Pet Loss Support
"Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really."
Carlotta Monterey
Saying goodbye hurts. Our pets are our family, our best friends, our confidants. Their love for us is like none other, and when they get sick and when they grow old, our hearts break. Grief and mourning are a part of saying goodbye, and sometimes feelings of guilt and anger arise too. Where there was once your loving and loyal pet, there is now a void, and it hurts. We cannot take your pain away, but here are some resources which may help you.
Eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral and Emergency:
The Veterinary Social Work (VSW) program at Eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral is a complimentary service that provides pet owners and staff with resources and support. This program assists in crisis management, short-term counseling, financial resource linkage, and end of life support. Our Veterinary Social Work program is staffed by Charity Moorhous, a licensed clinical social work associate, and clinical interns attending UNCW’s Master of Social Work program.
For their upcoming grief groups and more information, click here.
Memorialize your pet: For many, a memorial to their pet helps the healing to begin. For instance:
Donate to a local animal welfare organization or rescue in honor of your pet
www.paws-ability.org-provides funding for Veterinary medical care to area pet parents, community cats and rescues
www.wilmingtonanimalcentrix.org/-focused on spaying and neutering to decrease the unwanted pet population
Build a simple memorial in your backyard
Frame a special photo of your pet
Make keepsakes from a lock of fur, a paw print, or a pet’s collar
Volunteer at an animal shelter in your pet’s honor
Consider becoming a pet foster parent
Plant a tree in your pet's honor
Visit https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/ where you can post a memorial of your beloved pet.
Websites:
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement offers chat rooms staffed by trained professionals who volunteer their time, in honor of their pets, to assist anyone who is mourning their pet: www.aplb.org.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offers a section on pet loss: www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-loss/pet-loss.
Marty Tousley is a human hospice bereavement counselor who offers support for those suffering from the loss of their pet as well: http://www.griefhealing.com.
The Rainbow Bridge site provides a pet loss forum: http://www.rainbowbridge.com.
The pet loss support page:
Hotlines:
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: 877-474-3310
Iams Pet Loss Support Center: 888-332-7738
Books:
Paw Prints in the Stars: A Farewell and Journal for a Beloved Pet by Warren Hanson
When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering and Healing by Alan D Wolfelt, PhD CT
The Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping with the Grieving Process When a Pet Dies by Wallace Sife
Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet by Gary Kowalski
The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice from Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups by Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez (2013)
Books for Children:
Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant (1995)
The Kids Book About Pet Loss: Grieving and Healing After Losing Your Pet by Vicky Taylor (2013)
I'll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm (1988)
When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers (1998)
Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant (1997)
Forever Paws by Christine Davis (2011)
Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas and Ard Hoyt (2009)
For Every Dog an Angel by Christine Davis (1997)
Sammy in the Sky by Barbara Walsh
