Resources
Download your FREE copy of OVC Pet Trust’s Preparing For the Loss of a Pet.
Download your FREE copy of OVC Pet Trust’s Coping with the Loss of a Pet.
Download your FREE copy of OVC Pet Trust’s Helping Children with the Loss of a Pet.
Pet Loss Support Sites
(Ontario, Canada)
The Ontario Veterinary College – OVC Pet Trust
Online Grief / Bereavement Resources
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
Rainbows Bridge – A Pet Loss Grief Support Community
Chance’s Spot: Pet Loss and Grief Support
Recommended Books
Adults
- The Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping with the Grieving Process When a Pet Dies by Wallace Sife, PhD
- When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering and Healing by Alan D Wolfelt PhD
- Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet by Moira Allen M Ed
- Only Gone From Your Sight: Jack McAfghan’s Little Guide to Pet Loss and Grief by Kate McGahan
Kids
- Remembering Blue Fish by Becky Friedman (2-4 yrs)
- Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant (3+ yrs)
- Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant (3+ yrs)
- I’ll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm (3+ yrs)
- The Rainbow Bridge by Adrian Raeside (3-6 yrs)
- The Invisible Leash by Patrice Karst (4-8 yrs)
- Jasper’s Day by Marjorie Blain Parker (6+ yrs)
- Where Do All The Pets Go? A Coloring Book to Help Kids with Pet Loss by Erin N Johnson (4-10 yrs)
- My Dog Died: Coloring Book for Grieving Kids by Marcia Manning (2-5 yrs)
- My Cat Died: Coloring Book for Grieving Kids by Marcia Manning (2-5 yrs)
Pet Loss Support Videos
Pet Loss Healing Analogy – The Difference Between a Car Accident vs. Grieving
Euthanasia, Loss, and Grief of a Companion Cat
When Our Dogs Cross the Rainbow Bridge: A Guide to Grief and Healing
Coping With the Death of Your Pet | Healing From Pet Loss
Overcoming Pet Loss with Proven Strategies
Why Everyone Should Talk About Pet Death | E. B. Bartels | TEDxWellesleyCollege
Grief and Pet Loss: Symptoms You May Experience…
Pet Loss Grief Support Counseling Videogram
Coping with the Death of a Pet with Wendy Van de Poll | EOLU Podcast
Additional Ideas for Memorializing Your Pet:
- Memorial Service
- Host a memorial service for your pet — a time for you and those closest to you to share memories and say a final farewell. If you have your pet’s remains, you might bury them or spread their ashes during this time as well.
- Donate in their Memory
- Reflect on your pet’s favorite activities. Did your pup love to chase tennis balls at the local dog park? Supply the park with a bucket of balls in their honour.
- Was your cat obsessed with glitter balls? Donate a bundle of your kitty’s favorite toy to a local animal shelter in their memory.
- Give to animals in need and honor your pet by giving another animal a second chance at a happy life by donating in your pet’s name to:
- Outdoor Memorial
- Did your pet love to sunbathe in your backyard or lounge in the grass near your garden? Consider creating a special place outside in their memory:
- Put their name on a garden stone and add it to your garden
- Hang a wind chime – personalize a store-bought chime or order an artisanal blown glass one made with your pet’s ashes
- Plant a tree or special flower in your garden or yard in their honor
- Engrave their name on a bench
- Did your pet love to sunbathe in your backyard or lounge in the grass near your garden? Consider creating a special place outside in their memory:
- Scrapbook or Memory Box
- Create a memory scrapbook with pictures of your pet and letters from family members or friends sharing memories or stories about your pet.
- Create a shadow box or memory box containing their collar, leash, tags, clipping of their fur, imprint of their paw, favorite toy or piece of blanket, etc.
- Tattoo
- Some pet parents may choose to carry their pet with them in a more personal — and permanent — way.
- A talented tattoo artist can craft a custom portrait of your pet from a photograph or replicate their actual paw or nose print if you have it on paper
- Enquire with the artist as they may even allow you to incorporate a small amount of your pet’s ashes into the tattoo ink used
- Alternatively, a simple paw print with your pet’s name and/or a heart can also serve as a constant reminder of your faithful companion
- Some pet parents may choose to carry their pet with them in a more personal — and permanent — way.
- Cremation Jewelry or keepsakes
- Carry a bit of their ashes in a pendant, or keychain.
- Paw, feather, tail or 3d impression clay print– these can also be custom colored to match their fur, feather or scale color.
- Clay, wood or silver replica of your pet’s nose to make into a pendant or put on a key chain.
- Hanging ornament – it could include their picture and memorial date information, a fur clipping or an engraved picture or copy of their nose or paw print.