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.

AWA’s 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 & 3rd Thursday of the month 6:30- 8pm

Thursday, March 2nd

Thursday, March 16th

Thursday, April 6th

Thursday, April 20th

Thursday, May 4th

Thursday, May 18th

Thursday, June 1st

Thursday, June 15th

Thursday, August 3rd

Thursday, August 17th

Thursday, September 7th

Thursday, September 21st

Thursday, October 5th

Thursday, October 19th

Thursday, November 2nd

Thursday, November 16th

Thursday, December 7th

Thursday, December 21st

Virtual Zoom Sessions

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

2nd Sunday of the month 11am-12:30pm

Sunday, Mar 12th

Sunday, April 9th

Sunday, May 14th

Sunday, June 11th

Sunday, August 13th

Sunday, September 10th

Sunday, October 8th

Sunday, November 12th

Sunday, December 10th

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 the community. 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

Lost and Found

AWA is committed to the best outcome for lost or found animals, but remember that we are not the first

Vets on Wheels

Bringing affordable and accessible pet care to the City of Camden. Held At: Von Nieda Park, Camden NJCheck back for

Pet Bereavement

At AWA we recognize and respect how hard it is to lose a beloved animal companion. We understand the feelings

Paws and Feet 23 activities flyer