Pet Loss Support
Family, friends and society don't always understand how drastically the loss of a pet can affect us and can find it difficult to support the grief we often feel. We have compiled a few resources that might help you navigate this difficult time.
If you are:
- Feeling lost without your pet.
- Wondering what to tell your child about the loss of a pet.
- Finding that family and friends fail to understand or attempt to minimize your loss.
- Wondering if it is too soon to get another pet.
- Still grieving for a pet you had some time ago.
- Currently considering euthanasia for a pet.
Local In-Person and Virtual Support Groups
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement offers a variety of support options. They also offer a list of phone support groups across the country as a resource.
Optum Health
Optum Health offers a live chat support group Monday-Friday from 4-10 p.m. at 888-724-7240 for those in various types of crisis, including pet loss.
Paws into Grace
Paws into Grace, a local in-home pet euthanasia service provider, offers a list of local pet loss resources.
Pet Cloud
Looking for more regular virtual options and resources? Pet Cloud offers weekly virtual pet loss support groups, a membership support program, grief support and quality-of-life and euthanasia guides and many other resources.
Rancho Coastal Humane
Visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society's website to learn about its Pet Loss Support Group options in Encinitas.
Reverend Lisa Harris
Available for on-line grief/ trauma care for those in need of immediate counseling due to the loss of a beloved pet due to euthanasia, accidents, illness, missing pet, etc. Also available to officiate Pet funeral/homegoing, and graveside services.
Available by email [email protected] or by phone 619-581-6021.
Treat Them R+ght Animal Rescue
Join Treat Them R+ght Animal Rescue's Pet Loss Grief Group with local therapist Julia Schiffman, LCSW, CST, to share your story and find healing through discussions, interactions with rescue animals and community support. This service is offered monthly and tickets can be purchased at treatthemrght.com.
Websites
- West Coast Pet Memorial Loss and Grief Support Guides
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
- Grief Healing
- Neptune Society: Consoling your pet through the loss of a loved one
- Open to Hope
- Pet Loss Grief Support
- Pet Loss Support Page
- The Recovery Village: Grief and Addiction Resources
- American Humane Association - Pet Loss
- A Guide to Managing Grief for Students
Books and Resources for Adults
- Grief Pets: helping people in times of grief over the loss of a beloved pet.
- Saying Good-bye to the Pet You Love, Lorri Greene, PhD and Jacquelyn Landis, New Harbinger Publications, 2002.
- Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die, Jon Katz, Villard, 2011.
- Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet, Moira Anderson, Peregrine Press, 1994.
- The Human-Animal Bond and Grief, Laurel Lagoni, Carolyn Butler and Suzanne Hetts, W.B. Saunders and Company, 1994.
- Preparing for the Loss of Your Pet, Myrna Milani, DVM, Prima Publishing, 1988.
- Oh Where Has My Pet Gone?: A Pet Loss Memory Book, Ages 3-103, Sally Sibbitt, B. Libby Press, 1991.
- The Loss of a Pet, Wallace Sife, Howell Books, 1998.
- Golden Angels: Lessons in Love and Loss from Buddy Girl and Daisy May, Stephanie Weaver, Braver Endeavor Publishing, 2013.
- Love Crosses Over, Elizabeth Allen, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013.
- Bill at the Rainbow Bridge, Dan Carrison
- Precious Companion, Laynee Gilbert
- Pet Loss Meditations, Lorise Weil
- Coping with the Loss of a Pet, Christine M. Lemieux
- When a Family Pet Dies, JoAnn Tuzeo Jarolmen
- The Grief Recovery Handbook, Russell Friedman et al
- Good-bye My Friend, Mary and Herb Montgomery
- Not Forgotten, Alexandra Day
- Rainbow and Bridges, Allen and Linda Anderson
Books and Resources for Children
- RedRover provides a list of child-appropriate pet loss books.
- Grief Pets: helping people in times of grief over the loss of a beloved pet.
- I Love You As Much And More Than This, RM Rozman, 2022.
- When a Pet Dies, Fred Rogers, 1998.
- Dog Heaven, Cynthia Rylant, 1995.
- Cat Heaven, Cynthia Rylant, 1997.
- You're Still with Me, Written by Lisa M. Algee. Illustrated by E.F. Tongson
- Oh Where Has My Pet Gone?: A Pet Loss Memory Book, Ages 3-103, Sally Sibbitt, B. Libby Press, 1991.
- The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, Judith Viorst, Athenum, 1971.
- Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White, Harper Junior, 1952.
- Remembering My Pet: A Kid’s Own Spiritual Workbook for When a Pet Dies, Nechama Liss-Levinson, PhD and Rev. Molly Phinney Baskett, SkyLight Paths Publishing, 2007.
- When Your Pet Dies, Victoria Ryan
- Kitty Heaven's in the Sky, Lynn Barbarite
- Doggy Heaven's in the Sky, Lynn Barbarite
- Just for Kids in Grief, Yvonne Williams
- More than a Cat: A Celebration of the Life of... workbook
- More than a Dog: A Celebration of the Life of... workbook
- The Final Goodbye, Terri Zumstein
These lists and links are provided as a service to the community and do not necessarily include all pet loss resources. San Diego Humane Society is not affiliated with these organizations and does not take responsibility for the content therein.
