Coping with losing a pet
Welcome to our page for those affected by the death of a pet.
The loss of a much loved pet can be devastating, Pets provide unconditional love, companionship, emotional support and comfort, and for many people they are central to family life. Yet pet bereavement often remains an overlooked and misunderstood form of grief, leaving many people feeling isolated or reluctant to seek support.
Recognising this growing need, The Good Grief Trust is expanding its work to ensure that people grieving the death of a much-loved animal companion receive the same compassion, understanding and access to support as anyone experiencing bereavement.
This new page will be developed over the coming months to offer dedicated pet bereavement resources, bringing together trusted specialist organisations, practical guidance and emotional support within our national platform.
Blue Cross Charity – Bereavement Support
Live Chat. Real People. Genuine Support.
For 30 years, The Blue Cross charity have been helping people to cope with the loss of a pet, either through death, enforced separation or theft. With a free and confidential helpline, webchat, email and Facebook group, you can find support when and where you need it.
‘Just as you’ve held the hearts (and paws or hooves) of your beloved companions throughout their lives, our Pet Loss Support team is here to hold your hand when joy turns to sadness’.
No one should face the pain of losing a pet alone. Their Pet Loss Support team is available for you every day of the year.
Note – All of their services are run by real people and provide genuine support from 8.30am to 8.30pm, every day.
BLUE CROSS BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
The Dogs Trust
Bereavement support and advice
We understand how painful it can be to lose a special dog, and we want to support you however we can during this difficult time. Below you can find relevant resources and advice to help you during this tough time.
Spend time with your loved ones
It’s important to spend time with your friends or family, try not to distance yourself from those closest to you. Talking to your friends, family and support unit about how you are feeling and what you might need to feel supported can be beneficial during this time.
For more information:
RSPCA Bereavement Toolkit
Not Just A Pet
Over 99% of us see our pets as family, best friends or companions.
But when pets die, our grief is often dismissed.
Through our national Pet Grief Surveys, we’ve asked more than 4,000 people to share how they felt after losing a pet. Their answers paint a clear picture: pet grief is real – yet many keep their pain to themselves.
Fewer than 1 in 10 people feel that pet grief is taken as seriously as it should be. Too many suffer in silence – told it’s “just a pet”, which only makes the pain harder to bear.
This toolkit is here to change that. Because pet grief is real, and it matters.
For more information:
Radio presenter Greg James spoke recently about the death of his dog
Radio presenter Greg James has spoken about the recent death of his dog, and in this article, others talk about their personal experience of losing pets.
The grief and pain that BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James after his beloved chocolate labrador, Barney, was put to sleep felt all too familiar.
Towards the end of June my dog, Lara, also died. She too was put to sleep. I was devastated.
The Good Grief Trust recently exhibited at The Cat Live Show 2026
Linda Magistris OBE – founder of The Good Grief Trust – Speaker at The Cat Live Show 2026.
Following the death of her partner, BAFTA-winning director Graham Theakston, Linda established The Good Grief Trust to ensure no one faces grief alone. Linda presented on our work at the Cat Live Show, discussing the impact of losing a pet, and The Good Grief Trust stand was busy with visitors who shared their stories of losing a much loved pet.
For details of the event:
Losing my dad
Do you need to speak to someone now?
24 HOUR SUPPORT LINES
| Samaritans | 116 123 (UK) | For anyone at anytime for any reason |
| Childline | 0800 1111 | Support for 18yrs & under and their relatives |
| Silverline | 0800 470 8090 | Support for the over 50's |
DAY/EVENING SUPPORT LINES
| National Bereavement Service | 0800 024 6121 | Mon - Fri 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00, Sun – CLOSED |
| Cruse | 0808 808 1677 | Nationwide bereavement support |
| Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland | 0808 802 6161 | Mon - Fri 9am-8pm and Sat/Sun 1-4pm |
| Child Bereavement UK | 0800 02 88840 | Helpline (9 - 5pm) |
| Child Death Helpline | 0800 282 986 0808 800 6019 | Every evening 7-10pm Mon/Thurs / Fri - 10am - 1pm Tues/Wed - 10am - 4pm |
| Bereavement Advice Centre | 0800 634 9494 | Practical advice (9 - 5pm) |
| Addiction Family Support | 0300 888 3853 | Supporting someone affected or bereaved by a loved one’s addiction |
| Sands | 0808 164 3332 | 10am-3pm Mon to Fri daytimes and 6pm-9pm Tues to Thurs evenings Free confidential helpline for anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby. |
| Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide | 0300 111 5065 | 9am-9pm every day |
| Breathing space Scotland Helpline for when it becomes difficult to cope | 0800 838587 | Monday to Thursday - 6pm - 2am Friday 6pm - 6am |
| The Compassionate Friends | 0345 123 2304 | Monday - Thursday 10am-4pm and 7pm-9pm Fridays 10am-4pm (excluding bank holidays) |
| The Lullaby Trust | 0808 802 6868 | Monday - Friday, 10 am – 5 pm |
| Marie Curie | 0800 090 2309 | Open Monday - Friday, 8am – 6pm Open Saturday, 11am – 5pm on Saturday Practical and clinical information and support on all aspects of end of life and bereavement. |
Useful links
| Childhood Bereavement Network | Advice for anyone supporting a bereaved child |
| Rainbows | Helps children grow and grieve after a loss |
| Winston's wish | Advice for anyone supporting a bereaved child |
| Cruse | Nationwide bereavement support |
| Gingerbread | Provides advice and support for single parents |
| Hope Again | Nationwide bereavement support for young people |
| Grief Encounter | Support bereaved children and their families |
| They're my parents. I miss them | Eleni talks about the pain of losing parents as an adult |
| Podcast | An interview on losing your dad |
| Much Loved | Website where you can create online tributes to your loved one. You can also invite friends and family to contribute to the memories |
| Bereavement Advice Centre | Information and advice regarding the involvement of a coroner, if a death is unexplained, unexpected, unnatural or violent |
Find local support
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