Resources for Navigating Pet Loss
Whether you are preparing for end of life arrangements for a terminally ill or aging pet, or your pet has already crossed the rainbow bridge, pet loss can be a very difficult thing to navigate, and you may find that many of your friends or relatives don’t fully understand. One thing we want to impress upon you if you’re going through this is that your grief is normal, healthy, and ok. Pets are a huge part of our lives and are an integral part of our families. They do life with us day in and day out, share our beds, and hold us to our routines. The loss you are feeling is real, and it’s ok to take time to grieve.
We photograph pets who are nearing the end stages of their life, and the love we capture between these pets and their people is absolutely beautiful. We feel honored to get to capture such beautiful legacies.
We’ve compiled a list of resources to help you navigate the loss you are going through or are preparing to go through in hopes that it will help you in your journey.
Remember, it’s not just a pet- it’s a family member- and the grief you are experiencing is normal and ok.
End of Life Care and Euthanasia Options
I know that this can be an uncomfortable subject, but it is important to go over options and have a plan in place for end of life care for your pet. You’ll want to work closely with your vet to see what options are available. Some vets offer in-home euthanasia as a services to their patients, which allows your pet to pass in the comfort of their home, surrounded by the people, sounds, and smells they love most.
Here are a few vets within the Albuquerque Metro who offer in home euthanasia services:
Chamisa Veterinary Services: https://www.chamisavet.com/in-home-euthanasia.html
Pet Care Express: https://www.nmmobilevets.com/copy-of-other-services
Pet Loss at Home : https://petlossathome.com/mobile-vet/new-mexico/albuquerque-cat-dog-euthanasia/
Cremation and Memorial Services
Another important thing to plan for is cremation or burial and other memorial options for after your pet passes. We recommend planning well in advance if possible so that you can know exactly what to expect and how much to budget for. Getting caught off guard when you’re already grieving can be really hard. Of course, if you’re not able to plan ahead, that’s ok, too, but hopefully having this resource will help!
Here are a few of the pet cremation and pet memorial options available in the Albuquerque Area:
Best Friends Pet Cremation: https://www.bestfriendspetcremation.com/services/
Lasting Paws Memorials: https://www.lastingpawspetmemorial.com/
French Funeral Home: https://www.frenchfunerals.com/pet-services
Grief Counseling Services
Lap of Love Pet Loss Support: https://www.lapoflove.com/our-services/pet-loss-support
The Pet Loss Support Group: https://www.pet-loss.net/
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement: https://www.aplb.org/
End of Life Photography Services
The Tilly Project: https://thetillyproject.org/ (this organization offers a free database of photographers who offer end of life photo services around the world).
Cheyenne Chavez Photography: www.cheyennechavez.com/senior-legacy-portraits (we are located in the Albuquerque metro area and are here for you as you prepare for your pet’s journey across the rainbow bridge).
We photograph pets and their people.
Contact us to learn more about how you can have beautiful portraits featuring your pet!