Guide to Support Groups, Counselors & Pet Cemeteries
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Pet Loss Support Page

HOME · Links & Hotlines · Emotions of Pet Loss · Defining "Quality of Life" · Pre-Loss Bereavement · Surviving Loss · Conquering Guilt · Creating a Memorial · Euthanasia: The Most Painful Decision · The Final Farewell · Do Pets Go to Heaven? · Getting a New Pet · Send in the Clones? · Some Questions on Loss

Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet

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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.


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.

Copyright © 2009 by Moira Anderson Allen
All rights reserved. For information or to reprint materials on this site, contact Moira Allen