Websites + Contact Info
This is an ever-growing list of valuable pet-related online resources meant to support you in a variety of circumstances, particularly when you’re grieving. (Note: If there’s a site that’s proven helpful to you, or if you’ve created a site you’d like to have included, please drop me a line.)
For when you, or someone you love, is in crisis mode
National Suicide and Crisis Hotline: https://988lifeline.org/ OR call/text 988
For deaf/hard of hearing: https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/for-deaf-hard-of-hearing/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK(8255)
24/7 Crisis Text Line: https://www.crisistextline.org/ OR text HOME to 741741
Suicide Hotline Numbers by State: http://www.suicide.org/suicide-hotlines.html
The Trevor Project (24/7 crisis and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ people): https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ OR call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
Warning signs for suicide: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention
For when you need pet loss-specific hotlines
or additional support group sessions
National Pet Loss Hotline: Lap of Love Pet Loss & Bereavement Resource Line: 1-855-352-LOVE (5683)
Resource Line Hours: 10:00am - 9:00pm EST Monday-Friday
Chicago Veterinary Medical Association: https://www.chicagovma.org/pet-loss-support/ / call 1-630-325-1600
Colorado State University Argus Institute: https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/argus/pet-loss-support/
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Support: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/impact/community-impact/pet-loss-support-hotline / call 1-607-218-7457
(The hotline is available via Google Voice to facilitate support Thursday and Sunday 6:00pm - 9:00PM EST.)
University of California, Davis Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Resources: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/grief-counseling/pet-loss-resources
Gateway Services, Inc. Pet Compassion Careline (provides 24/7 grief support with trained counselors): https://www.gatewayservicesinc.com/pet-compassion-careline (Note: this organization, based out of Ontario, Canada, must be contacted first for the careline information.)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine: https://vetmed.illinois.edu/hospital/veterinary-teaching-hospital/client-counseling/ / call 1-217-244-2273 (CARE) for counseling services
Michigan State University Pet Loss Support Group: https://cvm.msu.edu/hospital/services/social-work/pet-loss-support-group
North Carolina State Veterinary Hospital: https://hospital.cvm.ncsu.edu/resources/pet-loss-support/ / call 1-919-513-3901
Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine: https://vet.tufts.edu/pet-loss-support-hotline / call 1-508-839-7966
(The hotline is staffed from 6pm - 9pm EST Monday-Thursday and has 24-hour voicemail. Calls left on the voicemail will be returned at the next scheduled shift.)
For when you’d like additional pet-specific grief information
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement: https://www.aplb.org/
Grief Healing: https://www.griefhealing.com/help-lines-message-boards-chats.htm
Hoofbeats in Heaven (specifically for horse loss): www.hoofbeats-in-heaven.com
Lightning Strike Pet Loss Support: https://www.lightning-strike.com/index.htm
Pet Loss Grief Support: www.petloss.com
The Pet Loss Support Page: www.pet-loss.net
Pet Loss Support Group (via Facebook): www.facebook.com/petloss
Rainbows Bridge: www.rainbowbridge.com
For when you need compassionate end-of-life services
Animal Humane Society: https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/end-life-services
Lap of Love: https://www.lapoflove.com/
The Tilly Project: https://thetillyproject.org
For when you’re looking for local pet cemetery and crematory options
International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories: https://www.iaopc.com/ (use their online search tool to find locations in your state/country)
For when you’re seeking additional methods and tools for emotional healing
Francis Weller: https://www.francisweller.net/ (specifically his upcoming grief workshops and rituals)
Jon Kabat-Zinn: https://jonkabat-zinn.com (specifically his mindfulness meditation practices)
Kristin Neff: https://self-compassion.org (specifically her guided self-compassion meditations)
Sharon Salzberg: https://www.sharonsalzberg.com (specifically her guided metta/lovingkindness meditations)
Tara Brach: https://www.tarabrach.com/ (specifically her guided meditations and RAIN method)
For when you need comprehensive resources for keeping your pet healthy
American Animal Hospital Association: https://www.aaha.org/
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association: https://www.ahvma.org/ (specifically for finding local holistic vets)
American Veterinary Medical Association: https://www.avma.org/ (specifically for their Resources & Tools section)
Animal Help Now 24/7: https://ahnow.org/ (specifically for wildlife emergencies)
Animal Poison Control Center 24/7: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/ / call 1-855-764-7661
Cornell Feline Health Center: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center (specifically for cats)
Fetch by WebMd: https://www.webmd.com/pets/default.htm
Forever Dog: www.foreverdog.com and www.planetpaws.ca (specifically for dogs)
House Rabbit Society: https://houserabbit.org/ (specifically for rabbits)
PetMD: https://www.petmd.com/
For when you’re looking for animal- and environment-related charities and organizations
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: www.aspca.org
Best Friends Animal Society: https://bestfriends.org/
The Clean Air Task Force: https://www.catf.us/
The Coalition for Rainforest Nations: https://www.rainforestcoalition.org/
Eden Reforestation Projects: https://www.edenprojects.org/
The Good Food Institute: https://gfi.org/
The Humane League: https://thehumaneleague.org/
The Humane Society of the United States: https://www.humanesociety.org/
Mercy for Animals: https://mercyforanimals.org/
New Roots Institute: https://www.newrootsinstitute.org/
Pet Partners (specifically for therapy animals): https://petpartners.org/
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: https://seashepherd.org/
The Wild Animal Initiative: https://www.wildanimalinitiative.org/
World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/