Ways to Honour your Companion
There is not 'right' way to honour your pet following a loss. We encourage you to explore options to find ones that fit with what's right for you and your family. This list is not exhaustive, but gives you some ideas and options to explore. Remember that aftercare need not be expensive - there are many ideas below that have little to no associated cost.
Aftercare options provided by Charlotte:
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* Ink pawprints or noseprints on cardstock paper
* Simple (air-dry) clay pawprints​
* Fur keepsake vessel
Additional aftercare options are available from Gateway Pet Memorial, and can be viewed from their site.
Other ideas:
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* Plan a memorial service
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* Create a memory box or memorial frame with their collar, favourite toys, and photos
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* Plant a tree or flowers in their memory
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* Donate to a cause in their name
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* Use their bowl to create a planter
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* Make a collage or scrapbook
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* Create a social media post remembering them
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* Place a memorial stone outside in their favourite spot
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* Create a keepsake with their fur
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* Write a tribute to them on an online platform, and read those left by others. Some good sites include Letters to Pushkin, Rainbows Bridge, Critters Pet Memorials, and EverLoved Memorials.
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​* Create a pillow or pillowcase with your pet's picture on it from a site like Vistaprint
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* Create a 'cuddle-clone', a stuffed animal made from your pet's likeness
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Grief Resources and Supports
Resources for children and teens:
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​* Sesame Workshop has excellent grief resouces for children and families experiencing loss
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* Chance's Spot provides e-books, videos, colouring pages, and keepsake ideas for children following pet loss
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* The Ontario Veterinary College's Pet Trust has a downloadable support guide for parents to help children with the loss of a pet
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Resources for adults:
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The Ohio State University has a great support guide for helping people after the loss of a pet.
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The Ontario Veterinary College's Pet Trust has a great list of resources and links to supports.
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The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement provides articles, a chat board, and video support groups to help those impacted by pet loss.
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Pets at Peace has an article speaking to the difficulties faced when friends or colleagues don't understand what you're going through.
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Counsellors and support groups:
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Gateway Pet Memorial offers a toll-free, 24/7 staffed Pet Compassion Careline.
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Ontario Pet Loss provides online group support and individually counselling.
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​Vive La Vita Therapies in Kitchener, ON runs a support group and provides individual counselling.
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Rainbows Bridge has an online forum, chat, and articles on grief and pet loss.
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Helen Goldberg is a pet loss counsellor providing online support.​
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