Online Pet Loss Support

When you lose a pet, you lose a piece of yourself.

I’m Paige Rechtman, a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and Certified Grief Educator. I started this work after losing my soulmate kitty of 22 years. I offer three kinds of pet loss support: one-on-one counseling sessions, support groups, and self-paced resources for when it’s too hard to talk.

When your pet was your person

Why does losing a pet hurt so much?

To put it simply: because the relationship you have with a pet is one of the most meaningful in your life. And saying goodbye is one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to go through.

You lose one of your greatest sources of comfort, right when you need comfort most. You lose your routine, the one constant in your life who loves you no matter what.

You turn to talk to them, forgetting they’re gone. You’re reminded from the time you wake up until you fall asleep. And perhaps in your dreams too.

Meanwhile, it can seem like everyone else forgets that your life has been forever changed.

Trust me when I say: The sadness you feel is valid. There is nothing wrong with you. And there is nothing wrong with getting support as you grieve this devastating loss.

you’re not alone

Pet loss support when your pet was your soulmate

Do any of these sound familiar? Here are some of the most common things bereaved pet parents go through:

Guilt from not noticing sooner, waiting too long, not doing more
Replaying the last days, or the decision to say goodbye
Not being able to sleep, eat, or focus
Wondering if they were in pain or knew how much you loved them
Not knowing who you are or what to do with your days now
Anger at the vet or the people around you don't seem to get it
Feeling empty, like you'll never be as happy again

Three ways to get support

Pet Loss Counseling

Get one-on-one support to help you release the guilt, honor your pet, and figure out your new normal, with no rush to move on too soon.

Pet Loss Support Group

Honor your pet’s memory and feel less alone by talking with to other bereaved pet parents who get it. Make new friends along the way.

Pet Loss Resources

When talking about it feels too hard, these resources can help you better understand your grief and move through it at your own pace.

“You learn coping techniques and self-care that help not only with the grief but with your overall life as well. It’s been a total game changer in my grief journey, healing for the mind, heart, and soul. I truly don’t know how I’d be getting through this time without this support.”

- Christina, honoring Buster

“The tools and coping strategies I’ve learned from Paige have been invaluable. It’s not just about grieving, but about building resilience, finding hope amid the sadness, and finding ways to honor our beloved pets. I finally connected with others who truly understand the grief of losing a pet too.”

- Lisa, Honoring Stitches

“There were so many days I felt lost and unmotivated. It’s all too easy to get stuck replaying those last, sad memories, especially with an aging pet. Paige’s tools and prompts helped me remember all the love and all the fun times I had with my sweet girl. I’ve learned so much and wouldn’t be where I am in processing my grief without this support. I would still be horribly stuck and lost.”

- Michelle, honoring Maizie

1:1 Pet loss support

As a therapist, I understand how a pet can be a pillar of your mental health. When it’s time to say goodbye, you’re not only grieving. You’re also finding new ways to get through daily life without them. Together, we’ll take time to process this loss and any lingering guilt as you move through the grief. And when you’re ready, discover ways to live your life as fully as possible in your pet’s honor.

If you live in New York State, we can work together in therapy. Anywhere else, we work together through pet loss coaching.*

The Service Includes:

Pet Loss Support Groups

Being around others who “get it” is one of the most healing parts of grief. No one here will ask when you’re getting another dog, or wonder why you’re still sad.

My groups are intimate, meet online, and run for a set number of weeks, so you get to know other members. You can talk about your pet as much as you want, or just listen. There is no right or wrong way to participate.

Group support options:

Self-Paced Pet Loss Resources

Not ready to talk to anyone yet? That’s completely okay. This stuff can be hard to put into words. These are things you can do on your own time, in your own space, with no one watching, whenever you’re ready.

You’ll find my free 7 Days of Self-Care emails, the 30 Days of Coping With Pet Loss course, and my pet loss journal and book.

They’re also a great companion to therapy or a support group, for the hours in between when the grief is still loud.

FAQs for Pet Loss Support

When should I get help with my pet grief?

Whenever you want it, even before your pet has died. If your pet is aging or seriously ill, you may already be grieving. This is called anticipatory grief, and support can help you prepare for the goodbye, make end-of-life decisions, and be more present for the time you have left. After a loss, it’s especially worth reaching out if weeks or months have passed and the grief isn’t easing, or if it’s affecting your sleep, appetite, work, or relationships.

When will the grief stop hurting so much?

As you probably know, there’s no exact timeline. But after working with bereaved parents for years, I’ve discovered a few patterns and wrote a whole post about it. You can view it here.

How do I cope with the guilt of euthanizing my pet?

Almost all pet parents at some point feel guilt around saying goodbye. Sometimes guilt is productive – it helps us do better in the future. But more often than not, when it comes to our pets, the guilt is self-punishing and is not helpful. Processing what happened with someone else and working towards self-forgiveness can help.

Is it normal to feel more sad about losing my pet than a person?

It’s very common for bereaved pet parents to feel shame about how much more distraught they feel over an animal than a human in their life that has passed. But your relationship with your pet is a lot less complicated than with humans. It’s also likely that they were with you more frequently and without a doubt, loved you unconditionally. So it makes sense to be incredibly sad.

Why doesn't anyone around me get it?

Some people have never had that kind of bond with an animal before and they want to alleviate your pain by saying something that will fix it. Sometimes they’ll make a comment or suggest getting another pet with the best of intentions but it can make you think there’s something wrong with you for feeling the way you do. There is nothing wrong with you for being devastated after losing someone important to you, including a pet. We can work on ways to handle these difficult situations in our sessions.

What kind of pet loss support is best for me?

Everyone grieves differently, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. If you’re struggling with the loss and its starting to impact your life, I suggest booking a free 15-minute consultation call to see if working one on one or joining a group would be best.

When should i get another pet?

Whenever you feel ready. Many people need some time before even thinking about getting another pet. Others want animal companionship right away. Some find comfort in fostering temporarily. And some decide it’s simply too hard to say goodbye again. If we work together, we’ll explore what’s best for you without any judgment.

About

Hi, I'm Paige. And this is my soul-kitty Squiggles.

I’m a licensed mental health counselor in New York with more than 15 years in the field, a Certified Grief Educator, and the founder of The Furever Forest, a pet loss community.

I’m also a bereaved pet parent. When my beloved cat, Squiggles, passed away after almost 22 years together, I wrote about losing her and the stages of grief I found myself moving through. Since then, thousands of grieving pet parents have found support through my community, support groups, and free newsletter, Paws & Reflect.

I’m a therapist first, so I understand how much a pet does for your mental health. They help regulate your nervous system, and they give you purpose and love. And I understand how important it is to tend not just to your grief, but to your mental health, after they’re gone.

Coping with pet loss: A Free Guide

When you lose a soulmate pet, self-care looks different

Download my free guide to help you cope during those first few weeks without them

The Guide Includes: