Grief Support

Pets are cherished members of the family. Unfortunately, one of the inevitable parts of having a beloved pet is saying goodbye. Friends and family can comfort you in this time of need, but they may not understand the depths of your loss. These websites and hotlines offer resources on dealing with the grief of losing a beloved pet.

24 Hour:

• American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) National Pet Hotline 877.474.3310

Eastern:

• Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Pet Loss Support Group 517.432.2696
• University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Pet Loss Support Hotline 352.294.4430
• If someone is not available to talk with you when you call, your call will be returned within 24 hours on weekdays. Weekend calls will be returned on Monday.
• Tufts University, Pet Loss Support Hotline 508.839.7966
  During the academic year, call Monday through Friday, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. EST. Times vary during the summer. Messages left during off-hours will be returned, at no cost to the caller, during the next normal hotline shift.
• Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Pet Loss Support Hotline 607.253.3932
  Tuesday through Thursday, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. EST

Central:

• C.A.R.E. (Companion Animal Related Emotions) Helpline (University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital)
  Toll-free: 877.394.2273
  Local: 217.244.2273
  Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. CST
• The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, Pet Loss Helpline and Wings, a Pet Loss Support Group 630.325.1600
• Iowa State University
  888.478.7574
  September through April: 7 days a week, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. CST
  May through August: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. CST
• University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine 

Mountain:

• Companion Animal Association of Arizona, Inc. 
  602.995.5885
• The Argus Institute for Families and Veterinary Medicine 
  970.297.1242
  Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. MST
• The Human Animal Bond Trust (HABT)
  303.318.0447

Pacific:

• University of California–Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Animals in Society
• Washington State University
  Monday through Thursday, 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. PST
  Saturday, 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. PST
  Calls received after hours will be promptly returned on a collect basis.

Canada:

• Pacific Animal Therapy Society (P.A.T.S.)
  250.389.8047
  Daily, 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. PST 
  All long-distance calls are returned collect.

Additional Pet Loss Resources

• Claire Chew, MA, Grief Recovery Specialist, Pet Bereavement Expert
  310.314.9837
  Download Heal from Pet Loss
• Delta Society
• Pet Loss Support Page
• Hoofbeats in Heaven (Horse Loss Support)