Pet Loss Support

Losing a pet is losing a family member. Some of your friends and colleagues may not understand the sadness that you feel surrounding this difficult time. It is important to understand that grief over the loss of your beloved pet is normal. The veterinarians and staff members at St Francis truly understand how you feel during this time and are here to support you. In addition, there are excellent online and community resources available that are staffed with individuals who understand how truly difficult pet loss is.

Our purpose is to help you find comfort during this time. We have provided a directory of local resources, websites, books, and articles to assist you through your journey.

Local Grief Support Resources

• Animal Emergency & Referral Center, Oakdale MN

  Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota offers a Pet Loss Support Group that meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 7-8:30pm. In November and December, the group is held on the third Tuesday due to the holidays. The group may be held in person or virtually via Zoom. Please contact Heidi at (651) 501-3759, ext. 3005, or heidibrenegan@aercmn.com for more information or if you would like to attend.

• Companion Animal Love, Loss, and Memories Group (CALLM)

  The University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) offers a biweekly bereavement group to support those grieving the loss of a beloved animal. Whether you are facing an imminent or recent death, the CALLM group will provide you with a supportive and confidential environment in which to share your story. CALLM sessions are facilitated by the staff of VMC Social Work Services on the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus. The CALLM Group meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. Dates may be adjusted to accommodate holidays. Please call to confirm our schedule before attending. Sessions begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and conclude at 8:00 p.m. All group attendees must call in advance for pre-screening and to reserve a seat. Please call Veterinary Social Services at 612-624-9372 for details.

Online/Telephone Resources

• Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
• Argus Institute Counseling and Support Services 
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Pet Loss Support
• Pet Loss Help
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Support Hotline (607) 253-3932
• ASPCA End Of Life Care Information
• Lap of Love Pet Loss Support
• Minnesota Pets Grief Support
• Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Support Hotline

Disclaimer : The purpose of the Pet Loss Support Directory is to provide you a listing of resources available. St Francis is not affiliated with any of these organizations other than the AVMA and has no control over the services provided. Every effort was made to ensure that the information herein was accurate at the time of publication. St Francis assumes no responsibility for any changes made by individual businesses.