Pet Loss and Animal Bereavement Counselling with Kate Ashley
According to statistics by Jackson (2024), Australia has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world About ¾ of the population have at least 1 pet, with the average household having 1.3 dogs and 1.6 cats. Other pets including birds, fish, reptiles, small mammals, horses and other livestock are also very popular with Australians collectively spending over 22 billion dollars on pets per year.
Most Australians under 65 are likely to own a pet, especially those who grew up with pets with many adults saying they are motivated to have pets for comfort, affection, and companionship. During the pandemic pet ownership rose dramatically however, due to Australians going back to their normality after the lockdown, many of these pets were returned to shelters.
So, it is no surprise then that animals as companions are playing increasingly significant roles in our social, family and private lives, and for many are being seen and treated increasingly more as a family member than just a pet (PFIAA, 2020).
It is also clear our caring and work relationships with animals can also be taken even more broadly than the loved family pet. Many people work with service and therapy animals or care for animals in contexts like research, farming, wildlife conservation, veterinary care, training, performing and more. All, form a variety of important human animal relationships and bonds in the lives of these animals and their handlers, that may or may not include the animal’s role as pet, yet still involve care, relationship and experiences of loss.
When a pet or another animal we feel close to becomes ill, needs rehoming, or dies, the grief can be significant, confronting, confusing and sometimes overwhelming. These feelings of loss for some pet parents / owners, are known to be as significant and painful as losing a human child or partner (Hughes & Lewis Harkin. 2022).
Unfortunately, society doesn’t always recognise or understand this loss as valid, which can make grieving harder. This lack of acknowledgment, known as "disenfranchised grief," can add to the pain for those mourning a beloved animal.
The grieving process for a pet is unique to each relationship, yet it can be just as intense as the process for human loss—and for some, even more so. Our experience of loss and grief for our pets and other animals can be complicated by experiences of disenfranchised grief, and our experiences of past griefs and traumas. This is where specific pet loss counselling and therapy can be very helpful.
Pet loss and bereavement counselling is important and valuable for people at all ages and stages of life. It not only acknowledges the genuine grief you are feeling at losing your pet animal, and the significant impacts on your life. It can also help you to learn to understand and cope with the loss, develop healthy strategies to better support and understand yourself as you grieve, and assist you to find ways to cope with the changes in your life.
Experiencing the loss of a pet can impact so many areas of your life that it is important to seek pet loss counselling and therapy from a qualified professional. The loss of a pet or animal we care deeply about, and the impact of this on our life, at any age, is no small thing. Never be afraid to reach out to a qualified and registered counsellor who specialises in pet and animal loss and bereavement to work with you as you find your path through your grief.
To book a free 15 minute consultation with Kate, please fill out the form below or contact our reception (02) 6013 9757.
References:
Ballard, Hallie. (2024, May). 10 Australia pet ownership statistics & facts: 2024 Update. Dogster. (online magazine).
Chamberlains Law Firm. Chamberlains Administrator. (2021, August 20).
Pets – Family members or personal property? Pets and family law. News & Insights. https://chamberlains.com.au/pets-family-members-or-personal-property/
Freamer, E. (2023). The unbearable loss of a pet. Amazon Publishing. https://www.amazon.com.au/Unbearable-Loss-Pet-Understanding-Compassionate/dp/B0CHL7MBG5/ref=asc_df_B0CHL7MBG5/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=649997435719&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14904944753291311873&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy
Hughes, B., & Lewis Harkin, B. (2022). The impact of continuing bonds between pet owners and their pets following the death of their pet: A systematic narrative synthesis. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228221125955
Jackson, Matt. (2024, June 25). 14 Australia pet Industry statistics to know in 2024: trends, market size & FAQ. Dogster. (online magazine).
https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/pet-industry-statistics-australia
Pet Food Industry Association Australia PFIAA. ( 2020, January 7). Pets are now family members. News & Resources. https://pfiaa.com.au/pets-are-now-family-members/