The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement offers a wealth of online options HERE.

Pet Loss and Grief Support Group in Athens, Georgia

If you are in the Athens, Georgia area, come join our peer-led Pet Loss and Grief Support group. We meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. We understand your depth of love and your grief for your animal companion.

This is a free group. Donations to help support the space are gratefully accepted and never required.

Let us know that you are coming so we can let you in the building’s locked door.

All who want support for grief related to animal companions are welcome!

We ask that you agree to these group values before joining us:

Confidentiality—Whatever is said in Grief Support Group stays in Grief Support Group. Even if you don’t use the person’s name, their story is not yours to share. Unless you obtain explicit permission from the person about the exact story/wisdom/observation you want to share, do not share it.

Consent—We want support, listening, and understanding. We generally don’t want advice or coaching. If you have a bit of knowledge that you feel would be helpful to someone, ask them if they want to hear it. Wait for their answer. If the answer is “no,” respect that.

Acceptance—It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to let others cry. It doesn’t need to be fixed because there is nothing wrong. Hold the crying person figuratively with compassion. No one needs to be held literally unless they ask to be held or hugged.

Back-up—Pick up our list of suggested professional counselors and keep it where you can find it. If you are feeling dangerously down or begin thinking about leaving this world, call those numbers until you get a quickly upcoming appointment. In an emergency, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Or visit 988lifeline.org