Pet Loss and Grief Support Resources
Local Pet Loss Support Groups
Animal Emergency & Referral Center
**Currently offering Virtual Meetings **
Pet Loss Support Group
Oakdale, MN
651-501-3766
Companion Animal Love Loss and Memories
(CALLM) pet loss support group
University of MN, Veterinary Medical Center
(612) 624-9372
Online Support Groups
VetVine Virtual Pet Loss Support Groups
Weekly support group facilitated by licensed professionals via Zoom, $20 fee
Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Support Chat Room
Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement Chat Rooms
Other Local Resources
Animal Humane Society of Minnesota Behavior Hotline
Animal Humane Society’s Behavior Helpline is a helpful resource to reach out to with any questions you may have regarding your pet’s behavior.
(763) 489-2229
10 AM – 6 PM, every day
Foster My Pet
Helping families in crisis keep their pets.
www.fostermypet.org or (651) 503-0045
You can see a list of resources for mental health, crisis, shelter, and other needs on our Local Resources blog post.
Counselors Specializing in Grief and Loss
Center for Grief, Loss, and Transition
The Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering hope and healing for people during the difficult times in their lives.
http://www.griefloss.org or (651) 641-0177
National Resources
Argus Institute at Colorado State University Grief Resources
The Argus Institute provides free grief counseling relating to pet loss and support to those making end-of-life decisions for their pets.
Veterinary Wisdom for Pet Parents
Caring for people who care for pets.
www.veterinarywisdomforpetparents.com
Pet Loss Support Hotlines
Tufts University pet loss hotline
(508) 839-7966
vet.tufts.edu/petloss/
University of Illinois pet loss support hotline
(217) 244-CARE
www.vetmed.illinois.edu/care
Washington State University pet loss hotline
www.vetmed.swu.edu/plhl
Cremation Services
We are pleased to recommend several local cremation services. Call or email for a list of our recommendations.
End of Life Pet Photography
Sarah Beth Photography – Joy Sessions
Whether you’ve spent a short time or a lifetime with your pet, saying goodbye is the hardest thing you’ll have to do. These special, end-of-life sessions are just for terminally ill or elderly pets.
http://sarahbethphotography.com/joy-sessions
Locally Made Pet Memorial Items
Jennifer Illustrations – Beautiful pet portraits.
StudioDragonfly19 – Local creators specializing in cremation memorial jewelry, home goods and custom orders
Wag to Love – Hand painted pet portraits.
Ascension Art Glass – Glass blown memorials that incorporate your pet’s ashes.
MN made wooden urns-Etsy store – These lidded bowls are popular as a final resting place for the ashes of beloved pets, and can be customized with the name of your pet.
Ever My Pet-MN urn supplier – At Ever My Pet, a Minnesota company, people grieving the loss of a beloved pet can shop from home from over 800 pet tributes and memorial urns for the perfect tribute and the perfect inscription.
Nelli Designs Candles – NelliDesigns is a Minnesota based candle company specializing in pet-inspired candles.
Pet Sympathy Stones – Large stones for the garden or indoors can be personalized to best represent your beloved pet.
Midwest Cremation Services – In addition to urns, MCS offers a line of jewelry that holds a small amount of your pet’s ashes.
Emergency Veterinary Clinics
If your pet needs help after-hours, there are several emergency clinics in the Twin Cities metro area. The map below is interactive. Find the clinic closest to you and click on the paw print to view the phone number, address, and link to their website.