Alberta Canada Pet Loss Support Group: "Calgary's Pet Loss Support Group (PLSG) was the first of its kind in Canada. It was established in 1990, when a group of concerned and caring people met to discuss the impact of companion animal death on their lives... The PLSG handles approximately 300 calls for support and general information each year - all completely free of charge. While most calls come from Calgary, the group has also provided much needed support and resource materials to people across Canada and the United States."
Animal Love and Loss Network: "The Animal Love And Loss Network (ALLN) seeks to bring together those who are mourning the injury, illness or loss of an animal companion.... This goal is to be accomplished through the open dialogue and free exchange of ideas by a network of caring individuals, dedicated to helping themselves and others better understand and move through the pain of loss and grief."
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement: Information and resources for those who have lost a companion animal; includes listings of books and cassettes on pet loss and bereavement; support groups; chatrooms; hotlines; etc.
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Online Message Board & Memorials: This sanctuary, which does such remarkable work, offers bereavement services such as an online message board for "Prayers, Healing, & Support for you as well as your pets. Also, and in particular, prayers and support for people whose pets are leaving this world or have already passed 'Over the Rainbow Bridge.' We know how very difficult this time can be." and "Memorials to your beloved pets who have passed over the Rainbow Bridge."
Canadian Pacific Animal Therapy Society Pet Loss Support Line: "Supported in part by donations from veterinary clinics in the Greater Victoria area, The Pet Loss Support Line offers emotional support to anyone who has experienced or is anticipating the loss of a pet, for any reason.... The Pet Loss Support Line is staffed by members of the Pacific Animal Therapy Society, who are pet lovers themselves. Support Line volunteers understand the pain associated with the loss of a pet. All Support Line volunteers receive training in support skills, with particular attention to issues surrounding grief."
Colorado State University Argus Institute for Families and Veterinary Medicine Grief Resources: Step-by-step information, readings, and other resources for pet bereavement.
Companion Animal Association of Arizona's Pet Grief Support: "Operated entirely by trained volunteers who themselves have suffered the loss of a pet, the Service provides a telephone Helpline ["Although there is no charge for this service, please be aware that long distance calls will be returned collect."], monthly support group meetings, pet grief information, literature and reading lists, and referrals to appropriate resources."
Coping with the Loss of a Pet: An online article with the following sections: Grieving; Five Stages of Mourning; Explaining Pet Loss to Your Child; Reasons for Euthanasia
Cornell University Pet Loss Support: Provides a hotline staffed by volunteer veterinary students, information (about euthanasia, stages of grieving, etc.), books for children, etc.
Florida Pet Grief Support Hotline: "The Pet Grief Support Hotline was started at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. The phone line is staffed by volunteers, many of whom are students at the university. Each volunteer receives training in the methods of grief counseling and support. When you call, your message is recorded and a volunteer will pick up the messages once a day; typically in the evening. If you call after the volunteer has checked for messages, your call will returned the next evening."
Gone To Dogstar: "We are a free internet memorial community, open to all dogs who have Gone to DogStar, and who wait for us there. Our goal is to give you a place where you will always be able to find your friend in the night sky. And to help you realize that you have been blessed with a very special gift when you know, as do we, that spirit as bright as theirs can never die. Each of our dogs have individual stars that lead to their respective pages, grouped in constellations. The posting of DogStars to their constellation is a free service..."
Grief-pets E-mail Support Group: "Grief-pets is an on-line support group for anyone dealing with the loss of a pet--any pet, whether the loss is recent or not, or even the imminent death of a pet." On their home page, choose the "Unique Losses" listing, which will show "grief-pets."
Halton/Peel Pet Loss Support Group: "If you are trying to cope with the loss of a pet, or are facing a euthanasia decision we are there to help.... We have also suffered the pain of pet loss and are here to listen to you, not to judge and to let you know that you are not alone in how you are feeling. If you are trying to cope with the loss of a pet, or are facing a euthanasia decision, we welcome you to our Pet Loss Message Board."
Hoofbeats in Heaven: "a gateway to horse loss resources created to provide the information, solace and support you may be seeking. Here you will find you are not alone in your grief over the loss of your horse.... While society is coming to increasingly accept that a dog or cat is a member of the family, a horse is still largely considered nothing more then livestock. Here we know that we can love our horse as much as any family member and we mourn their death just as deeply."
How to Help Your Child with the Loss of a Pet: "In our society, we place tremendous value on the care we give our pets. They become like members of the family. Thus, losing a beloved animal friend can be a terrible time for the whole family. It is natural to want to protect your children from painful experiences. However, most kids will be able to adjust to the loss of a pet if your approach is honest, gentle, and simple. This article will describe the grief process, specifically as children may experience it, and will offer several tips on how to help children cope with the death of a pet."
IMOM Pet Loss and Grief Support: Writings, a prayer circle, lists of books about pet loss, grief counseling via email, and other support and resources.
In Memory of Pets: Message Board, Grief Support, Helping Your Vet, Newsletter, & other resources
Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Support Hotline: "The Pet Loss Support Hotline was established at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine to provide a source of emotional support for those who have lost an animal friend or are anticipating the loss of their pet. It is a free service to those in need thanks to the initial funding from the IAMS Company. We hope that you will find a source of understanding and comfort with our service during this difficult time. Grieving the loss of a pet is difficult for anyone. Please consider submitting a brief eulogy to the Pet Memorial."
Lightening Strike Pet Loss Support: "This site is called Lightning Strike because I hope it provides 'lightning-fast' pet loss support for pet lovers grieving over the death of a pet, a dying pet, sick pet, or lost pet...no matter if they walk, crawl, fly, hop, or swim our great earth. To date, the site has helped hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. It's here to provide a "cybershoulder" for pet loss sufferers. Here you will find a pet loss forum for the exchange of thoughts and feelings...a pet loss support blog, where you can host your own "online diary" for others to see and comment upon...a pet loss book listing...as well as a list of other pet loss support websites you can turn to for further comfort."
Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Support: pet loss support hotline staffed by volunteers; information; lists of books (with a section "especially for children") on pet loss.
Pet Loss Grief Support: personal support and advice, message board, chat room, The Monday Pet Loss Candle Ceremony, Tribute Pages, healing poetry like Rainbow Bridge, etc.
Pet Loss Myths: "Since more and more animal lovers are 'coming out of the closet,' fewer animal lovers are feeling as alone with their intense pet-related grief. More and more animal lovers are openly talking about their deep bonds with their furred, feathered, finned, and scaled friends. Peoples' attitudes towards pet loss have really changed in the last 40 years - especially in the last decade. Despite growing enlightenment, misperceptions about pet loss still persist. These myths hinder healthy mourning. Here are some of the myths followed by the realities."
Pet Loss Support Page: "Anyone who considers a pet a beloved friend, companion, or family member knows the intense pain that accompanies the loss of that friend. [Resources for] coping with that grief, and with the difficult decisions one faces upon the loss of a pet." Includes state-by-state guide to support groups.
Rainbows Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center: Offers a pet loss forum, a pet loss chat room, and other resources.
Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss: Information about pet loss; lists of books for adults and for children on losing a pet; Tufts Pet Loss Support Hotline staffed by veterinary students trained by counselors from the Tufts Counseling Center; and other resources.
University of California, Davis, Pet Loss Support Hot Line: "Established in February 1989 as the first of its kind, The Pet Loss Support Hotline provides a non-judgmental outlet for people to express their feelings and concerns when faced with difficult times involving their cherished animal companions. The Hotline is staffed by veterinary students trained by a professional grief counselor."
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine C.A.R.E. [Companion Animal Related Emotions] Pet Loss Helpline: "The C.A.R.E. Helpline was developed to provide a supportive outlet for people experiencing the actual or anticipated loss of their cherished companion animal. The Helpline is staffed by veterinary students who understand the importance of the bond you share with your animal friend and the emotions involved when that bond is threatened or altered. The students have received training by professional grief counselors and undergo continued supervision by a licensed clinical social worker."
Virtual Pet Cemetary: "Our deepest condolences on the loss of your pet. We at Pets.ca, hope to give you this opportunity to share your grief, love and respect in a virtual pet tribute. The pets.ca virtual pet cemetery is dedicated to preserving the memory of our beloved pets. There is no charge whatsoever for this service."
Washington State University Pet Loss Hotline: "We are a group of veterinary students attending Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. We have been trained in grief counseling by a licensed therapist. We are all volunteers, many who have experienced the loss of a beloved pet. By helping others through this painful time, we hope to become better, more compassionate veterinarians."