Nurse Clinic - Pet Bereavement

The bond that is often formed between human and pet can be strong and lasting, therefore having to say goodbye can be one of the hardest things we will have to do. Feelings of despair, loneliness and even depression can be overwhelming, and self-doubt quite often occurs when having to make the difficult decision to have our pet put to sleep. These feelings are completely normal, and some may experience them more than others. Everybody grieves differently and it’s important to understand that we don’t all process grief in the same way.

Just as every pet is unique, every relationship between a person and their pet is unique. The mixture of feelings that we each experience during pet loss will vary from one person to the next.

We understand the pain and grief that comes with having to say goodbye to our pets, and we want to be able to help support you through these difficult times. Whether you are struggling to make the decision to say goodbye, you know the time may be near or you are finding the feelings of loss overwhelming, we can be here to listen. We can guide you through the process of euthanasia for those who may be unsure or worried as well as talk you through all the options to decide what would be best for both you and your pet when the time comes.

Here at Penbode Vets, we pride ourselves in taking the best care of both pets and their owners, through all the ups and downs, including supporting you through the last goodbye. Our Registered Veterinary Nurse, Louise, has completed a qualification with the Blue Cross on Pet Bereavement Support. She is always happy to help with any questions or concerns that you may have and will share information with you to help you through those difficult days.

“Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I’ll miss you, until we meet again.”

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PCS – our memorial service

After the procedure we can return your pet’s body to you for a private cremation or to be buried at your home.

We work with PCS, who provide a compassionate cremation service for all of our clients, as well as a range of memorial options.

To find out more about PCS you can visit their website or speak to a member of our team in practice.

Further help: Compassion Understood

After a difficult or traumatic event, it can be useful to speak about your feelings.

Compassion Understood is a service which provides support for pet owners before, during and after a bereavement, to help you to reach the best decision and to cope with your pet’s passing.

They work with veterinary professionals and specialist pet loss experts, and can help to make a difficult time more bearable.

To find out more about Compassion Understood and how they can help you, visit their website or speak to a member of our team in practice.