Living With Loss: Pet Loss University of Delaware Living with Loss

Many individuals form very meaningful relationships with their pets. When a pet becomes terminally ill, the individuals or family are faced with many decisions - palliative care at home or in a veterinary hospital, euthanasia...how to say "good-bye?" Because our society does not regard pet death as a "significant loss," the individuals/family are considered disenfranchised grievers. The needed support provided by others is often missing. However, there are sources of support available in the community and online.