top of page
Image by Transly Translation Agency

Pet Loss Support

You’re not alone in this grief. We’re here to help you find comfort, community, and healing.

​

Losing a beloved animal companion can feel overwhelming, disorienting, and deeply painful. Whether your loss is recent or you’re simply preparing for the road ahead, this page offers gentle support and trusted resources to help you navigate your grief.

Books We Recommend: For Adults

  • The Pet Loss Companion by Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez

  • The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss by Russell Friedman

  • When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering and Healing by Alan Wolfeldt

  • The Loss of a Pet by Wallace Sife

  • Pet Parent: A Journey Through Unconditional Love and Grief by Coleen Ellis

  • Coping With Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet by Moira Anderson Allen

  • How to Survive the Loss of a Pet (audiobook) by Cheryl Richardson

  • Coping With the Loss of Your Pet by Christine Lemieux

  • Pet Loss: A Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children by Herbert Neiburg and Arlene Fischer

  • You can also find many other book recommendations on the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement website.

Books We Recommend:
For Children

  • Healing Your Grieving Heart for Kids by Alan Wolfeldt

  • When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers

  • Goodbye For Now by Lynsey Rinelli

  • Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant

  • Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant

  • Forever Friend: a children's guide and activity book for saying goodbye to a special dog by Mary Gardner and Coleen Ellis

  • Forever Friend: a children's guide and activity book for saying goodbye to a special cat by Mary Gardner and Coleen Ellis

  • Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas

Videos 

  • Losing My Pet: The Story of My Dog Leo
    A heartfelt short video helping normalize pet loss and grief

  • Our Favorite Short Videos — Coming soon to this page

Websites

Local virtual support groups

  • Redwood Empire VMA

    • Every Wednesday, 7 to 8 pm.

    • To attend the group, please contact:  Jane Sorensen, RN MFT

    • (707) 888-8448 (call or text)

    • psbandrox@aol.com 

  • Berkeley Humane

    • 2nd Wednesday of the month, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

    • For more information, please call Jill Goodfriend, RN, LCSW at (510) 393-1359.

  • Muttville

    • 1st Monday of the month, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Online virtual  support groups: National

Regional: In Person Support Group

  • ​SF SPCA

  • First Tuesday of every month from 7:30-9:00pm

  • SF SPCA Adoption Center, Geraldi Building
    250 Florida St, San Francisco, CA 94103  

Phone
Hotlines

  • Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline – 607-218-7457

  • Tufts University Pet Loss Support Hotline– 508-839-7966

  • Both are available during weekday afternoon/evening hours, see websites for availability

  • For Specific Grief Topics

    • ​Behavioral Euthanasia Support:  Losing Lulu

    • Anticipatory Grief:  APLB Chatroom, on Thursdays from 8-10 pm ET.

Support groups & grief counseling

  • In-person and virtual pet loss support groups are available through:

    • Local veterinary schools

    • APLB

    • Hospice centers and pet cremation services

  • Need to talk to someone right now?
    📞 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
    (You don’t have to be in crisis to call. They’re there to listen.)

Helping children grieve

Children process pet loss differently, and they may need age-specific language, rituals, and space to express their emotions. We encourage families to include children in goodbyes when appropriate and offer them small ways to remember, like:

  • Drawing pictures of their pet

  • Helping create a memory box

  • Lighting a candle together

  • Reading one of the recommended books above

There’s no one “right” way to grieve. It comes in waves, stories, tears, laughter—and time. We’re here to help you honor your pet’s life and your unique relationship with them.

bottom of page