You don’t have to grieve alone
Losing a beloved pet can be an overwhelming and deeply painful experience. Whether you need someone who understands pet loss, a listening ear, support through grief, or help during a mental-health crisis, there are people who are here to help. We’ve gathered trusted pet-loss, grief and mental-health resources below so you can find support when you need it most.
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The loss of a beloved pet can leave an enormous space in your life.
For many people, a pet is not simply an animal. They are family, a companion, a source of comfort, part of our daily routines and someone who has been there through some of life’s happiest — and most difficult — moments.
When they die, the house can feel strangely quiet. Everyday routines can suddenly feel empty. You may find yourself reaching for them, listening for their footsteps, looking at their favourite sleeping place or instinctively expecting them to be there when you walk through the door.
These feelings are a normal part of grief.
There is no correct way to grieve and there is no timetable for when you should feel better. Some days may feel manageable, while others can unexpectedly bring an overwhelming wave of sadness. You may miss your pet months or even years later, particularly around birthdays, anniversaries or familiar places.
You loved deeply, and it is completely understandable that you are hurting deeply.
At Paws Forever, we want you to know that you don’t have to navigate that grief alone.
We have brought together some pet-specific grief resources, as well as mental health and crisis support services, so that help is easy to find when you need it.
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Pets and People
Pet Loss & Grief Support and Counselling
1300 431 450
Pets and People provides pet-loss and grief counselling throughout Australia. Their support line can connect you with counsellors who understand the unique relationship between people and their animal companions.
Please note that while the telephone number is toll-free, counselling fees may apply depending on the counsellor you are connected with. (Pets and People)
Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center
Online pet-loss resources and community support
The Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center provides a range of online resources for people mourning the death of a beloved animal. Resources include grief information, pet-loss forums, online chat, guidance for helping children cope with pet loss and ideas for remembering and memorialising your pet. (Rainbow Bridge)
For some people, being able to read the experiences of others who have lost a pet can be incredibly comforting — particularly when it feels as though the people around you don’t quite understand the depth of your grief.
Visit the Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center
Pet Loss Support Hotline — University of Melbourne
(03) 9731 2004
This number has historically been circulated as a University of Melbourne pet-loss support contact. However, we have been unable to independently verify the current service or operating hours through a current University of Melbourne source.
If you are unable to reach this service, please use one of the other pet-loss or grief services listed on this page.
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Grief can sometimes become particularly difficult to manage. You may feel overwhelmed, unable to sleep, unable to function normally or as though the pain is simply too much.
You do not need to wait until you are in crisis before asking for help.
Griefline
1300 845 745
Griefline provides free and confidential grief support to people across Australia aged 18 and over.
Their trained telephone support volunteers can listen, provide emotional support and help you navigate your grief.
Current telephone hours:
Monday–Friday: 9am–6pm
Saturday–Sunday: 12pm–6pm
Griefline also provides 24/7 online forums where people experiencing grief and loss can connect with others. (Griefline)
Mental Health Foundation Australia
1300 643 287
The Mental Health Foundation Australia provides information, support and mental-health resources. Their current contact information lists 1300 643 287, with general enquiries available Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm Melbourne time.
Please note that MHFA is not a crisis service. If you require urgent or crisis support, please contact one of the 24/7 services below. (Mental Health Foundation Australia)
Visit Mental Health Foundation Australia
SuicideLine Victoria
1300 651 251 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
SuicideLine Victoria provides free, confidential professional counselling and support to people in Victoria who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress or mental-health difficulties, as well as people concerned about someone else.
You don’t have to be at the point of attempting suicide to call. You can reach out simply because things feel too difficult and you need someone to talk to. (SuicideLine Victoria)
Parentline Victoria
13 22 89 — 8am–midnight, 7 days a week
Grieving while caring for children can bring an additional layer of difficulty. You may be trying to manage your own sadness while also helping your children understand and cope with the death of their much-loved pet.
Parentline provides confidential and anonymous counselling and support to parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years. Support is available 8am to midnight, seven days a week, including public holidays. (Cancer Council Victoria)
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Sometimes grief can become overwhelming.
If you find yourself feeling that you cannot cope, that life is no longer worth living, or that you may hurt yourself, please don’t face that moment alone.
There are people available to talk to you right now.
Lifeline
13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Lifeline provides free, confidential crisis support to anyone in Australia who is feeling overwhelmed, distressed or having difficulty coping.
You can also text 0477 13 11 14 or use Lifeline’s online crisis chat. (Lifeline)
Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Beyond Blue provides free and confidential brief counselling for people experiencing anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts or simply having a difficult time.
You don’t need to have a diagnosis to call. If you’re struggling and need someone to listen, you can contact Beyond Blue at any time. (Beyond Blue)
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
The Suicide Call Back Service provides free professional telephone and online counselling for people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, concerned about someone who may be at risk, or affected by suicide.
Counselling can be provided immediately or through scheduled sessions. (Medicare Mental Health)
Visit Suicide Call Back Service
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Children and young people can also experience profound grief after losing an animal companion.
Kids Helpline provides free, confidential phone and online counselling for young people aged 5–25. They are available every day and night, 24/7. (Kids Helpline)
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If you are in immediate danger, or you believe you may hurt yourself or someone else, call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
If you are not in immediate danger but feel that you are struggling to cope, please reach out to one of the support services above.
You don’t need to know exactly what to say.
You can simply say:
“I’ve lost my pet and I’m finding it much harder than I expected. I don’t know what to do.”
That is enough to begin a conversation.
And if you are grieving your pet…
Please be gentle with yourself.
You may not feel like yourself for a while. You may cry unexpectedly. You may struggle with ordinary things. You may feel guilty about decisions you made, question whether you did enough, or wonder whether you should have done something differently.
You may even feel embarrassed by the intensity of your grief because someone else doesn’t seem to understand.
You don’t need to justify your grief.
Your pet was part of your life.
Your relationship mattered.
Your love mattered.
And their absence matters too.
There is no deadline for missing someone you loved.
Take things one day at a time. Talk about your pet. Look at photographs when you’re ready. Create a memorial. Write them a letter. Keep their collar somewhere special. Tell stories about the funny things they used to do.
And when the grief feels too heavy to carry by yourself, let someone help you carry it.
At Paws Forever, you are always welcome to reach out to us too. Whether it has been hours, days, weeks, months or longer since we said goodbye, you don’t have to feel that you are “bothering” us.
We remember your pet.
We remember that they mattered.
And we understand that saying goodbye doesn’t mean you stop loving them.Important information
The resources on this page are provided to help families find appropriate support and are not a substitute for professional medical, psychological or crisis care. Telephone numbers, operating hours and service availability can change, so please check the relevant organisation’s website for the most current information.
If you are experiencing an emergency or are at immediate risk of harm, call 000.
““I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you; but instead I am deeply honoured knowing you spent the rest of your life with me.””
