When my golden retriever Max passed away after twelve years together, the hardest part wasn’t the first day. It was the week after — when everyone had moved on, and I was still sitting with the grief alone.
What helped most wasn’t advice. It was finding people who understood without explanation. The first time I joined a pet loss support group and read someone else describing exactly what I was feeling — that specific, wordless ache — something shifted. I wasn’t alone in it anymore.
If you’re in that place right now, this article is for you. Here’s where to find your people, and what else can help along the way.
You Don’t Have to Go Through This Alone
Pet loss grief is real — and it’s often invisible to the people around you. Friends may not know what to say. Colleagues may not understand why you’re still struggling. That isolation can make the grief heavier than it needs to be.
Pet bereavement support exists specifically for this. Here are the options, so you can find what fits you best.
Leave a Tribute — and Be Seen
Sometimes the first step is simply saying their name somewhere it will be heard.
Our Rainbow Bridge Memorial page is a space created for exactly this — to write about your pet, share who they were, and have others who understand acknowledge their life. It’s low-pressure, available any time, and you don’t have to talk to anyone. Just write. Just let them be remembered.
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (aplb.org)
One of the most established pet bereavement support organizations available. APLB offers structured online support groups facilitated by trained counselors, as well as resources for those who prefer self-guided support. If you want something more formal — a real group, with consistency and professional guidance — this is the place to start.
Reddit r/petloss
A large, active online pet loss support group with hundreds of thousands of members. It’s anonymous, available at any hour, and the community is genuinely warm. People post photos, share memories, ask questions, and simply talk. If you need to say something at 3am and don’t want to wake anyone up — this is where to go. Search “r/petloss” on Reddit. As a pet loss support group online, it’s one of the most accessible options for grief support for pet owners anywhere in the world. Finding comfort after losing a pet often starts simply with reading that others feel exactly the same way.
Facebook Pet Loss Support Groups
More personal than Reddit, and easier to build ongoing connections. Several active private groups exist specifically for pet bereavement — search “pet loss support” on Facebook and request to join. These groups tend to be quieter and more intimate, which suits some people better than a large forum.
Lap of Love Pet Loss Support
Lap of Love is a network of veterinarians specializing in end-of-life care — and they offer dedicated pet loss support resources for owners, particularly those who have recently made the decision to euthanize a pet. If you’re carrying guilt or grief after that decision, their resources speak directly to that experience. Visit lapoflovelive.com for support options.
Pet Loss Support Hotline
If you need to talk to someone right now — not type, but actually talk — several universities and organizations offer pet bereavement phone support. The APLB website lists current hotline options with hours. These are staffed by trained volunteers who understand pet grief and will listen without judgment.
Not sure where you are in your grief right now? Our guide on how long pet grief lasts walks through the stages and what to expect at each one. And if you’re wondering whether you can take time off work, see our guide on pet bereavement leave.
Music: When Words Aren’t Enough
There’s a reason people reach for music when they’re grieving. It’s not just comfort — there’s real psychology behind it.
Research in music therapy shows that listening to music activates the limbic system, the part of the brain that processes emotion and memory. Studies also support what’s known as the iso principle: when grieving, music that matches your emotional state — sad, slow, reflective — is often more therapeutic than music that tries to cheer you up. Music for pet loss grief works because it meets you where you are, rather than asking you to be somewhere you’re not. Grief counseling for pet loss often incorporates music as a therapeutic tool for exactly this reason.
Songs about losing a pet don’t need to be explicitly about animals to help. Many people find that songs about death of a pet, loss, and love — whatever the subject — give their grief a shape and a sound that makes it feel less trapped inside them.
Some directions to explore:
If you need to cry and let it out: Look for slow, acoustic music with lyrics about missing someone — artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Iron & Wine, or Gregory Alan Isakov tend to resonate with people in grief.
If you want something that honors the bond: Songs that celebrate a relationship, a life, a presence that mattered. The feeling of “I’m grateful we had the time we had.”
If you need something instrumental: Sometimes lyrics feel like too much. Ambient or classical music — especially piano — can hold the grief without putting words to it.
If you want songs specifically about pets: A number of artists have written songs about losing a dog or cat specifically. Searching “songs about losing a pet” or “songs about death of a pet” on Spotify or YouTube will surface a community of playlists built by people who have been exactly where you are.
When to Seek Professional Support
Pet bereavement support groups and music can carry you a long way. But sometimes grief needs more than community.
Consider reaching out to a pet bereavement counselor if:
- You’re struggling to function at work or in daily life after several months
- The grief feels like it’s getting worse rather than softening
- You’re experiencing persistent depression after pet loss — disrupted sleep, inability to feel joy, loss of appetite
- You feel like no one around you understands, and the isolation is becoming overwhelming
This isn’t failure. It’s care. Pet bereavement counseling is a legitimate, meaningful form of support — and you deserve it. Our guide on how long pet grief lasts can also help you understand what’s normal and what might need extra attention.
FAQ: Pet Loss Support
Where can I find pet loss support online?
The best online pet loss support options are Reddit r/petloss (large, anonymous, always active), Facebook pet loss support groups (more personal and ongoing), and the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement at aplb.org (structured groups with professional facilitation). Our Rainbow Bridge Memorial page is also a space to share your pet’s story and feel seen by others who understand.
Is there a pet loss support hotline I can call?
Yes. Several pet loss support hotlines exist, staffed by trained volunteers. The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (aplb.org) lists current hotline numbers and hours. Lap of Love also offers phone support resources, particularly for those grieving after euthanasia.
Are there pet bereavement groups near me?
Online pet bereavement groups are the most accessible option and available anywhere — Reddit r/petloss and Facebook groups are good starting points for an online pet loss support group. For in-person support, searching “pet loss support group near me” along with your city will often surface local grief counselors or veterinary practices that host groups. The APLB website also lists local resources by region.
What are good songs about losing a pet?
There’s no single list — but searching “pet loss playlist” on Spotify or YouTube will surface community-built playlists created by people who have experienced exactly this kind of grief. Songs about losing a pet don’t need to be explicitly about animals — any song about love, loss, and missing someone can help give your grief a shape and a sound.
When should I seek professional help after pet loss?
If your grief is affecting your ability to work, sleep, or eat after several months — or if it feels like it’s intensifying rather than softening — it’s worth reaching out to a pet bereavement counselor. See our article on how long pet grief lasts for more on what’s normal and what might need extra support.
How do I know if my grief is normal?
Grief after losing a pet is normal — including waves of sadness, guilt, anger, and physical symptoms like disrupted sleep. What’s less typical is grief that shows no sign of softening after several months, or grief that’s preventing you from functioning at all. Our guide on the stages of pet grief walks through what most people experience and when to seek extra help.
Grief doesn’t require you to go through it alone
Whether it’s a support group, a hotline, a playlist, or simply a page where you can write your pet’s name and know someone will read it — finding your people, and your outlet, makes the weight more bearable.
You don’t have to be strong right now. You just have to find somewhere safe to put it down for a while.
Where did you find support after losing a pet? Share in the comments — your experience might be exactly what someone else needs to read today. And if you’d like to create a lasting place to honor your pet, visit our Rainbow Bridge Memorial page.
Jessica Merrow is a pet loss grief counselor and writer who has supported hundreds of grieving pet owners through one of life’s most painful experiences. After losing her golden retriever Max unexpectedly, she dedicated herself to understanding the psychology of pet grief — and helping others feel less alone in it.