Saying goodbye to a much-loved pet can be one of the hardest experiences you face, so it’s natural to experience a wide range of emotions.
At The Irish Blue Cross, we understand that the bond we share with our pets is unlike any other. When that bond is broken, the grief can feel overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Blue Cross UK to provide a dedicated, free and confidential Pet Loss Support Helpline for people in Ireland on 1800 83 9954.
When you contact the service, your call or email will be answered by trained Pet Loss Support volunteers, who have extensive experience supporting people through pet bereavement with kindness, empathy and understanding.
You don’t have to face this alone.
Grief looks different for everyone.
You may feel heartbroken, numb, angry, guilty or lost. You may be questioning decisions you’ve made, particularly if your pet was euthanised or rehomed. Perhaps you’re struggling with the silence your pet has left behind, or you’re trying to prepare yourself for saying goodbye to a pet whose health is declining.
You may even be grieving a pet you lost many years ago.
Whatever you’re feeling, your emotions are valid, and you deserve support.
Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who truly understands the depth of the bond between people and their pets; someone who will simply listen, without judgement or expectation.
Pet Loss Support Helpline – Freephone: 1800 83 9954
Opening hours: 8.30am – 8.30pm, seven days a week, including public holidays.
Calls are answered by trained volunteers from the Blue Cross UK’s Pet Loss Support Service, working in partnership with The Irish Blue Cross.
Your call is free and completely confidential.
To protect your privacy, the volunteers cannot see your telephone number and are unable to return missed calls or voicemail messages.
If all volunteers are helping other callers, you may be asked to call back a little later. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
When you call, you’ll hear a short, recorded greeting before being connected to one of the trained Pet Loss Support volunteers.
The person you speak to is not there to judge you or tell you how you should feel. Instead, they’ll offer a compassionate listening ear, giving you the time and space to talk openly about your pet and your grief.
Whether you want to talk for a few minutes or a little longer, the volunteer will support you in whatever way feels most helpful.
Everything you share is treated in confidence, except in the rare circumstance where there are concerns about your safety or the safety of someone else.
The Pet Loss Support Service is provided by Blue Cross UK, whose trained volunteers have been supporting bereaved pet owners for over 30 years.
Every volunteer has experienced the loss of a beloved pet themselves and has completed specialist training in providing emotional support to people experiencing pet bereavement.
While they are not counsellors, they are experienced listeners who understand just how significant the loss of a pet can be. If you need additional support beyond the service they provide, they can also help signpost you to other appropriate organisations.
Sadly, not everyone understands the depth of grief that can follow the loss of a pet or how it can affect different people in different ways. Your experience with grief is as unique to you as was your bond with your pet!
You may hear well-meaning comments such as ‘it was just a dog’ or ‘you can always get another cat.’ These words can leave people feeling isolated at a time when they most need understanding.
Our pets are family. They share our homes, our routines and many of life’s biggest moments. Losing them can leave an enormous space in our lives.
Whether your grief is fresh or something you’ve carried quietly for years, you don’t have to keep it to yourself.
The Pet Loss Support Helpline is available every day from 8.30am to 8.30pm.
If you need urgent emotional support outside these hours, or if you’re worried about your own safety, please contact the Samaritans Ireland on 116 123, free of charge, at any time of the day or night.
If you believe you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact 999 or 112.
There is no right way to grieve, and there is no timeline for healing.
Whether your loss happened yesterday or many years ago, whether you’re preparing to say goodbye or trying to adjust to life without your pet, support is here whenever you’re ready to reach out.
No one should have to face pet loss alone.
