Local Support Groups

Seattle–Bellevue Area in Washington State

Seattle Humane – Pet Loss Support Group
Virtual meetings: 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM PT
Open to anyone grieving a pet (including caregivers & shelter workers)
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.seattlehumane.org/services/end-of-life

Seattle Animal Shelter – Pet Loss Support Group
Weekly virtual meetings: Thursdays, 5:30–7:00 PM PT (phone/Webex)
Peer-led, open to the public
🌐 https://www.seattle.gov/animal-shelter/resources/pet-loss-support-group

Studio Saudade
Seattle Grief Support | A Monthly Gathering for All Grievers
Paid, in-person, register in advance for 12-person groups.
3rd or 4th Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30.
Note: no groups January-February 2026.
Not specifically for pet bereavement, but all losses are respected.
Facilitated by an Advanced Certified Trauma Recovery Coach and Grief Recovery Specialist.
🌐 https://healingfromloss.org/grief-support-group-seattle

Crisis Support

United States

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Free, 24/7 Support for anyone in emotional distress or crisis.
🆘 --> Dial 988 or visit 988lifeline.org

Crisis Text Line
💬 Text: 741741, enter HOME or HOLA
💻 Online chat: http://www.crisistextline.org/
📳 WhatsApp - search for Crisis Text Line using your app or Open WhatsApp in your browser

Professional-Level Support Models

United States

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center – Pet Loss Support Group
Virtual sessions focused on grief education & peer support
Facilitated by Judith Harbour, LCSW
🌐 amcny.org/pet-loss-support-resources

Argus Institute – Colorado State University
Free, short-term grief counseling & emotional support
Focus on end-of-life decision-making & family communication
🌐 vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/argus

Paws to Connect Counseling, LLC
Private, individual therapy or pet loss & anticipatory grief by a veterinary social worker. Ask if more accessible therapy is available with a social work intern who is supervised by a licensed therapist.
🌐 https://www.pawstoconnect.com/

National Pet Loss Support Groups & Services

United States

Lap of Love – Pet Loss Support
Free weekly virtual groups via Zoom
Led by certified grief counselors
🌐 https://www.lapoflove.com/pet-loss-support-resources

University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet)
Free support groups & paid veterinary social worker services
🌐 https://www.vet.upenn.edu/ryan-hospital/clinical-services/pet-support-services/

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Monthly virtual 90-minute Pet Loss Support Group
🌐 https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/hospital/pet-loss-support/pet-loss-support-group

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Pet Loss Support Hotline – Vet student-staffed phone support
🌐 https://www.vet.cornell.edu/impact/community-impact/pet-loss-resources-and-support

Michigan State University (MSU)
Virtual Pet Loss Support Group
2nd and 4th Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. EST
Open to the public and led by a veterinary social worker
🌐 https://cvm.msu.edu/hospital/services/social-work/pet-loss-support-group

Colorado State University – Argus Institute
Pet Loss Support Groups (virtual & in-person) led by a social worker
🌐 https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/argus/

University of Georgia (UGA)
“Heart’s Journey” Pet Loss Support Group – Licensed social worker support
🌐 https://vet.uga.edu/hospital-and-primary-care/hospital/client-resources/client-support-services/

University of Wisconsin Veterinary Care (UWVC)
“Together in Pet Loss” Virtual Group – Veterinary support services
🌐 https://uwveterinarycare.wisc.edu/veterinary-support-services/

Tufts University Pet Loss Support and Helpline
Comprehensive website with additional resources
🌐 https://vet.tufts.edu/pet-loss-support-helpline
Free & confidential phone support
📞 508-839-7966 (Mon–Thurs, 6–9 PM EST)

Online Pet Memorial Websites

Pet Heaven
Free pet obituaries, photo guestbooks, and virtual treats.
🌐 https://petheaven.org/

ILovedMyPet.com
Personalized memorials with photos, stories, and video (basic free, upgrades optional).
🌐 https://www.ilovedmypet.com/

Rainbow Bridge
Memorial homes, weekly candle ceremonies, and grief support forums.
🌐 https://rainbowsbridge.com/

The Pet Memorial (Harmony Fund)
Global Memorial Wall, open to anyone wishing to remember a pet.
🌐 https://thepetmemorial.org/

Critters.com
Simple, free online pet memorials open to the public.
🌐 https://critters.com/

Lasting Paws Pet Memorial Service
Submit a public memorial with photos and stories, free to all.
🌐 https://www.lastingpawspetmemorial.com/

Lap of Love – Pet Memorials
Open to all pet parents; create a memorial page, light a virtual candle.
🌐 https://www.lapoflove.com/pet-memorial

Pet Memorial Directories and Resource Pages

Love, Baxter
End-of-life and grief support platform with a public Pet Loss & Grief Resource Directory and memorial store.
Led by certified grief counselors
🌐 https://lovebaxter.com/

Best Friends Animal Society – Grief Resource Hub
Videos, meditations, & links to networks
🌐 https://bestfriends.org/pet-care-resources/grieving-loss-pet-resources-coping

RedRover – Pet Loss Resources
National directory organized by state. Includes hotlines, support groups, and grief resources.
🌐 https://redrover.org/resources/pet-loss-resources/

Ohio State University – Veterinary Medical Center
Curated list of pet loss hotlines, online chats, and in-person/virtual support groups.
🌐 https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/resources/pet-loss-support