If you or someone you’re concerned about is brought so low by the loss of a pet that they are unable to do the tasks of daily living or are having thoughts of self-harm, seek professional help. In an emergency, call 911 for local emergency service or The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 800-273-8255 (TALK).
PET-LOSS SUPPORT RESOURCES
The web has myriad resources to help you deal with the grief of losing your pet — so many, in fact, that the sheer number can leave you thinking, “I can’t do this now.”
The organizations, hotlines, books and web resources listed here can provide compassionate grief support, but they are not a substitute for professional mental health counseling.
Many programs listed on other websites have been discontinued since the publication of their lists. These web links and phone numbers are accurate as of 7.21.2021. Phone numbers and email and web addresses change. If the links and phone numbers provided here don’t work, google the book or organizations via your search engine’s search bar. Use the CONTACT form to let me know the information needs to be updated or removed.
Pet Loss Grief Support Hot Lines, Helplines and Groups – RainbowBridge.com (rainbowsbridge.com)
Argus Institute for Families and Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital — 970-297-1242, Support and Pet Loss Resources – Argus Institute (colostate.edu)
Chicago Veterinary Medical Association Pet Loss Support – Chicago VMA, Pet Loss Support Hotline: 630-325-1600
Lap of Love Pet Loss and Bereavement Hotline — 855-352-5683
The following schools of veterinary medicine have helplines and/or support groups:
Tufts University Pet Loss Support Hotline, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine 508-839-7966
Cornell University Pet Loss Support Line — 607-253-3932, Pet Loss Support Hotline | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Support Hotline — Pet Loss Support Group | College of Veterinary Medicine at MSU
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Support — 540-231-8038 NRV Animal Loss Support Group via Zoom | Blogs at VA-MD Vet Med | Virginia Tech (vt.edu)
University of Tennessee, Institute of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Social Work Helpline: 865-755-8839, M-F, 10am – 5pm, Pet Loss Support Group – Veterinary Social Work (utk.edu), Grief and Bereavement – Veterinary Social Work (utk.edu)
Lists that consolidate resources
List of resources by state — Pet Loss Resources – RedRover
University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine — UT_VSW_GriefPacket_Jan-June_2021.pdf (utk.edu)
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement — Support – APLB
BOOKS FOR ADULTS
Goodbye, Friend by Gary Kowlaski
Journey Through Pet Loss – Audiobook by Deborah Antinori
Saying Good-Bye to the Pet You Love: A Complete Resource to Help You Heal by Lorri A. Greene, Ph.D.
When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering, and Healing by Alan Wolfelt
Grieving the Death of a Pet by Betty Carmack
Pet Loss: A Spiritual Guide by Julia Harris
Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates by Gary Kurz
When Only the Love Remains by Emily Margaret Stuparyk
Three Cats, Two Dogs: One Journey Through Multiple Pet Loss by David Congalton
The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice from Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Support Groups by Dolan-Del Vecchio and Saxton-Lopez
A 30 Day Guide to Healing from the Loss of Your Pet by G.J. Ross
The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss by Friedman, James & James
Animals and the Afterlife: True Stories of Our Best Friends’ Journey Beyond Death by Kim Sheridan Ph.D.
The Grief Recovery Method by the Grief Recovery Institute Pet Loss Landing Page – The Grief Recovery Method
Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet by Moira Anderson Allen
The Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping with the Grieving Process When a Pet Dies by Wallace Sife, Ph.D.
Most of the books can be purchased on Amazon.
All the named animals pictured in this blog were someone’s treasured pet. They may have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, but their absence makes them no less beloved.
I may not know what tomorrow will bring, but today I have you.