This area of our website has been created to offer you the information and support that you might need to better understand the grief you feel with the loss of a pet. Our consoler Fran Gibbs is available to talk with you about the process and emotions involved with putting a beloved pet to sleep.

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Pet Loss resources for Adults

Books
Life Beyond Loss, by Kenneth I. Doka, Ph.D. (Guideline Publications). Even though this booklet is about humans, not animals, it is an excellent general guide, written in layman’s terms by a very experienced counselor. It addresses problem areas of grief recovery, and gives constructive suggestions using the personal experiences of others.
Pet Loss - a Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children, by Herbert A. Nieburg and Arlene Fischer (HarperCollins). Abook,bya pet-bereavement counselor, that should be read by every Veterinarian and pet owner and kept in their own library for eventual use in time of need by themselves or others experiencing the loss of a pet.
Pet Love, by Betty White (William Morrow). A helpful book by the actress and past-president of the Morris Animal Foundation.
When Your Pet Dies, by James E. Quackenbush (Simon & Schuster). A superb book, by the nation’s first full-time pet bereavement counselor, with easy-to-read chapters directed toward common human experiences at the loss of a companion animal.
Explaining Death to Children, by Earl Grollman (Beacon Press). Though not pertaining to pet loss, this book gives parents practical advice and guidance to help their children understand death.

Pet Loss Support Hotline
Not a publication, but rather a model telephone hotline service offered by the University of California - Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. Staffed by students, the service is free (except for the cost of the phone call) and is available Monday - Friday, 6:30p.m. - 10:30 p.m. (Pacific Time) at (916) 7524200. They cannot return long-distance calls.

The Delta Society, P.O. Box 1080, Renton, WA 98057-1080, phone (206) 226-7357. A non-profit membership organization offering video rental and written material. A directory of pet-loss counselors and other helpful materials are available in a Pet Loss/Bereavement resource packet. (Pet loss seminars and workshops are offered in various parts of the country and at Delta’s annual fall conference.)

Pet Loss resources for Older Children

Lifetimes, by Brian Mellonie and Robert Ingpen (Bantam Books). A nicely-illustrated book for all age groups, describing in a loving way the life cycles of animals, plants and people.
Charlotte’s Web, byE. B. White (HarperCollins). A beautiful story, about a spider, a rat and a pig, which teaches the value of friendship when a death occurs.
Growing Time, by Sandol Stoddard Warburg (Houghton Mifflin). A young boy experiences various feelings of separation and loss through the death of his dog and the intrusions of a new pet.
Living with Death, by Judith Bisignano (Good Apple Publications). An illustrated book, for use in home and classroom, offering important and appropriate life-death experiences in the daily life of a child and how to better cope with them. (A version for younger children, ages 4-10, also is available.)
The Yearling, by Marjorie Rawlings (Macmillan Publishing). A story which treats with sensitivity the killing of a pet fawn to insure the survival of a family.
It Must Hurt a itby Doris Sanford (Multnomah Press). A book describing a boy’s reactions of anger, grief and eventual acceptance when his dog dies. Includes suggestions to parents for helping a chilti deal with loss.

Pet Loss resources for Younger Children

Answers to a Child’s Ouestions About Death, by Peter Stillinan (Guideline Publications). An illustrated booklet which answers in simple terms many questions young children have regarding death. Though not referring specifically to pet loss, it is designed to help an adult explain to a child a loss by death. Also useful with older children and adults.
The Dead Bird, by Mataret Wise Brown (HarperCollins). A picture book that will help a child understand the finality of death through the help of a funeral, a burial and a memorial service.
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney. by Judith Viorst (Macmillan Publishing). A warm and honest story dealing with the death of a loved cat.
Freddie. the Leaf. by Leo Buscaglia (Holt, Rinehart and Winston). A leaf, ‘reddie, compares the seasons of the tree with the cycle of life and death.
The Accident, by Carol Carrick (Houghton Mifflin). When a boy’s pet is killed by a car he first blames the driver, then himself, but eventually realizes that placing blame will not bring his pet back to life.
Mustard, by Charlotte Graeber (Macmillan Publishing). Eight year old Alex must face the increasing infirmities and eventual death of Mustard, his cat.
I’ll Always Love You, by Hans Wilhelm (Crown Publications). A sweet and touching illustrated story about a boy’s dog that dies of old age.