Who We Are and What We Do

Offering befriending and support to bereaved pet owners nationwide since 1993

You may be interested to learn about the work of the Pet Bereavement Support Group. It was founded on 5th May 1993, as there was a very apparent need for such a service. This free, confidential service offers telephone befriending, advice and support by letter / e-mail or text message to bereaved pet owners nation-wide. 

We also offer a visiting service to clients in Nottinghamshire / Derbyshire. 

We assure our clients that it is perfectly normal to grieve for their pets and give them the time and space in which to do so. We are delighted to inform you that the service is being used exactly as it was intended.

Our posters are displayed in the local community and people are referred by Veterinary Surgeons, Clergy, Health Care Professionals, and their families or by self-referral. The work of our group is advertised nationally through the Citizens Advice Bureau, R.S.P.C.A. and the National Association of Community Volunteer Organisations. Our local council Dog Warden supports us and the Police - who will give people our details if their pets are killed, lost or stolen.

Since our formation in 1993, we have helped well over 12,000 clients. The work that we do has many dimensions. We have information available on such subjects as pet crematoria, a useful reading list, taxidermy and spiritual healing for pets. We also find the answers to legal queries on behalf of our clients.

We certainly didn’t intended doing this, but we also help to re-home animals! 

We have a Pets ‘Book of Remembrance’ where clients send us a photograph and a message to / about their pet and it is opened every day on a different page. Clients can request to have it opened on a particular date i.e. a birthday or anniversary of their pet's death. 

We spend approximately 20 hours per week involved in providing the service and as the service is unique, we have had enquiries from every corner of the British Isles. For many people - especially elderly people who live alone - the loss of their companion pet is truly devastating. 

As our charity is not a glamorous one (and let’s face it - the Trustees are ugly too!) it is virtually impossible to attract sponsorship. 

We are entirely self funded so any donation, however small, is always more than gratefully received.