Pet Farewells Support
Resources for Loss and Grief
Find a wealth of resources for coping with pet loss & grief, including support groups, children and adult book recommendations, grief counselors, and useful websites geared towards pet loss support.
Emotional Support
Resources to Ease the Loss of Your Beloved Pet
Pet Loss Books for Adults
- We recommend reading reviews/summaries of the book prior to purchasing/reading to ensure it will be a good fit for you.
- A Final Act of Caring: Ending the Life of an Animal Friend by Mary and herb Montgomery
- And I Love You Still...A Thoughtful Guide and Remembrance Journal for Healing the Loss of a Pet by Julianne Corbin, Ph.D.
- Bill at Rainbow Bridge by Dan Carrison
- Buried Deep in our Hearts by Tracie Barton-Barrett
- Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates: A Book of Hope for Those Who Have Lost a Pet by Gary Kurz
- Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet by Moira Anderson Allen M.Ed.
- Heart Dog: Surviving the Loss of Your Canine Soul Mate by Roxanne Hawn
- Missing Pieces… Broken Heart: A Recovery Guide for the Grief and Sorrow of Pet Loss by B.J. Shonk
- Three Cats, Two Dogs: One Journey through Multiple Pet Loss by David Congalton
- The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice from Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups by Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez
- Sit, Stay, Heal by Renee Alsaraff – This book is written by my colleague and former boss, but more importantly my friend, who is an amazing human being and veterinarian. Although not directly related to pet loss, it is an inspirational tribute to the human-animal bond in its deepest form and worth the read.
- When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering, and Healing by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.
Pet Loss Books for Children
- We recommend reading reviews/summaries of the book prior to reading it to a child to ensure it aligns with your families thoughts/feelings/values/beliefs.
- Always Remember by Cece Meng
- A Rainbow Bridge for Gus: A Story about the Loss of a Pet by Barbara Bareis Rigabar
- Bill at the Rainbow Bridge by Dan Carrison - Best for teens
- Cat Heaven by Cynthia Ryant
- Death of a Pet by Shirl and J.W. Potter and George J. Koss
- Dog Heaven by Cynthia Ryant
- Don’t Say Goodbye, Just Say See You! by Patricia A. Brill, PhD
- Forever Paws by Christine Davis
- For Every Cat an Angel by Christine Davis
- For Every Dog an Angel by Christine Davis
- Grief is a Mess by Jackie Schuld
- I Miss My Pet by Pat Thomas - Best for younger children
- Jasper’s Day by Marjorie Blain Parker
- My Pet Memory Book: To Help a Child through the Loss of Their Pet by S. Wallace
- The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr - Best for younger children
- The Invisible Leash by Patrice Karst
- Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas
- Tear Soup by Pat Schweibert and Chuck DeKlyen
- When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers
Finding Comfort
Loss and Grief Support Services
Deborah Antinori, MA, LPC, NCC, RDT, FT
Julie Corbin, Ph.D., LPC
Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW
Support Groups for Coping with Pet Loss
AMC Virtual Pet Loss Support Groups
Oradell Animal Hospital Virtual Pet Bereavement Support
St. Hubert’s Virtual Pet Loss Support Group
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (fee membership required for meeting)
2nd and 4th Saturday of each month 7PM-9PM
Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline
Available Thursday and Sunday 6-9PM
Useful Pet Loss Websites Offering Information & Support
24 Hour Emergency Pet Hospitals
While we would be honored to help your family when it’s time to say goodbye, we understand that sometimes emergencies happen or things change quickly and we may not be available. Here is a list of emergency hospitals that are open 24/7 in case you need them.
Newton Veterinary Hospital - Newton (Sussex County)
973-383-4321
Oradell Animal Hospital – Paramus (Bergen County)
201-262-0010
Animerge - Raritan (Somerset County)
908-707-9077
BluePearl - Paramus (Bergen County)
201-527-6699
Westfield Veterinary Group – Union (Union County)
908-777-8387