Pet Loss Counselling

Welcome to the Fraser Valley Feline Welfare Society's Pet Loss Counselling Page.

We understand how hard it is to anticipate the loss or lose a pet.

This support service is provided by an experienced, certified counsellor that is trauma-informed, culturally safe and specializes in grief, compassion fatigue, pet loss bereavement.

This service is available to anyone, anywhere, by donation.

Pet loss counselling (or pet bereavement counselling) is professional, compassionate support helping people navigate the intense grief, sadness, guilt, and complex emotions that come with losing a beloved animal companion, offering coping strategies, a safe space to process feelings, and guidance through the healing process, including difficult end-of-life decisions like euthanasia. It validates the human-animal bond, recognizing pets as family, and addresses unique challenges like anticipatory grief or unresolved feelings, helping owners find peace and remember their pets with happiness.

What it involves:

Empathetic Listening: A compassionate space to share your pain without judgment.
Coping Strategies: Tools to manage intense emotions like sadness, guilt, anger, or loneliness.
Understanding Grief: Normalizing the grieving process, which can include depression, sleep/appetite changes, and difficulty focusing.
Anticipatory Grief: Support for the grief experienced before a pet's death, especially with terminal illness.
Euthanasia Support: Processing guilt and heartache surrounding end-of-life decisions.
Healing & Memorializing: Guidance on creating memorials, embracing memories, and eventually finding peace.
Support Groups: Connecting with others who understand this specific loss.

When to seek it:

Feeling overwhelming sadness, depression, or emptiness.
Struggling with daily functions or loss of interest in activities.
Experiencing guilt, anger, or repetitive negative thoughts.
When the loss feels isolating or misunderstood by others.

How to find help:

Search for local therapists specializing in pet loss.
Contact organizations like the BC Bereavement Helpline or Lap of Love for resources.
Utilize online therapy or support groups.
Call 211 in North America for immediate support referrals.