Pet loss and bereavement
Pets are part of the family, so losing them has a devastating impact on our lives; we’re here to help you find the right support through this difficult time.
Find someone to talk to
The loss of your pet is understandably upsetting. So, you may be struggling to cope with a range of emotions, or need advice to help you make the best decisions for your pet and your family. Here are some resources you may find useful, if you’d like to speak to someone who understands what you’re going through…
Bereavement support
Don’t hesitate to call the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service on 0800 096 6606 if you’re struggling with the loss of your pet. The conversation with a Pet Loss Support volunteer is completely confidential, and you can call as many times as is needed. If you’re not quite ready to talk, you can get in touch with the Pet Loss Support team using their confidential online form, or through their webchat service. Alternatively, for a response within 48 hours, you could send an email: plsmail@bluecross.org.uk
This service is available for those who have lost any type of pet, whether that’s a dog, cat, small furry (e.g. rabbit), horse, donkey, bird, or reptile.
Please note: It doesn’t matter how long ago you lost your pet, or if you’re preparing to say goodbye, the fully trained Pet Loss Support team are there to listen.
The Blue Cross Pet Loss Support Service is available to help you, every day, from 8.30am until 8.30pm.
Cat loss support
Cats Protection has a confidential phone line called Paws to Listen for cat owners suffering the bereavement of a feline friend. They also have an email support service and can be contacted via: pawstolisten@cats.org.uk
You can call the Paws to Listen grief support service on 0800 024 9494 from 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
Another way to connect with Cats Protection’s Paws to Listen is through this contact form.
Horse bereavement support
There are also services available to support you if you’ve sadly lost your horse.
The British Horse Society (BHS) Friends at the End Service provides free confidential advice and support from 8:35am until 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 8:35am until 3pm on Fridays.
You can contact the BHS via their social media accounts, via phone 02476 840517 or through their email address: friendsattheend@bhs.org.uk
Samaritans
For support at any time of the day or night, contact Samaritans by calling 116 123.
Other ways to access support through Samaritans include:
- Sending an email.
- Writing a letter.
- Visiting a branch to speak with a trained volunteer.
Ways to support a friend after losing a pet
Here are some ways to help your friend get through a tough time.
Coping with the loss of a pet
Dealing with the loss of a pet can be traumatic - guest author Layla Beakhouse shares techniques that help with the grieving process.
How to help your children deal with the loss of a pet
It’s never easy to lose a pet, here's how to help children deal with losing their best friend.
Cancelling your policy
We appreciate that this is a difficult time. Therefore, you can cancel your policy via Live chat, email info@animalfriends.co.uk or by calling our compassionate UK team on 0344 557 0300.
The cancellation of your policy won’t affect the review of any claim you are intending to submit, providing that the premium for the treatment period has been paid. Cancelling your policy will stop any future payments from being debited following the loss of your pet.
What happens if your pet dies, or is put to sleep, and you choose to make a claim?
If your pet sadly passes away or is put to sleep, we may be able to cover some of what you paid for them. The amount we’ll pay depends on how they passed away, how old they were when they passed, and how much you paid for them.
We realise that the loss of your pet is a difficult time, so we’ll try to handle your claim as quickly as possible. To help us do this, please tell us about your pet’s passing as soon as you can.
Please see your Policy Booklet for full information about making a claim. You can see all your policy information in your online account.
Important: If you have a dog over 8 years and 1 day, or a cat over 10 years and 1 day, we’ll only cover deaths as a result of accidents. There is no cover if your pet dies or is put to sleep if you have an Accident Only policy.
If you have a Gold or Platinum policy and you have a dog over 9 years, or a cat over 11 years, we’ll only cover deaths as a result of accidents. There is no cover if your pet dies, or is put to sleep, if you have a Silver policy.
If you need to make a claim, we’ll ask your vet for your pet’s records so we can confirm how and when your pet died. We might also need to ask you to send us some more information. This could include copies of a pedigree certificate (if applicable) and the purchase receipt to show how much you paid for your pet.
- Print off a claim form (or ask us to send you a form in the post).
- Complete the claim form. Please ensure the form is signed by the policyholder and attach any supporting documentation, as requested, to the claim form.
- Send us the claim form. You can email us the claim form and documents or send them to us by post.
Please send all completed forms to claimform@animalfriends.co.uk or by post to: Animal Friends Insurance Ltd, Number 1 The Crescent, Sunrise Way, Amesbury, Wiltshire, SP4 7QA.
We will aim to process your claim within 5-7 working days. If needed, you’re able to discuss your claim by calling us on 0344 557 0300 9am-5pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of your pet – we understand how much they mean to you, and we’re here to help through this tough time.