Coping with the Loss of a Pet

Losing a pet can be devastating. If this has happened to your family, we are sorry for your loss.

We understand how difficult this time may be for you and your family.

You may find yourself or other members of your family experiencing the same kinds of emotions you might feel if a human member of your family has died. You are not alone. And learning more about the grief process may help.

Learn More

• Click here to understand more about grief and the process of grieving.
• Click here to learn more about talking to children about the loss of a pet, plus see a list of recommended children’s books that can help them understand and cope with the death of a pet.
• Click here for a list of books that can help adults understand and cope with the death of a pet.
• Click here for suggestions on how to honor and memorialize your deceased pet.

Pet Loss Support Hotlines & Resources

• ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline, (877) 474-3310
• Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
• Colorado State Argus Institute for Families and Veterinary Medicine
• Grief Healing
• Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets
• Pet Grief Support
• Pet Loss Help
• Pet Loss Support
• Rainbow Bridge
• Tufts University Pet Loss Support
• University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Grief Support

The information included in this section of our website has been adapted from the book, Stress, Loss and Grief (1984) by Laurel Lagoni, MS, and Suzanne Hetts, PhD, and the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center’s Coping With the Loss of Your Companion Animal (2012). We are grateful to Rena Ledin, MSW, LGSW, who made additional revisions, and the staff of BluePearl for their contributions.