Links and Hotlines

General Information

American Association of Mobile and Housecall Veterinarians

http://www.housecallvets.org/

A directory of mobile veterinarians; this is a good place to start a search if you're looking for someone who will provide euthanasia services in your home.

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).

Chance's Spot

http://www.chancesspot.org/publications.htm

Several helpful downloadable brochures on pet loss.

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.

A Dog's Guide to the Hereafter

http://tinydogtales.com/ADogsGuideTotheHereafter/DOG01.html

This is a delightful photo presentation of what might come next, in a dog's afterlife.

"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.

Green Pet Burial Society

http://www.greenpetburial.org

Information and advocacy regarding natural burials within pet cemeteries for those who prefer burial to cremation, and natural burial to underground entombment. They also address pet burials in family plots of (human) cemeteries.

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.

Hoofbeats in Heaven

http://www.hoofbeats-in-heaven.com/

A site dedicated to resources on "horse loss support."

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

Information on freeze-drying pets.

Pet Animal Preservation

http://www.pet-animalpreservation.com

More information 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.

PetLossHelp.org

http://www.petlosshelp.org/

Articles, a weekly column, and a place to add your photo tribute for weekly postings.

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.

The Things You Would Have Said

http://wouldhavesaid.com/

A site where you can post letters and messages that express what you "would have said" to a departed loved one.

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.

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.)

Chance's Spot

http://www.chancesspot.org/tributes.asp

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.

Washington State University Pet Memorial Program

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/Petmemorial/

By donating to the WSU pet memorial program, you can post a tribute or you can obtain access for a friend or loved one to post a tribute to their pet.

Discussion Groups

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.

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)

Chance's Spot Online Support Group

http://www.chancesspot.org/supportgroup.htmMeets online every Thursday from 9 to 10 P.M. Eastern time.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hotlines

Grief Recovery Hotline: (800) 445-4808 - M-F 9am-5pm PT

Iams Pet Loss Support Hotline: 1-888-332-7738 - M-F 9am-5pm

Arizona: Companion Animal Association - (602) 995-5885 (24 hrs)

California: Grief Recovery Institute, Beverly Hills, CA - (888) 773-2683

Colorado: Colorado State University - (970) 297-1242 (M-F 9-5 MT)

D.C./Maryland/Virginia: The PAL Pet Loss Comfort Line can be accessed by calling the PAL office in Washington, D.C., 202-966-2171, Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5 pm. You will be referred to a PAL counselor. http://peopleanimalslove.com

Florida: University of Florida, Gainesville - (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.

New York: ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline, (877) GRIEF-10

New York: Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline, (607) 253-3932 - T/Th 6-9 pm ET; messages will be returned

New York: Animal Medical Center, NYC - (212) 838-8100

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, Philadelphia - (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: 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.

BEREAVEMENT STUDY: The Continuing Impact of a Pet's Death Researchers from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Palo Alto University 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. 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) 433-3870 and leave us a message. Thank you.

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.

When a pet dies, you want help... fast!

Moira Allen's Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet will bring you comfort, compassion, and support. This award-winning book will help you understand --

Why you feel the way you do Why it isn't "crazy" to grieve for a beloved pet How to cope with the pain you're feeling How to help your children deal with the loss What to do when other pets miss their companion When, how and why to make the decision of euthanasia What to do with a pet's remains When to consider getting a new pet (with tips on what to do and what to avoid) How to improve your chances of recovering a lost or stolen pet How to protect your pets during an emergency or disaster How to help a friend cope with loss

Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet celebrates 20 years in print with a newly updated, expanded Third Edition - now available from Amazon.com!

To order, please visit Amazon.com - or click "New and Used" and select "MOIRAKALLEN" to order direct from the author at a discount. (Quantity discounts are also available; please visit our Quantity Orders page for details.