Woman holding dog in black and white

Pet Bereavement

At AWA we recognize and respect how hard it is to lose a beloved animal companion. We understand the feelings of emptiness and grief, as well as how alone and heartbroken many loving pet parents feel when their pet passes.

One of AWA’s unique Community Outreach Programs, the Pet Loss Support Group provides a safe, welcoming, and compassionate space for people to share their emotions surrounding their grief.

Our certified Pet Bereavement specialist will help provide an environment to share your stories and celebrate your pet’s life with others who have experienced a similar loss.

Attend AWA's Pet Bereavement Group

AWA will be hosting virtual and in-person sessions. Each session is 90 minutes long and will hold up to 10 people. Because this is a group session if only 1 person signs up for a session, the session will be cancelled.

There is a suggested donation of $5 to register for the session.

In-person Sessions at AWA

509 Centennial Blvd., Voorhees, NJ 08043

1st Friday of the month 6-7pm

Friday, October 6th

Friday, November 3rd

Friday, December 1st

Virtual Zoom Sessions

Meet with our Pet Bereavement group from the comfort of home.

Last Friday of the month 6-7pm

Friday, October 27th

Friday, November 24th

Friday, December 29th

Heal Together

Sign up to attend one of our in-person or virtual Pet Bereavement group sessions so we can heal together and learn to cope with the loss of a beloved pet.

Pet Bereavement and Grief Resources

These books are great resources to help a child struggling with the loss of a pet. They can be easily found on Amazon

 

Jack’s Journey Over The Rainbow Bridge by Debby Engelhardt

The Invisible Leash: An Invisible String Story About the Loss of a Pet by Patrice Karst

My Pet Memory Book: To Help A Child Through The Loss Of Their Pet by S Wallace

Dear Brave Friend by Leigh Ann Gerk

Healing A Child’s Pet Loss Grief: A Guide for Parents by Wendy Van De Poll

These books are great resources to help anyone struggling with the loss of a pet. They can be easily found on Amazon.

Memories of a Faithful Friend – A Dachshund Pet Grief Book: Sundown Pet Bereavement Journal by Pet Memory Books

Repairing the Heartbreak of Pet Loss Grief: 3 Phases of Healing after Losing Your Best Friend by C Jeffrey

Losing My Best Friend: Thoughtful support for those affected by dog bereavement or pet loss by Jeannie Wycherley

 

Check out these links for more materials:

Grief- Indication and Coping Strategies

Seven Stages of Grief

MENTAL HEALTH DISCLAIMER:

The loss of an animal companion can lead to challenging emotional responses that warrant professional mental health support which is beyond the scope and training of the Animal Welfare Association’s staff. While we are here to provide compassionate grief support, we are unable to appropriately evaluate human mental health concerns and do not provide mental health counseling. Our Pet Loss Support Group is not intended to directly support or provide a substitute for definitive mental health care, especially in a crisis. We may be able to help you find pet loss support resources in your area, but we cannot provide referrals to specific mental health services.

If you or someone you’re concerned about is depressed, unable to cope, or having thoughts of self-harm or harming others, IMMEDIATELY call 911 for local emergency service, or call:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988

24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress. Prevention and crisis resources.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Additional emergency and crisis services include:

Suicide Hotline Numbers by State

Suicide prevention, awareness, and support

Suicide Hotlines

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds from the Crisis Text Line’s secure online platform.

Crisis Text Line

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

988

Text NAMI to 741741

Confidential, free crisis counseling

National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)

211

Call 211 to get immediate, expert help and also to find on-going local support.

211

Veterans Crisis Line

988 ext.1

24/7 service for veterans and their loved ones

Veterans Crisis Line

The Trevor Project

866-488-7386 or text START to 678678

24/7 crisis and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ people

The Trevor Project

Listeners on Call

Connect anyone, anywhere, anytime with someone who has a related personal experience and is ready to listen. Visit their site for pricing information and to download their app.

Listeners On Call

More Community Programs

Community Outreach Programs

At AWA, our mission extends far beyond rescue and adoptions and into local communities. Our growing list of community outreach

Pet Retention & Rehoming Resources

Pet Retention Are you or a loved one facing a crisis situation? Before you decide to rehome your pet, please

Resources

Pet Food Pantry

The Animal Welfare Association's Pet Food Pantry Program assists the community in providing temporary nutritional needs for those struggling with

Education Programs

AWA’s Educational programming teaches people of all ages to understand and care for animals by fostering compassion, respect, and empathy

Vets on Wheels

Bringing free and accessible pet care to the City of Camden.​ The Animal Welfare Association's Vets on Wheels program offers

Flyer with multiple dogs and cats promoting AWA's Subaru Loves Pets Month