Pet Loss Support and Resources in the UK

You may not feel you need 'support' in a formal sense — and many people move through pet grief without it. But knowing it exists, and that there are other people who understand the specific nature of this loss, can itself be a comfort.

Pet bereavement helplines

The Blue Cross offers a free pet bereavement support service for anyone struggling with the loss of a pet. They can be reached by phone or email, and also offer online chat during certain hours. Their support is offered by trained volunteers, many of whom have experienced pet loss themselves. Details are on the Blue Cross website (bluecross.org.uk).

The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) maintains a Pet Bereavement Support Service directory, connecting people with trained local volunteers. Details are on the SCAS website (scas.org.uk).

Some veterinary schools in the UK also offer pet loss support lines — the University of Cambridge and the Royal Veterinary College have both offered these services. It is worth checking with your vet or searching for the most current information, as availability changes.

Online communities

Online forums and social media groups for dog loss provide a space where other people genuinely understand the grief — without qualification or minimisation. Searching 'dog loss support group UK' on Facebook will surface several active communities. Reddit's r/petloss community is also a widely-used, generally supportive space.

Counselling and therapy

If pet loss is significantly affecting your mental health, a GP referral for counselling or a self-referral to a therapist who lists bereavement as an area of practice can be helpful. You don't need to mention that the loss is of a dog — bereavement support applies equally — but a therapist who has personal experience of pet loss will understand the specifics more readily.

For children

If a child in your household is struggling with the loss of a dog, a conversation with their school may be worthwhile — many schools have pastoral or counselling support available. The charity Winston's Wish (winstonswish.org), primarily focused on bereavement in children, also has resources that can be useful for pet loss alongside other bereavements.

A note on timing

There is no wrong time to seek support. Whether you reach out in the first days, weeks, or months after your dog has died, the grief is still valid and the support is still there.