Coping with the Sudden Loss of a Cat
Losing a 4 legged family member can be just as hard as losing any other family member. We always hope they have a full and healthy life, but sometimes the opportunity to see them grow to old age and pass of natural causes is taken away from us. The unexpected and sudden death of a pet leaves a profound impact on us - particularly when they have been taken from us under less than compassionate circumstances, such as a hit and run. Our brains are not programmed to accept the sudden shock and senseless loss of someone we loved so dearly, and the need for some form of closure and understanding of the situation is a process that many of us struggle with.
The relationship shared with our pets is a special and unique bond, a bond which sometimes others find difficult to understand. In terms of a road accident loss, it's a cruel new reality we have to battle to come to terms with, one which we hope no one feels like they have to bear completely alone.
Paws to Listen
Grief Support Service
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Cats Protection offers a free and confidential grief support service where anyone is welcomed with an empathetic, non-judgemental listening ear offering emotional and practical help in coping with the loss of a cat.
The services is supported by free online guides and leaflets to help owners with sensitive issues including understanding euthanasia and how to help children deal with the death of a much-loved pet.
You can contact this service on 0800 024 94 94. Lines are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, but a call-back service is also available. If you prefer, you can email support service at pawstolisten@cats.org.uk
Cats Protection also also have a range of resources and information that can be found HERE.
BLUE CROSS
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
Blue Cross are happy to open their ears and offer professional emotional support. Whether you have lost a cat, are facing losing a cat, or simply need somebody to talk to about losing any pet under any circumstance, the team are keen for people to know they are just an email or phone call away.
Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS) can be contacted on Freephone: 0800 096 6606 or email: pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk for those who are more comfortable writing their feelings down. The helpline is open every day of the year from 8.30am to 8.30pm and completely free, and confidential. We urge people to understand they are NEVER alone so do reach out, and allow people to help who understand your grief.
Everyone is different in their preferred way of opening up to people when grieving. While some prefer to write feelings down, others take comfort in speaking face to face, either in person or via video call. The Scottish Pet Bereavement Counselling Service offer a holistic service helping people find ways to build their resilience at such a difficult time and help them develop healthy coping mechanisms in addition to traditional counselling.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
One thing we want our supporters to know is that they are never alone. We personally understand what you are going through having sadly lost our own cats to the road. We understand the pain of coming to terms with a new reality and the anger upon learning a driver fled the scene leaving them alone roadside. We get the range of emotions forced upon people.
We will always be just an email or a PM away if fellow victims' parents ever want to discuss their emotional journey with us, and reach out to a friend.
