More Help: Links and
Hotlines
| BEREAVEMENT STUDY:
The Continuing Impact of a Pet's Death
Researchers from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology are conducting a study to
learn about the impact of losing a pet. The investigators are Wendy Packman, JD,
PhD, Nigel Field, PhD., and Rama Ronen, PhD. In this work, the researchers are
collaborating with Dr. Betty Carmack, Professor Emerita, University of San Francisco
School of Nursing. They are requesting participation from adults (18 years and
older) who have lost a pet within the last 12 months. It is hoped that the
information learned will assist in providing comprehensive care for those grieving
the death of a beloved animal companion.
If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete questionnaires about how
you are adjusting and coping with the loss of your pet. The questions are designed
to help us better understand your experiences following the death of your pet. You
have the option of completing the questionnaires online or we will mail copies of
the questionnaires to you. Your individual responses will be kept completely
confidential. Participation in this study will take approximately 1 hour.
If you are interested in participating in this study you can
Click Here, send an email to:
petlossstudy@gmail.com, or call 650- 421- 4870 and leave us a message. Thank you.
|
| VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GRIEF STUDY.
Help further our understanding of relationships between people and their pets. Has your cat or dog died within the last year? Have you NOT experienced the death a close person within the last two years? Are you at least 18 years of age?
A Ph.D. candidate at the California School of Professional Psychology is seeking
volunteers to answer brief research questionnaires about their experience with the
death of an animal companion.
Participation is voluntary and confidential. You may complete questionnaires online
by visiting http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Psxx8HfGFtogOJO0Xf01Yw_3d_3d
If you have any questions regarding this study, feel free to contact Loren King,
M.A. at animal.loss@gmail.com. |
Translations · Pets in
Heaven · Tribute Sites · Discussion Groups · Condolence
Cards · General Information · Hotlines
Translations of Materials on This
Site
- Do Pets Go to Heaven? - translated to French
- http://www.michelemorgan.ca/page116-special.htm
- Soutien lors de la perte de nos petit compagnons
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/soutienperteanimaldomestique/
- French pet loss site; includes French translation of "Ten Tips
on the Loss of Your Pet."
- Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet is also
available in Japanese.
- NOTE: If you would like to provide a translation of materials
on this site, please contact Moira Allen.
Pets in Heaven
- All Creatures Do Go to Heaven... Especially Pets
- http://www.all-creatures.org/ach
- The presentation on this site can be a bit off-putting -- lots
of bold, different size fonts, etc. -- but I found the verses and
translation details very interesting and worth exploring.
- Animals in Heaven: Proof that Animals Go to Heaven
- http://www.ourchurch.com/member/w/w_lasalle/
- A number of useful scripture references on the topic.
- Creatures in Heaven
- http://www.creatures.com/
- A site that offers books, videos and music as well as
information on scripture and whether pets go to heaven.
- Do Animals Go to Heaven?
- http://www.eternalanimals.com
- A number of loss-related resources, plus health tips and other
info, and a book and articles dealing with the "pets in heaven"
issue.
- Scripture and Animals
- http://dogshavesouls.com/scripture.html
- Do pets go to heaven? Some comforting Bible verses.
- Will Mr. Pooper Go to Heaven?
- http://www.annerobertson.com/MrPooper.pdf
- Short PDF file discussing scriptures regarding pets;
comforting.
Tribute Sites
- Angel Cats
- http://angelcats.faithweb.com
- Cat memorial site in the UK. (Lots of popups,
unfortunately.)
- Dogheaven
- http://www.dogheaven.com
- A memorial/tribute site. This site charges a fee for posting
memorials (portions go to charity), but also offers a number of
useful (free) resources.
- Heaven's Playground Pet Memorial
- http://www.forpetloversonly.com
- A site where pet owners can post memorials and tributes; plus
a discussion forum, poetry, sympathy e-cards, and links.
- ILovedMyPet.com
- http://www.ILovedMyPet.com/
- Offers a free online memorial listing for three months, and
charges a small fee for longer (or large) listings. All profits go
to humane associations.
- In Memory of Pets
- http://www.in-memory-of-pets.com/tributes.php
- Light a Candle
- http://www.dotsphinx.com/lightacandle/
- An interesting site where you can light a "virtual candle" in
memory of your pet.
- Pet Memorial Website
- http://www.mypet-memorial.net
- A place to post free memorials, photos, tributes, stories,
etc.
- Pets4Ever
- http://pets4ever.moonfruit.com
- A free site where you can post photos and stories about your
pet.
- Pet Reflections
- http://petreflections.net/
- A virtual "quilt" where you can post a "patch" memorializing
your pet.
- PetsEverlasting.com
-
- http://petseverlasting.com/index.htm
- Offers a variety of resources, including a tribute section,
chats and a forum, as well as links to a variety of products.
Discussion Groups
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement Chat Room
- http://www.aplb.org
- Chat room for pet loss, MWF 8-11PM (ET), Sunday 2-5PM (ET);
Chat Room for Anticipating Pet Loss, Thursday 8-10PM (ET)
- PetsEverlasting.com
- http://petseverlasting.com/index.htm
- Offers a variety of resources, including a tribute section,
chats and a forum, as well as links to a variety of
products.
- MyBereavement.net
- http://www.mybereavement.net/home.php
- General bereavement site with discussion, forums, chat, etc.
Condolence Cards
- 1-2-3 Greetings: Electronic Pet Loss Condolence Cards
- http://www.123greetings.com/pets/loss_of_pet/index.html
- Free electronic pet loss condolence cards.
- Free Online Pet Loss Condolence Cards
- http://www.comfortpets.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=6
- In Memory of Pets
- http://www.in-memory-of-pets.com/sympathycards.php
- You can order printed sympathy cards from this site.
- Paws Passed
- http://www.pawspassed.com/ecards.php
- Offers free pet loss e-cards.
- Pet Loss: Tracks in the Sand
- http://pub43.bravenet.com/postcard/post.php?usernum=3671508911
- Design your own electronic pet loss card.
General Information
- Angel Animals
- http://www.angelanimals.net/welcome.html
- While not specifically a "pet loss" site, this site focuses on
animals and spirituality, and offers an interesting selection of
articles. (It also has some pet loss resources.)
- Animal Love and Loss Network
- http://www.ALLN.ORG
- An organization of pet loss counselors and professionals;
offers links to support groups, plus a chat room.
- Animals in Our Hearts
- http://Animalsinourhearts.com
- Offers links, articles, an audio-book, tips on helping a
friend or loved one cope with loss, and a variety of other
animal-related resources.
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
- http://www.aplb.org
- An association of pet loss counselors and professionals. The
site offers links, articles, a bookstore, and directories of
counselors and pet loss support groups.
- Argus Institute for Families and Veterinary Medicine
- http://www.argusinstitute.colostate.edu/
- Sponsored by Colorado State University, this site provides a
number of excellent articles on pet loss, plus additional
resources for more help. (Formerly "Changes: The Support for
People and Pets Program".)
- AVMA Guidelines for Pet Loss Support Services
- http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/pet_loss.asp
- This page will be useful to anyone interested in setting up a
pet loss support group.
- Cat Lullaby
- http://www.myspace.com/fredmooltenandfriends
- Hear a lullaby inspired by the death of a beloved cat; the
lyrics can be found at http://bluesandfolk.com/lyrics.htm (scroll down
to "Cat Lullaby).
- Coping with the Death of Your Pet
- http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/coping_with_the_death_of_your_pet/
- Pet loss material from the Humane Society of the United
States. Sadly, no longer the resource it used to be.
- Coping with the Loss of a Pet
- http://www.homevet.com/bonding/loss.html
- An article covering grieving, the five stages of mourning, how
to explain pet loss to a child, and reasons for
euthanasia.
- Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline
- http://www.vet.cornell.edu/public/petloss
- In addition to information about the hotline itself, this site
lists other hotlines and offers several useful articles on loss,
grieving, euthanasia and more.
- DogDied.uk.com
- http://www.dogdied.uk.com
- A helpful UK site dealing with pet loss, with forums,
articles, memorials and more.
- "Dr. Cookie's" Pet Loss Page
- http://www.dr-cookie.com
- Hosted by Dr. Stefanie Schwartz, veterinarian and behaviorist;
click on the "Pet Loss" link on the left.
- Emotional Trauma
- http://www.helpguide.org/mental/grief_bereavement.htm
- A good, generic guide to causes, symptoms and coping
strategies for emotional trauma, including loss.
- Equine Protection Network - Cemeteries and Crematories for
Horses
- http://www.equineprotectionnetwork.com/saveamericashorses/cremations.htm
- A state-by-state guide to facilities that handle burials or
cremations for horses.
- Explaining Pet Loss to Children: Six Do's and Don'ts
- http://tinyurl.com/q35sa
- FidoFinder.com
- http://www.fidofinder.com/
- A site where you can register a missing pet, along with useful
tips for finding a lost pet.
- Grief Healing
- http://griefhealing.com
- An excellent resource from pet loss counselor Marty Tousley.
It offers an extensive collection of Marty's articles and columns
on grief, plus other resources. The one downside is that it is
graphics-intensive and can take a long time to load (but it's
worth the wait).
- GriefWorksBC
- http://www.griefworksbc.com/
- A Canadian resource site for grief in general, including lots
of links and a database of grief counselors on Canada.
- Having to Say Goodbye
- http://www.landofpuregold.com/loss.htm
- A (long) page of pet loss tips and resources from a golden
retriever site. A key resource is a state-by-state guide to pet
loss resources and support groups; click on the map to find
resources in your state. In addition to links, poetry and basic
tips, this page offers an extensive list of books for adults and
children. Also graphics-heavy and slow to load.
- Healing and Inspirational Poetry
- http://www.petloss.com/poems/poems.htm
- Links to dozens of poems on pet loss and related
topics.
- In Memory of Pets
- http://www.in-memory-of-pets.com/
- An extensive collection of links, book references, and other
resources for pet loss.
- Interfaith Animal Clergy
- http://www.animalclergy.com/
- A resource for clergy, chaplains, and others helping people
deal with the bereavement of pet loss.
- Lightning Strike Pet-Loss Support Page
- http://www.lightning-strike.com/frame_pet-loss.htm
- One of the oldest pet-loss sites on the web, with an eclectic
selection of resources and links. Now offers pet loss support
blogs!
- Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets
-
- http://www.pethospice.org/index.html
- A site dedicated to "Promoting the right to make personal
choices concerning a terminally ill companion animal, maximizing
quality of life and informing the veterinary community and the
public about the value of hospice care."
- Paws of the Heart
- http://www.pawsoftheheart.com
- Though the resource pages of this site are designed primarily
for the Virginia area, other pages offer a wide range of poems,
articles and other tips for grieving. Definitely worth a
visit.
- Perpetual Pet
- http://www.perpetualpet.net
- The only site I've been able to find on freeze-drying
pets.
- Pet Animal Preservation
- http://www.pet-animalpreservation.com
- OK, now I've found TWO sites on freeze-drying...
- Pet Hospice Care
- http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/pethospice/
- A new discussion group focusing on pet hospice care and
bereavement.
- The Pet Loss Grief Support Website & Candle
Ceremony
- http://www.petloss.com/
- Offers information on "The Rainbow Bridge" in several
different languages, plus a Monday evening worldwide candle
ceremony for pets. Also offers a chat room, translations of the
ceremony, poetry (see above), articles, books, links to online
support groups (on AOL, Compuserve, and GEnie), links to telephone
support, an article on grief writing, and links to other
resources.
- Pet Loss Phone Support
- http://www.petloss.com/phones.htm
- Links to university and veterinary hospital hotlines, and also
to a variety of counselors and organizations that offer telephone
support to pet owners.
- Pet Loss: Understanding Grief in Children
- http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/grief-children.html
- The Pet Professor
- http://www.thepetprofessor.com
- Though not specifically a pet loss page, this site is loaded
with useful information and great pictures.
- Millies Ministries Veterinary Chaplaincy
- http://www.veterinarychaplaincy.org/id18.html
- Offers prayers, support and counseling for pet owners.
- NW Pet Support
- http://www.nwpetsupport.com
- "Your Complete Guide to Animal Care Resources in the
Northwest"
- Super Dog's Pet Loss: A Reference to References
- http://www.superdog.com/Coping-.html
- Links to books, online resources, counselors, cemeteries, urns
and markers, poems, tributes and more.
- Tigger's Memorial Page
- http://mysite.verizon.net/deborahlb/PetLoss.htm
- Lots of links to comforting poems and messages.
- Time to Let Go
- http://www.messybeast.com/euth.htm
- Good article on euthanasia, and on how to determine when the
time is right.
- Treegivers
- http://www.treegivers.com/program.html
- Plant a tree in memory of your pet
- Veterinary Chaplaincy Services
- http://veterinarychaplaincy.homestead.com/
- Designed to help veterinarians and other professionals deal
with "compassion fatigue" relating to pet loss.
Hotlines
Grief Recovery Hotline: (800) 445-4808 - M-F 9am-5pm PT
Arizona: Companion Animal Association - (602) 995-5885 (24 hrs)
California: U.C. Davis College of Veterinary Medicine - (800)
565-1526 (M-F 6:30-9:30pm PT), http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/petloss/
Colorado: Colorado State University - (970) 297-1242 (M-F 9-5 MT)
D.C./Maryland/Virginia - The PAL Pet Loss Hotline can be accessed by calling the
PAL office in Washington, D.C., 202-966-2172, Monday through Friday,
from 9am to 5 pm. You will be referred to a PAL counselor
Florida: University of Floriday - (904) 392-4700 x 4080 (M-F
7-9pm ET)
Illinois: Chicago Veterinary Medical Association - (630) 325-1600
(leave voice-mail; calls returned between 7-9 pm; long distance
calls returned collect)
Illinois: University of Illinois CARE Pet Loss Helpline -
(877)394-2273 (toll-free) Sun/T/Th 7-9pm CST; voice mail
messages will be returned.
Indiana: Pet Loss Support Group - (317) 251-4028
Iowa: Iowa State University Pet Loss Support Hotline - (888)
478-7574 (toll-free).
Maryland, Virginia, DC: Virginia-Maryland Regional College of
Veterinary Medicine - (540) 231-8038 (T/Th 6-9pm ET)
Maryland, Virginia, DC - PAL Pet Loss Hotline, (202) 966-2172, 9-5.
Massachusetts: Tufts University - (508) 839-7966 (T/Th 6-9pm ET)
Michigan: Michigan State University College of Veterinary
Medicine - (517) 432-2696 (T/Th 7:30-9:30pm ET)
Minnesota: Social Work Services, University of Minnesota
Veterinary Medical Center - 612-624-9372
New Jersey: PetFriends Inc. - (800) 404-PETS, (856) 234-4688 for
local southern NJ calls. Phones answered 24 hours a day.
Ohio: The Ohio State University Companion Animal Listening Line -
(614) 292-1823 - MWF M-F 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm EST, Sat-Sun 10 am Ð 4 pm
EST; voice-mail messages will be returned. (Most hotline volunteers
are veterinary students, therefore hours are dependant on volunteer
availability and may be more limited during summer months.)
Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary
Medicine - (215) 898-4525
Texas: United Way Helpline - (210) 227-4357 (7am-3pm CT)
Virginia, Maryland, DC - PAL Pet Loss Hotline, (202) 966-2172, 9-5.
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, T/Th 6-9 PM ET - (540) 231-8038
Great Britain - 0891 615285 Society for Companion Animal
Studies. Fee: 49p/minute Monday thru Friday 8am-6pm; 39p/minute
otherwise. Offers a booklet titled "Death of an Animal Friend" for £2.50; write SCAS, 10b Leny Rd., Callander, Scotland FK17 8BA.
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Would you like to link to us?
We welcome links back to the Pet Loss Support Page. We
cannot always guarantee a reciprocal link, as we only offer
links to sites that offer a significant amount of information
or resources specifically on the subject of pet loss. If you'd
like to add our link, however, there is no need to contact us
for permission. You are also welcome to use the button at left
to accompany the link. |
Pet loss brings a host of painful questions:
- Am I the only person who feels this way?
- Am I "crazy" to be hurting so much?
- How do I cope with this terrible pain?
- What should I tell my children?
- How do I know when to euthanize a pet?
- Will my other pets grieve for their companion?
- What if my pet gets lost or runs away?
- How can I protect my pets in an emergency?
- How can I help my family cope?
- What should I do with my pet's remains?
- What if I have to give up my pet?
- When should I get a new pet?
You'll find answers to these questions and
more in Moira Allen's book, Coping
with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet -- now available in a newly updated, expanded 3rd edition that celebrates 20 years in print!
To order, please visit Amazon.com - or click "New and Used" and select "MOIRAKALLEN" as the seller to order direct from the author at a discount.
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