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Posted On Sep 24, 2024

Updated On Jun 25, 2025

Pet Loss Support Service Resources

Pet Loss & Grief Support

Book Recommendations for Adults

- Kessler, David (2020). Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. Scribner.

- Carmack, Betty J. (2003). Grieving the Death of a Pet. Augsburg Fortress.

- Greene, L. & Landis, J. (2002). Saying goodbye to the pet you love: A complete resource to help you heal. New Harbinger Publications. 

- Kowalski, G. (2012). Goodbye friend: Healing wisdom for anyone who has ever lost a pet. New World Library. 

- Wallace, S. (2014). The loss of a pet: A guide to coping with the grieving process when a pet dies. Howell Book House. 

- Wolfelt, A. D. (2004). When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering and Healing. Companion Press.

- Pierce, J. (2014). The last walk: Reflections on our pets at the end of their lives. University of Chicago Press.

 - Ragan, L. (2015). Signs From Pets In The Afterlife: Identifying Messages From Pets In Heaven

Websites & General Resources for Adults

- Best Friends Animal Society pet loss and grief resources. Links to websites, articles, books, and hotlines to help manage pet loss and grief. 

- Grief Healing Blog - An assortment of literature related to pet loss compiled by grief counsellor, Marty Tousley. 

- The Pet Loss Support Page contains a wealth of information pertaining to pet loss including reading material, links to pet loss hotlines and support groups across the United States. 

- The Support Network for Grieving Pet Owners (Australia and New Zealand)

- Coping with the loss of a pet - AVMA

  

Book Recommendations for Youth 

- The Dougy Center. (2018). Deconstruction/Reconstruction: A Grief Journal for Teens. The Dougy Center.

- Wolfelt, A. D. (2001). Healing a Teen’s Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas for Families, Friends and Caregivers. Companion Press.

- Wolfelt, A.D. (2001). Healing Your Grieving Heart ‘For Teens’: 100 Practical Ideas. Companion Press.

 

Websites & General Resources for Youth 

- Grief Out Loud – Podcast produced by The Dougy Center. 

 

Book Recommendations for Children & Parents

- Adams, J. (2007). The Dragonfly Door. Feather Rock Books, Inc. 

- Grollman, E. A. (2011). Talking about Death: A Dialogue between Parent and ChildBoston: Beacon Press

- Heegaard Eaton, M. (2001) Saying Goodbye to Your Pet: Children Can Learn to Cope with Pet Loss. Fairview Press. 

- Krasny Brown, L., & Brown, M (1998). When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

- Mansfield, M. (2011). When You Have to Say Goodbye, Loving and Letting Go of Your Pet. Beanpole Books.

- Sugar. A. (2016). Our Love Lives on For Miles in Heaven. Pawsitive Resources. 

- Sugar, A. (2018). When Friendship Lives Beyond the StarsPawsitive Resources.

- Loewen, N. (2011) Good-bye, Jeepers: What to expect when your pet dies. Picture Window Books

Websites & General Resources for Children & Parents

- Veterinary Wisdom for Pet Parents kids & grief resource page 

- Pet loss support e-mail series for parents, 10 emails sent over 10 days

- Pet loss resources for children, including books, articles, and websites to help children manage the loss of a pet. Also includes information on helping surviving pets deal with the grief of losing another animal in the home.

Anticipatory Grief and End-of-Life Decision Resources

- Veterinary Wisdom for Pet Parents

- Knowing When It’s Time to Say Goodbye – A resource for decision-making (written and audio version available) 


Online Support Groups

- Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Support Chat Room

- Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement Chat Rooms

 

Crisis Resources

- Crisis Text Line 

- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

- Suicide Prevention Helpline: 800-273-TALK (8255)

Complicated Grief Resources

- The Center for Complicated Grief resources, articles, and self-assessments

- Cruse Bereavement Care resources on complicated grief

Memorialization

- Veterinary Wisdom - How to Memorialize Your Pet

- DeMello, M. (Ed.). (2016). Mourning animals: Rituals and practices surrounding animal death. MSU Press. 

Animal Grief

- King, B. J. (2013). How animals grieve. University of Chicago Press.