When your dog has died
There’s no right way to feel. If it’s hurting more than you expected, you’re not alone, and there are people who will listen.
Support you can reach today
These are independent services. We are not a counselling service. Please check each site for current hours before you call. Details below come from our research on 16 October 2026 and must be re-checked just before launch.
Blue Cross Pet Loss Support
Free, confidential helpline, webchat, email, online form and a moderated private Facebook community. Covers death, theft or enforced separation.
- From abroad
- +44 800 096 6606
- Hours
- Every day, 8.30am–8.30pm
- Replies within 48 hours
- Webchat
- When volunteers are on
- Out of hours
- Samaritans, 116 123
Cats Protection: Paws to Listen
A free, confidential line with trained volunteer listeners. It isn’t counselling. It is for cat loss, but useful for signposting.
- Hours
- Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm, excluding bank holidays
- If busy
- A call-back is offered
- Out of hours
- Samaritans, 116 123
- Prolonged grief
- Speak to your GP
Dogs Trust: bereavement support
Self-care advice, coping guidance from a psychologist/neuroscientist and a memory wall. For urgent support they point you to the Blue Cross line (UK including Northern Ireland).
Bereavement support (external site)
Coping after losing a dog (external site)
Samaritans
Anytime emotional support, signposted by Blue Cross and Cats Protection.
APLB (Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement)
A US non-profit, founded in 1999. Free (Bronze) membership gives access to a moderated chat room with trained volunteers. It says it is not a substitute for a mental health professional.
- Time zone
- Chat runs on US Eastern time, for example Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 8–10pm ET and Sun 2–4pm ET. Check the site for current times.
APLB (external site)
APLB chat room information (external site)
Guides
Coping with pet loss
[Gentle guide text goes here]
When it’s time to say goodbye
[Gentle guide text goes here, vet-reviewed]
Supporting a child, another pet or someone else who is grieving
[Gentle guide text goes here]
Look after yourself
[Gentle self-care text goes here]
Guides will be written gently, without scare tactics or guilt, and reviewed by a vet where they touch on health or euthanasia.
Remembered: our memorial wall
A quiet place to remember a dog you loved. Every tribute is read by a person before it appears.