grief support

Pets are cherished members of the family. Unfortunately, one of the inevitable parts of having a beloved pet is saying goodbye.

Friends and family can be a comfort in this time of need; however, if they don't have pets, they may not understand why losing a pet is so difficult for you. Below are Web sites and hotlines that can help you in your time of need.

All of the following sites offer resources on dealing with the grief of losing a beloved pet. Most of them allow pet owners to set up a virtual tribute for their pets that have passed on.

Prefer to talk to someone? There are many hotlines that can help. These lines are all staffed with volunteers, many of them veterinary students trained in grief support. All of the following hotlines' services are free, although the call may not be toll-free (sorted by time zone of operation).

24-Hour:

  • The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) National Pet Hotline

    800.946.4646
    Use keypad to enter pin number 140-7211, then your own phone number. The call will be returned immediately.
    More information

Eastern:

  • Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine

    517.432.2696
    Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday between 6:30pm-9:30pm EST
    More information

  • University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine

    352.392.4700, ext. 4080
    Call and leave your name and number. You will be called back between 7:00pm-9:00pm EST. Messages are checked daily. (If messages have already been checked for the day when you call, your call will be returned the next evening.)

  • Tufts University

    508.839.7966
    Monday thru Friday between 6:00pm-9:00pm EST

  • Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Companion Animal Hospital

    607.253.3932
    Tuesday thru Thursday between 6:00pm-9:00pm EST
    More information

  • The Ohio State University

    614.292.1823
    Monday, Wednesday, & Friday between 6:00pm-9:00pm EST

  • Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

    540.231.8038
    Tuesday & Thursday between 6:00pm-9:00pm EST

Central:

  • Companion Animal Association of Arizona, Inc.

    602.995.8558
    Calls are received on an answering machine and are returned as soon as possible. Long-distance calls will be returned collect.

  • C.A.R.E. Helpline for Companion Animal Related Emotions (University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital)

    Toll Free: 877.394.2273
    Local:217.244.2273
    Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday between 7:00pm-9:00pm CST
    More information

  • The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association

    630.325.1600
    Call and leave a message at anytime. A volunteer will call back Monday thru Friday between 7:00pm-9:00pm CST

  • Iowa State University

    888.478.7574
    September thru April: 7 days a week between 6:00pm-9:00pm CST
    May thru August: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday between 6:00pm-9:00pm CST

    • Mountain:

    • The Argus Institute for Families and Veterinary Medicine

      970-297-1242
      Monday thru Friday between 9:00am-5:00pm MST
      More information

    Pacific:

    • University of California-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Animals in Society

      800.565.1526
      Monday thru Friday between 6:30pm-9:30pm PST
      Summer Hours: Tuesday thru Thursday between 6:30pm-9:30pm PST

    • Washington State University

      509.335.5704
      Monday thru Thursday between 6:30pm-9:00pm PST
      Saturday between 1:00pm-3:00pm PST
      Calls received after hours will be promptly returned on a collect basis.

    Canada:

    • Pacific Animal Therapy Society (P.A.T.S.)

      250.389.8047
      Call between 8am-9pm PST any day of the week. All long-distance calls are returned collect.