losing A Loved One, Your Pet, by: Jason G. LakeFrom Resource: http://www.interfaithofficiants.com/
-- Edited by Moderator Peg on Sunday 19th of April 2009 08:57:53 PM-- Edited by Moderator Peg on Sunday 19th of April 2009 09:02:37 PM-- Edited by Moderator Peg on Sunday 19th of April 2009 09:27:52 PM-- Edited by Moderator Peg on Sunday 19th of April 2009 09:29:44 PM
