Pet loss and bereavement
Our pets are so very special to us, providing unconditional love with total acceptance, often becoming a companion and sharing our experiences. It is therefore understandable that when this bond is severed, the sense of loss is often difficult to come to terms with, both emotionally and physically. These feelings are normal and a testimony to the special bond between people and their pets. Unfortunately, not everyone understands this grief and it can be a very lonely experience.
Support for bereaved pet owners
Support is available for anyone who has lost a pet, or is about to part with a pet, through the Pet Bereavement Support Service run by Blue Cross.
This is a confidential telephone and email service that offers emotional support to pet owners through a national network of trained volunteer befrienders. Since its launch in 1994, the service was helped thousands of pet owners of all ages and from all walks of life. Losing a pet of any kind can be very painful and all contact with the service is treated sensitively and with compassion.
GSPCA Memorial Garden and Chapel of Rest
During GSPCA Purple Week in Feburary 2019 the Memorial Garden and Chapel of Rest were officially opened.
The Chapel of Rest is a wonderful enclosed private summer house that is provided to help those that wish to spend the last moments with their beloved pet if they wish to do so before they are cremated or to identify them if they are found as a road traffic accident. The Chapel of Rest can even also be used for small private ceremonies to help the family through their loss and celebrate the life of their pet, please do get in touch to find out more.
There is an altar within the Chapel of Rest, comfy seats, heater and an atmosphere to help those through what is always a difficult time.
The Chapel of Rest is also available for bereaved pet owners if they need a quiet area, inside to reflect and and remember the happy times with their beloved pet.
Our Memorial Garden is an area on site with a water feature, landscaped and with benches and seats for bereaved pet owners to spend and remember the happy times with their pets. The Chapel of Rest and Memorial Garden has been a real community project to provide a special area for the pet owners of Guernsey after the loss of their pet.
Within the Memorial Garden is a stone built heart where pet owners can scatter the ashes of their pets and again if you would like to use the area for a ceremony please do get in touch.
The main opening times for these areas to the public are 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm but if you would like access to these areas outside of these hours please do not hesitate to call 01481 257261 or email [email protected]
If you would like an engraved heart in memory of your pet in the Memorial garden please do get in touch.
Telephone support
The support line is open seven days a week 8:30am - 8:30pm with an answerphone outside these hours. To make contact, call the freephone number 0800 096 6606.
A caller is given the contact details of the nearest available telephone befriender. The first call is free; thereafter calls are at local rates wherever possible.
Support by email
The Pet Bereavement Support Service also offers an email service for people who prefer to write about how they are feeling.
Guernsey Bereavement Service
Bereavement is a part of life we all experience at some time.
It can be extremely painful and distressing, turning your life upside down. We are here to help you.
Who is the Guernsey Bereavement Service?
The Guernsey Bereavement Service is a free, voluntary, confidential counselling service available for everyone. The aim of the service is to meet the needs of bereaved persons regardless of age, sex, religion, ethnic background or cause of death.
What is counselling?
Counselling gives you the opportunity to talk through issues in a non-threatening, non-judgemental and safe atmosphere. A contract of several sessions can be arranged between you and your appointed counsellor.
They offer sessions by appointment with trained counsellors, where you will be listened to by people who understand.
Counselling sessions take place in a private room, where every effort is made to help you feel at ease. For many people just being able to talk through their situation can be a means of relief from guilt, depression, rejection and many other challenges that suffering a bereavement may bring.
Guernsey Bereavement Service counsellors
Their counsellors are volunteers, drawn from varied professional backgrounds.
They undergo training to maintain the highest possible standards.
All counsellors receive regular independent supervision and all agree to abide by the Ethical Framework of the British Association of Counselling Code of Conduct. This is a code of practise which emphasises the importance of confidentiality.
The Guernsey Bereavement Service is affiliated with Cruse Bereavement Care, UK.
Is there a charge?
They are a voluntary organisation, relying on charitable donations.
The next step...
If you think we they can be of service to you then please phone their bereavement line on:
Tel: 01481 251056
Fax: 01481 257778
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.thisisguernsey.co.uk/charities/code/showcharity.pl?Autoincrement=000009&page=Home
Missing my Pet
Missing my Pet was written by Alex Lambert, aged 6, after the sudden loss of his pet dog called star. It deals with the initial illness of a pet, the death of a pet and the emotions that we all go through afterwards. It also helps children understand cremation, how to remember their pet and tackles the question of getting another pet. The book is superb and also comes with a supporting booklet that has helpful advice for parents.
Available here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/missing-my-pet-alex-lambert/dp/0955411815
