The team at Partner Veterinary recognizes and understands this. We, too, are pet owners and pet lovers who have lost pets of our own. We hope that this resource helps you through this very difficult time.
The decisions you face at the end of your pet’s life are never easy. Your veterinarian can discuss alternatives and the prognosis for your pet but it is also important for you to know that your feelings of grief, sadness, and fear are both normal and healthy. In addition to these resources, please seek the support of your friends, loved ones, support groups, and healthcare professionals. While this will not replace the loss of a loved one, it can provide comfort.
Pet Loss Support and Hotlines
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
VCU Center for Human-Animal Interaction
PAL People. Love. Animals.
Phone: 202-966-2171
To speak with one of our grief counselors, text or leave a message
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Phone: 800.273.TALK (8255)
A free, 24-hour support line available to anyone in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis.
Remembrance & Memorialization
Communal Cremation – In areas where land is expensive, communal cremation is a sensible alternative. Many pet cemeteries have their own crematoriums where many pets are cremated during the same cycle. Your pet’s dignity… This is the least expensive method of disposition.
Individual or Private Cremation – Individual/Private cremation of your pet will allow you to take time to select a FINAL disposition for you pet’s cremains. Cremains may be buried, stored in a columbarium at a pet cemetery, scattered in a favorite spot, or kept at home in a decorative urn. These options are more costly than communal cremation.
Journey Pet Services
10800 Laurel Hill Drive
Frostburg, MD21532
P: 301.689.3599
Agape Pet Services
1001 Tech Park Place
Sandston, VA 23150
P:804-737-8400
Custom Paw Print
Would you like a custom paw print to memorialize your pet? Please ask a Partner Veterinary team member about custom paw prints from JOURNEY.
Other Memorialization Options
Life Gem created Diamonds
Paws & Remember
Peartree Studio
Pet Memorial Jewelry
Perfect Memorials
Pets We Loved
Pet Loss Books for Adults
- Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet, 2nd Edition. Anderson, M.
- Grieving the Death of a Pet. Carmack, Betty J.
- Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet. Kowalski, G.
- It’s Ok to Cry. Quintana, M. L., Veleba, S. L., King, H. G. .
- A 30 Day Guide to Healing from the Loss of Your Pet. Ross, G. J.
- The Loss of a Pet. Sife, W.
- When Your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering and Healing. Wolfelt, A. D.
Pet Loss Books for Children
- The Forever Dog. Mike and Corky do everything together until one day Corky is gone. Cochran, B.
- Saying Goodbye to Lulu. After her dog dies, a little girl grieves but continues her life. Demas, C. & Hoyt, A.
- A Gift from Rex: Guiding Children through Life and Loss. Suggestions on how to facilitate a child’s feelings while providing counsel to adults who are also grieving. Kramer, J.
- A Special Place for Charlee: A Child’s Companion Through Pet Loss. Legitimizing the loss of a child’s pet dog. Morehead, D.
- When a Pet Dies. Talks to children about a pet dying. Rogers, F.
- The Tenth Good Thing About Barney. When Barney, the cat, dies the family holds a funeral to remember him. Viorst, J.
- Sammy in the Sky. When Sammy, the hound dog’s, life is cut short by illness, the girl’s family keeps his spirit alive. Walsh, B.
- I’ll Always Love You. Death of an old pet dog, Elfie. Wilhelm, H.