Losing a pet is a profound loss. Whatever you are feeling is valid. These resources are here to help you find the right support — at your own pace, in your own way.
If you are struggling with grief after losing a pet, please reach out. General mental health lines are available 24 hours and are experienced in all forms of loss.
24/7 support for anxiety, depression, and grief. Free to call from anywhere in Australia.
beyondblue.org.auCrisis support and suicide prevention. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
lifeline.org.auSpecialised grief and bereavement telephone support across Australia. Free, confidential, and experienced with pet loss.
griefline.org.auFor children and young people who are grieving the loss of a pet. Free, confidential, available 24/7.
kidshelpline.com.auConnecting with others who understand what you are going through can be deeply comforting. These groups are available online and in person.
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement hosts a free moderated online chat room for people grieving the loss of a pet.
Join the chat room →Search for in-person and online pet loss support groups near you, including Australian options.
Search the directory →Your local veterinary college, RSPCA, or humane society may offer pet loss support groups. It is worth calling to ask.
Sometimes a private conversation with a professional is what helps most. These resources can connect you with a counsellor experienced in pet loss and grief.
Tracey Woods is an Australian pet loss bereavement counsellor offering dedicated support for people grieving the loss of a pet.
peteden.com.au →Life coach and professional counsellor specialising in grief and loss, including pet loss. Author of Loss, Love and Lessons — Healing Pet Loss and Grief.
lifeinthepink.com.au →A searchable directory of counsellors and therapists who specialise in pet loss grief, including Australian-based practitioners.
Find a counsellor →Search for a grief counsellor in your area. When contacting a counsellor, ask if they are experienced with pet loss — most will be willing to help.
psychologytoday.com/au →These books offer comfort, perspective, and practical guidance for navigating grief after losing a beloved companion.
Lara Casanova — written by an Australian grief counsellor specialising in pet loss. Available at lifeinthepink.com.au
Alan Wolfelt
Wallace Sife — a widely-read and compassionate guide to understanding pet loss grief
Lorri Greene — practical and emotional support for the journey
Russell Friedman — a structured approach to moving through grief
Coleen Ellis
Mary and Herb Montgomery — available as both a book and a short booklet
Herbert Neiburg and Arlene Fischer
Helping children understand and process the loss of a pet is one of the most important conversations a family can have. These books offer gentle, age-appropriate guidance.
Fred Rogers — gentle and reassuring, suitable for young children
Judith Viorst — a classic about remembering what we loved
Cynthia Rylant — two beautiful picture books offering comfort and warmth
Cece Meng — a tender story about loss and the love that remains
Hans Wilhelm — a gentle story about saying goodbye to a beloved dog
Corinne Demas — honest and comforting for children facing pet loss
Mary Gardner and Coleen Ellis — a guide and activity book for children, available in both cat and dog editions
Alan Wolfelt — compassionate guidance for children working through grief
Leo Buscaglia — a timeless story about life, change, and gentle endings
Honouring your pet's memory is a deeply personal and healing part of the grief journey. There is no right or wrong way — whatever brings you comfort is meaningful.
Collect photos, a collar, a favourite toy, and a paw print. Having a physical place to remember them can be deeply comforting.
A garden plant, a tree, or a pot of their favourite herbs. Something living that grows alongside your memories.
Many Australian artists specialise in pet portraits. A framed painting or drawing can be a lasting and beautiful tribute.
Writing about what your pet meant to you — what you loved, what you will miss, what they gave you — can be a powerful part of healing.
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement has a dedicated pet loss support page with further memorialisation ideas.
aplb.org →Ask your vet about a paw print keepsake at the time of your pet's passing. Next Animal includes this as part of our end-of-life care.