Helplines & Support
Finding the support you need
Losing a beloved pet is never easy. Pets are family, and when they pass away, the grief can be just as deep as losing a loved one. It’s important to remember that what you’re feeling is real—and that you don’t have to go through it alone.
Talking to someone can make a world of difference. Whether that’s a close friend, a family member, or a trained counsellor, having someone who listens and understands your loss can help you process your grief in a healthier way.
Why Talking Helps:
- Shared grief lightens the load – speaking about your feelings reduces isolation.
- Understanding and validation – others who have experienced pet loss can reassure you that your grief is normal.
- Guidance through difficult days – trained counsellors and support groups can provide coping strategies.
- Space to heal – conversations give you permission to grieve, reflect, and remember your pet.
Allow yourself time and space—grief doesn’t follow a timeline.
Support Services for Pet Loss
Here are trusted helplines, counselling options, and support networks available in the UK:
Helplines & Counselling Services:
- Blue Cross Pet Loss Support Service
- Helpline: 0800 096 6606 (every day, 8:30 am–8:30 pm)
- Email: pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk
- Offers confidential support via phone, email, and live chat from trained volunteers.
- Cats Protection – Paws to Listen (for cat owners)
- 0800 024 9494 (Mon–Fri, 9 am–5 pm)
- Provides support and resources for feline bereavement.
- British Horse Society – Friends at the End (for equine loss)
- 02476 840517 (Mon–Thu 8:35 am–5 pm; Fri till 3 pm)
- Offers confidential support for horse owners facing retirement or loss.
- Animal Samaritans Pet Bereavement Service
- 0203 745 9859
- Free emotional support for anyone grieving a pet.
Private Counselling & Online Support:
- Rainbow Moments
- One-to-one bereavement counselling via Zoom/phone across the UK.
- Free 15-minute discovery call; sessions around £30.
- Life After Pet Loss UK
- Free e-book and 7-week support programme.
- Virtual coaching for emotional healing.
- Pet Loss Support Group (UK)
- Group sessions with shared stories and peer support.
- “A safe, supportive space to share—you are not alone.”
Specialist Support:
- Canine Partners – Bereavement Packs
- For owners of assistance dogs (working, retiring, or sudden loss).
- Includes memorial guidance and external resources.
Memorial & Coping Resources:
- Companion Care: Suggestions like planting a tree, creating paw print keepsakes, or donating in your pet’s memory.
- RSPCA: Highlights peer support and directs people to Blue Cross, Cats Protection, and British Horse Society.
Beyond Pet Loss:
Sometimes grief feels overwhelming or connects with other areas of life. These organisations can help:
- Cruse Bereavement Care – 0808 808 1677
- Samaritans – 116 123 (available 24/7 for any emotional crisis)
Helping Children Through Pet LossChildren often experience the loss of a pet as their first encounter with death. How they grieve may look different depending on their age:
- Young children may not fully understand permanence and could ask repeated questions. Gentle, honest answers help them process.
- School-aged children might show sadness, anger, or withdrawal. Creative outlets like drawing, stories, or memory boxes can help them express feelings.
- Teenagers may struggle to talk about emotions openly. Encouraging open conversation and giving them space to grieve in their own way is key.
Tips for parents:
- Be honest—avoid phrases like “gone away” which can confuse.
- Encourage them to talk, share memories, or create rituals (planting a flower, framing a photo).
- Model healthy grieving—let them see it’s okay to cry and remember fondly.
Supporting children through pet loss is about giving them reassurance, honesty, and ways to keep their pet’s memory alive.
What You Can Do Now:
- Call a helpline – Blue Cross is a good place to start, no matter what type of pet you’ve lost.
- Join a support group – Talking with others who understand can help you feel less alone.
- Create a memorial – Plant a tree, make a photo album, or donate in your pet’s name.
- Reach out to friends or family – Sometimes the simplest comfort comes from those closest to you.
- Seek professional counselling – If grief feels overwhelming, professional support can make all the difference.
Local Support in Derby:
If you’d like help finding local pet loss support groups, memorial events, or counsellors in Derby, please reach out—we’re here to connect you with the right services.If you are a pet behaviour counsellor offering in-person appointments in our coverage area, please get in touch and we will add your details to this page.
Remember: losing a pet is a genuine grief experience. Talking to someone who understands can help you heal, step by step.
