The loss of a pet affects many people in a variety of way, and often people who are grieving may not know where to turn for advice and support.
There are, however, a number of resources specifically designed to help you cope with your loss.
Compassion Understood
We support Compassion Understood both as a resource provider for clear, reliable information about our pet's end-of-life and as an essential training partner for the veterinary industry. For pet parents they aim to:
- Guide you in planning for this difficult time
- Help you make the right decisions
- Provide clear and accessible information
- Cope with the passing of your beloved pet
The site content has been written by veterinary professionals and pet loss experts, with contributions from many working in the field of pet loss support.
https://www.compassionunderstood.com
The Blue Cross
It can sometimes help to share your feelings with someone who knows from personal experience how distressing the loss of a pet can be, and who will listen with compassion and without judgement.
The Blue Cross charity runs a Pet Bereavement Support Service which can be contacted on 0800 096 6606 (UK only including Northern Ireland). The support line is open from 8.30am - 8.30pm every day.
All calls are free and confidential from a UK landline. If calling from a mobile phone, some phone networks may charge. Alternatively, you can also email the Pet Bereavement Support Service at pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk.
Further support is available on the Blue Cross PBSS site.
Cats Protection’s grief support service – Paws to Listen
If you’re experiencing pet-related grief you can call our free and confidential phone line to talk to one of our volunteer listeners.
The team of trained volunteers offer emotional and practical support to owners experiencing the loss of a cat. While they are unable to offer counselling, the team provides a supportive ear to callers struggling to cope with pet-related grief as well as providing information about topics such as euthanasia, burial and cremation.
The line is open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, on Freephone 0800 024 94 94.
Further information about Cats Protection’s grief and loss support work can be found on the national website - www.cats.org.uk/grief.
Forums
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, based in the US, along with The Ralph Site which is based in the UK, both run Pet Loss Forums where you can connect with other pet owners who are experiencing similar emotions to you.
Note that we haven’t ‘vetted’ any of these, and we are not directly endorsing their services. It’s best to carry out further research and if possible speak to them and ask for references before you enter into any counselling agreement.
