Pet Loss Support Groups

Grief is lighter when it is shared. A support group brings you together with others who truly understand what losing a pet feels like. Here is how to find one that fits you.

You are welcome to just listen at first. There is no pressure to speak in a support group, and simply being among people who understand can be a comfort in itself.

How to find a group

1.Ask your veterinarian. Many practices know of local pet loss groups, and some larger clinics or veterinary schools host their own.
2.Check nearby veterinary schools. Several run free, facilitated pet loss groups that are open to the public, often online.
3.Look to local grief centers and humane societies. Hospices, community grief programs, and shelters sometimes offer pet loss support.
4.Go online. If nothing is nearby, reputable virtual groups meet by video and welcome anyone. A few trusted ones are listed below.

Trusted online support groups

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)

A long-running nonprofit offering online chat rooms and video support groups led by trained pet bereavement counselors.

Lap of Love

Free virtual Zoom support groups for pet loss and anticipatory grief, plus paid one-on-one sessions and a pet loss course.

Michigan State University Veterinary Social Work

A pet loss support group run by veterinary social workers, meeting regularly by video. Check their page for dates.

The Argus Institute (Human Animal Bond Trust)

A weekly online pet loss group hosted via Zoom by a respected veterinary grief program.

Schedules change, so check each group's own page for current meeting times. Prefer to talk one to one? See our guides to pet loss hotlines and counseling and therapy.

If your grief ever feels like a crisis, please call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any time.

Pet Loss Support Groups: Common Questions

Gentle answers about finding and joining a group.

What happens in a pet loss support group?

A pet loss support group brings together people who have lost a pet, usually with a trained facilitator. You can share your story, your memories, and your grief, or simply listen. There is no pressure to speak. The point is to be among people who understand that pet grief is real, which can ease the isolation many people feel.

How do I find a pet loss support group near me?

Start by asking your veterinarian, who often knows of local groups, and check whether a nearby veterinary school offers one. Local humane societies, hospices, and grief centers sometimes host pet loss groups too. If nothing is nearby, reputable online groups from organizations like APLB and Lap of Love meet by video and are open to anyone.

Are pet loss support groups free?

Many are. University and nonprofit groups, such as those run by veterinary schools and APLB, are typically free, and several online groups cost nothing to join. Some services offer free group sessions plus paid one-on-one support. If cost is a concern, start with the free options listed here.

Is a support group or one-on-one counseling better for me?

It depends on what you need. A support group offers connection with others who understand, which many people find comforting and less isolating. One-on-one counseling offers focused, private support and may suit you better if your grief feels overwhelming or is tangled with other losses. You can also do both. See our guide to pet loss counseling to learn more.

You do not have to grieve alone

Find a group, a helpline, or a counselor, whatever feels right for you.

Pet Loss Hotlines

Counseling & Therapy

All Support & Resources