PetFriends Bereavement Center and 24-hour petloss support Helpline
PetFriends
1-800-404-PETS
When you lose a special friend who has played a very special role
in your life, it's natural to experience feelings of emptiness,
confusion, grief, anger, guilt - sometimes even relief. But not
everyone will understand how much your pet meant to you and how
painful coping with your loss can be. At a time like this, you need
special friends - PetFriends.
Fact Sheet:
What is PetFriends, Inc.?
PetFriends, Inc., is a private nonprofit organization providing
compassionate telephone support to people who have lost, or who
anticipate losing, a pet through death or any other kind of
separation.
Who are PetFriends?
The helpers on the phone lines are not professional counselors. They
are animal-loving volunteers who have been trained by a licensed
Clinical Social Worker in grief issues, active listening skills and
other helping techniques.
When can PetFriends help?
* When your pet has died or been diagnosed with a chronic
or life-threatening illness.
* If your pet has run away or had an accident.
* When there's been a divorce, or someone in the family is seriously
allergic and the pet must be given up.
* If there's a behavior problem, and the pet can no longer stay in
the household.
* Anytime when feelings of guilt or sadness are overwhelming.
How does the PetFriends service work?
Callers call the PetFriends number and leave a message (1-800-404-
PETS). Messages are checked regularly and calls are returned the same
day, if possible. PetFriends volunteers provide additional support to
callers by mailing them pet loss reading lists and other relevant
information. If a caller needs to speak with someone immediately,
he/she will be given the number for the local chapter of CONTACT, an
international helpline, which has offered to provide backup
assistance to our organization.
Is there a charge for this service?
There is no charge to callers for the PetFriends service unless they
are calling long distance. In that case, the call may be returned
collect, and callers would be notified of that when they leave their
message.
Why is there a need for PetFriends?
Pet bereavement can be a very lonely experience: Feelings of grief
over the loss of a pet can run as deeply as those experienced when a
beloved human friend or family member dies. Yet, society offers
little sympathy for pet owners in grief. ("It was only a dog. You can
always get another one.") By offering a resource tailored
specifically to the needs of grieving pet owners, PetFriends will
provide pet owners with a compassionate and understanding ear, as
well as work to advance the public's appreciation for the legitimacy
of pet owner grief.
Many potential callers: According to the American Veterinary
Association, there are 1,205,000 dog owners and 1,421,000 cat owners
in New Jersey alone.
Without support, many owners will not get another pet: Statistics
show approximately 15% of former pet owners refrain from adopting
other companion animals because the pet loss experience was too
painful to repeat.
Without support, Many owners will get the wrong pet: Grieving pet
owners frequently jump into a new - and ultimately unsuccessful
relationship when they try to get a new pet before they have allowed
themselves the time to go through the normal healthy grieving process
for the one that was lost. When the new animal does not work out, it
must be given up, further crowding shelters and driving the owner
deeper into sorrow and despair.
For more info, email Linda D'Amico, Program Director at
Linaka1216@aol.com
You may also visit the PetFriends web site at
http://www.pawstoheaven.com/petfriends.html
(Note: Some of the info on the website is not current and will be
updated)
Reminder: PetFriends Fundraiser
Fundraiser for PetFriends
Forwarded message - please reply to Linaka1216@aol.com
Fundraiser for PetFriends
This fundraiser is vitally important to PetFriends.
PetFriends the 24-hour petloss support Helpline is fortunate to be
named the designated charity this year for:
The Glassman Family Holiday Open House
14 Cobblestone Lane
Annandale, NJ
Saturday, December 11th 4:00 PM--8:00 PM
Sunday, December 12th 1:00 PM--8:00 PM
I'm pleased to add that this opportunity for PetFriends came from one
of our callers that realized the value of our service when she called.
For additional information call Linda at 856-234-5484 ext. 211 or
email Linaka216@aol.com
Linda D'Amico
PerFriends Director
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Nov. 27, 2004