Coping with Grief
  

 
It is normal to grieve the loss of a loved one, human or animal, but sometimes we find that we can't seem to handle the loss.   You never have to be alone in your grief.  There is always someone ready to help you.
  • Your Veterinarian
  • Your Clergy
  • A Friend or Family Member
  • A Professional Counselor

If for some reason you don't feel comfortable talking with any of these people about your loss, there are numerous on-line grief counseling websites for people experiencing the loss of a pet.  The list below features but a few of those found on the Internet.

 

Pet Loss & Bereavement Support Hotlines/Telephone Support

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) National Pet Loss Hotline.

    • 424 East 92nd St., New York, NY 10128 .
    • Phone: (212) 876-7700, ext. 4355.
    • Fax: (212) 860-3435.
    • Email: StephanieL@ASPCA.org.
    • Contact: Stephanie LaFarge, Ph.D.

The ASPCA Counseling Department offers a full range of pet loss and bereavement services. The National Pet Loss Hotline, offers free nationwide consultation to bereaved owners on a 24-hour basis. Call 1-800-946-4646, use keypad to punch in pin number 140-7211 and then your own phone number. The call will be returned immediately. New York City residents may be seen in person at the ASPCA headquarters.

C.A.R.E. Helpline for Companion Animal Related Emotions.

    • University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., 3505 VMBSB, Urbana, IL 61802 .
    • Phone: (217) 244-CARE (2273).
    • Email: brannan@vivc.edu.
    • Contact: Julia Brannan or Joann Eurell.

The death, loss, or impending death of your companion animal can be a difficult and emotional time. The C.A.R.E. helpline was developed to provide a supportive outlet for people experiencing the loss of a companion animal. Trained veterinary students staff the helpline. You may call and leave a voice mail message anytime. Volunteers will return calls on Tuesday and Thursday between 7:00-9:00 p.m. Central Time.

     CONTACT of Burlington County,  NK. (24 hour crisis helpline).

    • P.O. Box 131 , Moorestown , NJ 08057-0131 .
    • Phone: (800) 404-PETS. (Available only in NJ).
    • Phone: (856) 667-1717. (Outside NJ).

PetFriends provides free telephone support, information and referrals to anyone who is mourning or anticipating the loss of a pet.  A licensed clinical social worker and a veterinarian train volunteers.

     The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association Pet Loss Support Helpline.

    • Phone: (630) 325-1600.

The Helpline was established in 1993 and provides referral information on professional grief counseling and information packets on children and grief, euthanasia, pet loss and the elderly and a pet loss bibliography. You may call and leave a voice mail message at any time.   A volunteer will pick up messages and call back between 7-9 p.m. Central Time each weekday evening. There is no charge for this service but long distance calls will be returned collect.

     Pet Grief Support Service.

    • Companion Animal Association of Arizona Inc. P.O. Box 5006, Scottsdale, AZ 85261-5006 .
    • Pet Grief Support Helpline Number: (602) 995-5885.
    • Association Number: (602) 258-3306.

Operated entirely by trained volunteers, the service provides understanding, compassion, and support to persons throughout the U.S. and Canada who are anticipating or coping with the loss of a beloved companion animal. The Service offers a 24-hour-a-day telephone helpline, regularly scheduled support group meetings, information, literature, and reading lists on pet loss, and referral to appropriate resources. While there is no charge for the Service, long-distance calls to the Helpline will be returned collect.

     Pet Loss Support Program.

    • Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Clinical Center, C-100 East Lansing, MI 48824.
    • Phone: (517) 353-5064.
    • Fax: (517) 432-2766.
    • Email: Walshaw@pilot.msu.edu.
    • Contact: Sally Walshaw, M.A., V.M.D.

The Pet Loss Support Program at Michigan State University consists of a support group and a telephone hotline. The Hotline is staffed by veterinary student volunteers from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Support Group meets under the direction of a psychologist or a clinical social worker on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Veterinary Medical Center.

     Pet Loss Support Hotline.

    • Center for Animals in Society, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.
    • Phone: (800) 565-1526, Monday-Friday 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
    • Contact: Bonnie S. Mader, M.S., Associate Director/ Hotline Coordinator.

          Pet Loss Support Hotline.

Hours: September-April, 7 days a week 6:00-9:00 p.m., May-August, Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6:00-9:00 p.m. Central Time.

     Pet Loss Support Hotline.

    • University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainsville FL.
    • Phone: (352) 392-4700, ext. 4080.

Call at any time and leave your name and number. You will be called back between the hours of 7:00-9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The University of Florida offers telephone support anywhere in the U.S. at no charge.

     Pet Loss Support Hotline.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

    Pet Loss Support Hotline.

Hours: 6:00-9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Tuesday-Thursday.

     The Ohio State University Pet Loss Hotline.

    • Phone: (614) 292-1823.

This hotline is in operation Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Central Time.

     Pet Loss Support Hotline.

    • Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
    • Phone: (540) 231-8038.

Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

     Pet Loss Support Hotline.

    • Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Pullman , WA .
    • Phone: (509) 335-5704.

Trained WSU veterinary student volunteers staff the phones as compassionate listeners from 6:30-9:00 p.m. Pacific Time Monday-Thursday and 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Calls received after hours will be promptly reutrned on a collect basis.

     P.A.T.S. (Pet Loss Support Line).

    • Pacific Animal Therapy Society, 9412 Laurie's Lane, Sidney, B.C., V8L 4L2, Canada .
    • Phone: (250) 389- 8047.

Call between 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. any day of the week and leave your name and number. All long distance calls are returned collect.