Pet Loss
Grieving for the loss of a pet is often a sad and difficult experience. Life once filled with their love and friendship may suddenly seem very empty and feelings of despair and loneliness are not uncommon.
It can help to share these 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.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve the loss of your pet. We are here to help you and there are organisations that can support you during the grieving process. Society is starting to appreciate how the loss of a pet can be at least as difficult and sometimes worse than the loss of a family member.
Below are several sites that offer support to those who have lost a pet.
The Ralph Site
The site was set up by vet Shailen Jasani (MA VetMB MRCVS DipACVECC) in July 2011 as a not-for-profit website providing support to pet owners around the loss of a beloved companion, with excellent downloadable and printable resources and both public and private Facebook groups.
HelpGuide.org
This site was started in 1999 by co-founders Jeanne and Robert Segal. It contains an entire section on pet loss with some very helpful information on the loss of a pet.
The Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS)
PBBS is dedicated to offering support and understanding to bereaved pet owners through a national network of trained volunteer telephone and email befrienders. All calls and emails are treated confidentially and the support line is open from 8.30am – 8.30pm everyday.
You can contact the service on the telephone at 0800 096 6606 or by e-mail to pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk.
