Pet Loss Support

There may be many reasons that making end-of-life decisions and experiencing a loss feels overwhelming. The impending or recent loss of a pet can cause many difficult emotions both new or related to other losses you may have experienced. If you are feeling overwhelmed and need help with these feelings or with a euthanasia decision, you may want to discuss your concerns with your health care provider, your regular veterinarian, our veterinarian, or access some of the resources listed below.  

For additional information/questions, you may also visit The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center’s web page Honoring The Bond at www.vet.osu.edu/HonoringtheBond 

Pet Loss Hotlines

Crisis Text Line - text HELLO to 741741, or www.crisistextline.org

National Suicide Prevention Hotline - Call or text 988 or www.988lifeline.org

ASPCA Pet Loss Help Line 1-877-474-3310

Tufts University Pet Loss Support (508) 839-7966

Cornell University Pet Loss Support (607) 218-7457

National Alliance on Mental Illness - 1-800-950-6264, Text NAMI to 741741, or www.NAMI.org/Home

Other Grief Support

Veterinary Wisdom, support for pet parents www.veterinarywisdom.com  

Association of Pet loss and Bereavement www.aplb.org

Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center www.rainbowbridge.com 

IAADP - Assistance Dog Loss Committee www.iaadp.org

Books for Adults

“Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet”, Gary Kowalski, New World Library , 2006

“Going Home: Finding Peace when Pets Die”, Jon Katz, Villard/Random House Publishing, 2011.

“Forever in My Heart: Remembering my Pet’s Life”, Herb and Mary Montgomery, Montgomery press, 2000

“Dog Heaven” and “Cat Heaven” Cynthia Rylant, Blue Sky Press, 1995

Books for Children

“For Every dog an Angel”, Christine Davis, Lighthearted Press, 2003

“For Every Cat and Angel”, Christine Davis, 2000

“Goodbye Mousie”, Robie Harris, Simon and Schuster Children’s, 2001

“My Pet Died”, Rachel Biale, Tricycle Press, 1997, (a journal/scrapbook)

“I remember: A Book About My Special Pet”  Herb and Mary Montgomery, Montgomery Press, 2000 (Journal/Workbook/Scrapbook)

“Dog Heaven” and “Cat Heaven” Cynthia Rylant, Blue Sky Press, 1995