Grief Management Resources

Losing a pet is like losing a member of the family. 

Four stages of Grief and how they feel:

Shock and Denial:  Defined by a feeling of numbness, which can last for a few hours to several weeks.

Searching and Yearning:  Where pet owners actually miss their pet.  Associated feelings include longing, anger, sadness, relief, guilt, and irritability.

Disorganization:  Pet owners begin to live life without their pet and may appear scattered and distracted. 

Reorganization:  Regular eating and sleeping habits resume and relationships with a new pet can be formed.