Grieving

"Grieving is a natural and essential part of adjusting to the loss of a pet. Animals provide companionship, acceptance, emotional support, and unconditional love during the time they spend with you. If you understand and accept this bond between humans and animals, you've already taken the first step toward coping with pet loss - knowing that it is natural to grieve when your pet dies."

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Grief Counseling and Support

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Dr. Kathleen Ayl
Grief Recovery Specialist
Veterinary Medical Surgical Group
2199 Sperry Avenue
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 339-2290

ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline:
Pet parents can receive help from the ASPCA Pet Loss Support program with the following issues:

• Assistance with the decision to euthanize.
• Comfort and support at the time of euthanasia.
• Help with grieving the loss.
• Advice on dealing with children, the elderly or disabled individuals who are facing a death of a companion animal.
• Helping the surviving animals in the household to cope.
• Assistance in establishing a relationship with a new pet.

For support dealing with the loss of a pet, including information on meeting the emotional needs of children at the time of a pet's death, please call the ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline at (877) GRIEF-10.

Aftercare

Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park
5068 N. Old Scandia Lane
PO Box 8517
Calabasas, CA 91372
(818) 591-7037

CalPet Crematory
9595 Glenoaks Boulevard
PO Box 488
Sun Valley, CA 91353
(818) 983-2313

For more information on quality of life, euthanasia, pet loss, and grieving we recommend visiting the Argus Institute's website. They have extensive information on this topic presented with care and compassion.