If you are reading this, you are likely in pain. The loss of a pet can be devastating, and you deserve support from people who understand. This resource guide connects you with free hotlines, support groups, online communities, and professional services—all designed to help you through one of the most difficult experiences of your life. You do not have to grieve alone.
If You Are in Crisis
If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide related to your grief, please reach out immediately:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (available 24/7)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- Emergency Services: Call 911
Your grief is valid. Your pain is real. And your life matters. Please reach out.
University-Based Pet Loss Hotlines
Several veterinary schools across the United States operate free pet loss support hotlines staffed by trained veterinary students and supervised by licensed counselors. These callers understand the human-animal bond at a deep, clinical level and will never minimize your grief. All calls are confidential and free.
University Pet Loss Hotlines
Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline
Phone: (607) 218-7457
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM EST
Details: Staffed by Cornell veterinary students trained in grief counseling. One of the longest-running pet loss hotlines in the country.
Tufts University Pet Loss Support Hotline
Phone: (508) 839-7966
Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM EST
Details: Operated by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Offers compassionate listening and referrals to local resources.
University of California, Davis Pet Loss Support Hotline
Phone: (530) 752-4200
Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:30 PM–9:30 PM PST
Details: Staffed by UC Davis veterinary students with specialized training in grief support. Serves callers nationwide.
Michigan State University Veterinary College
Phone: (517) 432-2696
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 6:30 PM–9:30 PM EST
Details: One of the most respected programs in the country. Counselors have advanced training in the human-animal bond.
Washington State University Pet Loss Hotline
Phone: (509) 335-5704
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:00 PM–9:00 PM PST; Saturday, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM PST
Details: College of Veterinary Medicine. Also provides support for anticipatory grief before a pet's passing.
National Hotlines & Helplines
Beyond university programs, several national organizations provide telephone support for pet loss grief:
ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline
Phone: (877) 474-3310
Hours: Available 24/7 via voicemail; a counselor will return your call
Details: Staffed by licensed counselors who specialize in pet bereavement. Leave a message and receive a return call, typically within 24–48 hours.
iCare Pet Loss Helpline
Phone: (888) 332-7738
Hours: Varies by day; check their website for current schedule
Details: Operated by the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement. Provides both telephone and email support.
Lap of Love Pet Loss Support Line
Phone: (855) 352-5683
Hours: Available 24/7
Details: Operated by the nation's largest in-home pet euthanasia provider. Offers grief support regardless of whether they performed the euthanasia.
Online Chat Support
If you prefer typing to talking—or if calling feels too overwhelming right now—several organizations offer online chat-based support:
Chat-Based Resources
- 7 Cups of Tea (7cups.com): Free online chat with trained listeners who can provide emotional support. While not pet-loss-specific, many listeners are experienced with bereavement and will understand your grief. Available 24/7. You can also connect with licensed therapists for a fee.
- Griefshare.org: An online platform that offers both video-based grief support content and connections to local support groups. While primarily focused on human loss, many groups welcome members grieving pet loss.
- Reddit r/PetLoss: An active online community of over 100,000 members who share their stories, offer support, and validate each other's grief. While not professional counseling, the community response can be remarkably compassionate and immediate. Available 24/7.
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (aplb.org): Offers moderated chat rooms specifically for pet loss grief. These are staffed by trained volunteers who understand the unique pain of losing a companion animal. Check the website for current chat schedules.
Support Groups: Virtual & In-Person
Support groups connect you with others who truly understand what you are going through. There is a unique comfort in sitting in a room (physical or virtual) with people who will not say “it was just a pet”—because they know better. For a comprehensive guide to finding groups in your area, visit our article on pet loss support groups near you.
Virtual Support Groups
- Lap of Love Virtual Support Groups: Free monthly Zoom sessions facilitated by licensed social workers. Registration is typically required in advance. Check lapoflove.com for schedules.
- Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support (UK & international): Offers email, phone, and online support for pet loss. Available to anyone, not just UK residents.
- Facebook Groups: Search for “Pet Loss Support” on Facebook to find groups with thousands of active members. Look for groups that are moderated and have clear rules about respectful interaction. Some of the most active include “Pet Loss and Grief Support” and “Rainbow Bridge – Pet Loss Support.”
- The Ralph Site (theralphsite.co.uk): A UK-based nonprofit offering a supportive online community, blog, and resources for pet bereavement. Open to members worldwide.
In-Person Support Groups
In-person pet loss support groups are hosted by veterinary clinics, animal shelters, hospice organizations, and community centers. To find a group near you:
- Ask your veterinarian—they often know about local groups
- Contact local animal shelters and humane societies
- Search “pet loss support group” plus your city on Google
- Check with local hospice organizations, many of which offer general bereavement groups that welcome pet loss
- Contact your local university's veterinary school if one exists in your area
Mobile Apps for Grief Support
When grief hits at 2:00 AM and hotlines are closed, mobile apps can provide immediate comfort and coping tools:
Calm (Free & Premium)
While not pet-loss-specific, Calm offers guided meditations, sleep stories, and breathing exercises that can help manage the physical symptoms of grief—anxiety, insomnia, and racing thoughts. The free version includes several meditation sessions; premium offers a wider library.
Headspace (Free & Premium)
Features a specific “grief” meditation series that guides you through the emotions of loss. The sessions are gentle, compassionate, and designed to help you sit with difficult feelings without being overwhelmed. The free trial provides access to foundational content.
Grief Works (Free & Premium)
Created by grief therapist Julia Samuel, this app offers a structured 25-session grief support program. It includes journaling prompts, educational content about grief, and therapeutic exercises. While designed for all types of loss, its framework applies beautifully to pet loss.
Jour (Free)
A guided journaling app that offers prompts specifically for processing difficult emotions. Writing about your pet, your grief, and your memories can be a powerful therapeutic tool, and the structured prompts help when you do not know where to start.
Free Online Resources
The internet offers a wealth of free resources for pet loss support. Here are the most helpful and reputable:
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (aplb.org): One of the oldest and most respected organizations dedicated to pet loss. Offers articles, chat rooms, counselor referrals, and a memorial page.
- The Grief Recovery Institute (griefrecoverymethod.com): Offers a structured approach to grief recovery with free articles and resources. Their method is evidence-based and widely used by therapists.
- Pet Loss Help (petlosshelp.org): A resource site with articles, poetry, memorial tributes, and links to support services nationwide.
- Rainbow Bridge (rainbowbridge.com): A popular site for creating virtual memorials for pets. Features a large community of pet loss survivors who share tributes and support.
- Psychology Today Therapist Directory: Filter by “pet loss” or “grief” to find therapists in your area who specialize in bereavement counseling. Many offer sliding scale or pro bono sessions.
Books Recommended by Grief Counselors
Sometimes the right book at the right time can be as comforting as a conversation with a friend. These titles are frequently recommended by pet loss counselors and therapists:
- The Loss of a Pet by Wallace Sife, PhD: Considered the definitive book on pet loss. Addresses the unique aspects of the human-animal bond and provides practical coping strategies.
- Goodbye, Friend by Gary Kowalski: A compassionate exploration of pet loss that addresses spiritual questions about animal consciousness and the afterlife.
- Heart Dog: Surviving the Loss of Your Canine Soul Mate by Roxanne Hawn: Specifically for those who have lost their heart dog—the one pet who felt like a soulmate.
- When Your Pet Dies by Alan Wolfelt, PhD: Written by one of the foremost grief experts in the world. Offers gentle, practical guidance for all types of pet loss.
- It's OK That You're Not OK by Megan Devine: While not pet-specific, this groundbreaking book on grief validates the feeling that grief is not something to “fix” and provides radical permission to grieve fully.
- The Pet Loss Companion by Ken Doka and Teresa DeFrancisco: A workbook-style guide with journaling exercises, reflection prompts, and coping techniques specifically for pet loss.
When to Seek Professional Therapy
Hotlines, support groups, and self-help resources are invaluable, but sometimes grief requires the individualized attention of a trained therapist. Consider seeking professional help if you experience any of the following:
- Grief that intensifies rather than gradually softening over weeks and months
- Inability to perform daily activities: work, eating, personal hygiene, social interaction
- Persistent feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt that dominate your thoughts
- Intrusive thoughts about death, self-harm, or harming yourself
- Increased reliance on alcohol, drugs, or other substances to cope
- Pre-existing mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, PTSD) that are worsening
- Relationship strain caused by differences in grieving styles with a partner or family member
- The feeling that no one understands or that you are “going crazy”
A therapist who specializes in pet loss or bereavement will never tell you to “get over it” or suggest your grief is disproportionate. They understand the profound bond between humans and animals and will provide a safe, non-judgmental space to process your emotions.
Finding an Affordable Therapist
- Psychology Today directory: Filter by “grief” and your insurance type. Many therapists offer sliding scale fees.
- Open Path Collective (openpathcollective.org): A nonprofit that connects individuals to therapists offering sessions at $30–$80.
- BetterHelp and Talkspace: Online therapy platforms that offer financial assistance programs. Sessions are conducted via text, phone, or video.
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Many employers offer free counseling sessions through their EAP benefits—typically 3–6 sessions at no cost.
- Community mental health centers: Local centers often offer grief counseling on a sliding scale based on income.
You Are Not Alone
In a world that sometimes dismisses pet loss as minor or insignificant, it can feel isolating to grieve a companion animal. But you are not alone. Millions of pet parents have walked this same path, and countless organizations exist specifically because the human-animal bond is real, powerful, and worthy of support.
Whether you call a hotline tonight, join an online support group this week, or simply bookmark this page for a difficult day in the future, know that help is available whenever you need it. Your grief is a reflection of the love you shared, and that love deserves to be honored, witnessed, and supported.
For more guidance on understanding and navigating your grief, explore our comprehensive pet loss grief guide.
State-by-State Pet Loss Resources
In addition to the national resources listed above, we have created detailed pet loss resource guides for individual states. Each guide includes local hotlines, support groups, veterinary grief counselors, and community organizations near you.
Honor Your Pet's Memory
Creating a memorial for your pet can be a healing step in the grief process. Build a free, lasting tribute where loved ones can share memories, light candles, and leave messages of love.
Create a Free Pet Obituary