Welcome to Pets & People - the support network for grieving pet owners...
Loving animals is an important part of being human
Losing an animal friend can feel as devastating as losing a human loved one...
Share the loss of your pet with a therapist who will understand and support you...
Our 24 / 7 Pet Loss Support Line
Australia: 1300 431 450 NZ: 0800 114 421
PLEASE NOTE: This is a toll free number, but once connected with professional, the counselling rates will vary according to the service provider.
Understanding grief & loss
Reactions to grief can be manifested many different ways - some of which might be...
- feelings - of anxiety, fear, sadness, anger, guilt
- thoughts - such as confusion, preoccupation and disbelief
- physical reactions - like sleep disturbances, empty sensation in stomach, breathlessness or tightness in the chest
- behaviour - such as crying, sighing, hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, social withdrawal
These are only some of the ways that grief is manifested and everyone's experience will be unique to them and their loss.
Unfortunately, the grief associated with the loss of a pet is often the most misunderstood. Family and friends often mean well, but can sometimes dismiss your pain and distress...
You are not alone...
Pets and People was founded by Dr Michael O’Donoghue and Penny Carroll to provide a supportive process to help people through the grief experienced with the loss of a companion animal.
Counselling can help...
Not all counsellors specialise in grief and even less deal with the grief associated with Pet Loss. But help is at hand.
Our aim at Pets and People is to help connect pet owners with qualified and experienced pet loss counsellors who are ready and willing to support people in this difficult time. We have compiled a list of resources, both paid and complimentary, to help you work through your grief.
Recommended Pet Loss & Grief articles
Emotional Value of Pets is Underestimated
Having a pet can meet many human psycho-social needs and has been undervalued in the field of mental health, says the author of a comprehensive review of human-pet bonds published today in the journal Family Process. The research, by Dr. From a Walsh of the Center for Family Health at the University of Chicago, finds […]
Readers answer – ‘Should Pets be Shown that Its Partner Pet is Dead?’
By ‘Cow’ This already happened, but I’m still not sure if I made the right decision. I love my cats very much, and when one of them, Smokie, died of cancer, I didn’t want the second one to always wonder a) If the cat had abandoned us, or b) If the cat might come home […]
Jasper’s Day
A Reader’s Review: “You can’t read this story without a tissue. This is a touching story about a boy Riley who wants to make his retriever Jasper’s last day very special. Together the family celebrates what a great companion Jasper has been by visiting many of the places that have been special to […]
Dr Michael O’Donoghue establishes Australia’s first Pet Loss Support hotline on 1300 431 450
Grieving animal lovers can now call a national hotline that has been set up to connect people with qualified and experienced counsellor who can help them cope with their loss. At the time of launch there were 10 service counsellors based across Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane – with the service continuing to expand and […]
Follow us on Facebook
Pets and People
While it’s not always possible, planning ahead for your pet’s death may make the process of grieving a bit easier.
Many people don’t realise I can support them when their pet has started to deteriorate and when planning for the next stage/s. We don’t like to face death, however preparing and planning can help you, your family and your beautiful pet. Reach out to see how I can help you.