Pet Bereavement Support Group

The loss of a pet or animal to which one has become emotionally bonded can be an intense loss, comparable with the death of a loved one. Whilst there is strong evidence that animals can feel such loss for other animals, this community focuses on human feelings, when an animal is lost, dies or otherwise is departed.

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/ Pet Bereavement Support Group

Adoption after death

Cour2520
Cour2520
Recently my cat that I raised from a kitten was hit by a car and his jaw was broken. The surgery was too much and my family didnt have enough money to pay for it so we had to put him down. It was the worst feeling in the world. Now, a month later our other cat has gone missing. We live in the country and found fur and blood near our driveway and across the road. We also found claw marks on the tree near a bit of blood. To me it doesnt seem like a lot of blood but we think she was taken by coyotes. It's been 4 days and shes never been gone this long so the chance of her returning are slim. Between this time I adopted a kitten from the shelter I volunteer at. I was conflicted because it made me feel like I was replacing my cat even thought it thought it would be a good healing thing for me and my dad since he was mostly our cat. Now we are thinking of rescuing another adult cat and I just want to know if this seems like we are replacing out cats since they have died. I wonder if anyone else has used adopting a new pet as a treatment for getting over pet bereavement too. I say these cats at the shelter cant have a home and we have an open one and we have so much love to give and these cats need it. Giving my love to another pet just seems to help me heal. Does it sound like I'm trying to forget about my pets? I would never want to be like that but I just want to know what you guys would think of adopting another pet shortly after a pet death.
yogacat
yogacat
I applaud you for opening your heart to a new family member. There is No right answer..Except what YOU know is the 'Right' time for you and your family. Healing is a Personal Path!!!! May you and the Kitties enjoy many Blessings!!
MrsS42603
MrsS42603
First of all, I am sorry for the losses of your kitties. And secondly, I agree with yogacat. Only you and your family can determine when the time is right to add a new furry member to your family. I wouldn't worry too much what other people think. There are a lot of people who don't really acknowledge the loss of a pet (especially cats) as a real loss, so they probably wouldn't think twice about how soon you've added a new member to your family.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Of course you would turn to another cat heart after the loss of your two good heart friends. It seems totally normal and healthy to me. The new cat will help you heal and actually keep you well connected to your lost love ones. You are to be congratulated for opening your home and your heart to another kitty.
JOYHOLY
JOYHOLY
HELLO WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS SO WONDERFUL, THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO CHANGE WHAT HAS HAPPEND, JUST BE MORE CAREFUL WITH THE CAT YOU HAVE NOW AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE INDOOR AT NIGHT , AND PROTECT THEM FROM THE COYOTE, LOVE LUCY***
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am so sorry for your loss. We lost our sweet Ginger (our dog that was only 3 years old) recently - she was hit by a car. It was devastating to our family (including our 7 year old terrier). We decided within a few days we needed to get another dog because we have so much love to give and our house was just too quiet. It would also give another animal would have a loving home. We adopted a little puppy (LuLu) and it was the best decision for our family - she needed a home and she has given us so much joy. Our Terrier is back to playing. It can be hard sometimes - as I still miss that funny face of Ginger but we know LuLu loves us and needs us and we love her so much. I understand how you feel...enjoy your new family and remember the good times with all your animals. :-)
thralkr
thralkr
We adopted another dog about 4 weeks after losing our basset hound to lymphoma. I felt the same way...was I replacing my baby? But when I suggested the idea to my son and told him that our basset would always be our dog even if we got another, he jumped at the chance. Hearing myself say that to him out loud helped me realize that I'll never replace our basset. There will never be another dog like her. We were adding to our family, and she is still a part of it. Our adoptee is getting adjusted and our other dog who was left behind by his buddy's death is happy to have another canine around. I still miss my basset, and sometimes I think maybe I'll wake up and this will all be a dream, but I don't hold any of that against our new pup. Each new day I'm sure that our decision to adopt a new dog was the right one, and I love all of my dogs, even the one who's not with us anymore.
SeaSky
SeaSky
I agree that getting a new pet is an intensely personal decision. The only thing that matters is that you are ready. Hugs to you...
stlaries411
stlaries411
My deepest sympathy to you for your lost. Everyone heals in their own time, and in thier own way. The lost of a loved one whether it is a human loved one or furry loved one takes time, but we lost our kittys (had 3 at one time) the most recent one of 16 years, Smokey passed on 12/13/12. The pain of losing him is so intense my heart hurts, but I have decided to definitely get another cat. We loved our cats of so many years and now I believe the love shouldn't stop I plan on getting another kitty to shower with the same love we had for our previous cats. Others have advised me to also get another cat in that it will help the grieving process. And no you're not guilty of replacing the love you had for your previous cat, but you should share that same love with another deserving kitty.
Best wishes with your new kitty.
ScarletAngel
ScarletAngel
I lost my Rottie on 12/23/12 to Chronic Renal Failure. We are looking for another dog now b/c we aren't a family without a dog. Nothing will replace Lacey (or Luke or KiKi or Penney or Ricke or Max or all the others that went before), but we need animals in our home and our lives.
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