Pet Memorials: Remembering a beloved pet
Losing someone special is never easy. But commemorating your pet’s life — and your enduring connection — can provide comfort and light in the darkest of moments.
Here at Best Friends, home to the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the country, grief can arrive when we least expect it. But so too do the hope and healing that come from remembering those we love. That’s why we offer this unique digital space to create a lasting and personal tribute to your cherished companion.
Memorializing your pet
Whether you are creating a memorial for your own pet or on behalf of a grieving loved one, you’ll be able to easily share your tribute, including via social media.
See how others are remembering their special pets
Pay tribute to your special animal companion by creating a pet memorial. It’s simple, and we’ll guide you through each step of the process.
A peaceful place of remembrance
At the heart of Best Friends is Angels Rest, a place of comfort where we remember cherished dogs, cats, and other animals who have passed and pay tribute to these never-forgotten companions.
Other meaningful ways to remember your pet
If you’d like to pay tribute to your pet or the pet of a loved one, wind chimes can be sent directly to you.
Additional ways to commemorate a pet
There are several ways to honor the memory of a cherished pet, and each one can provide comfort while bringing love and care to animals around the country.
Provide support with memorial gifts
Show love, care, and support for a grieving loved one: Browse pet sympathy gifts in our online store to find special and unique ways to pay tribute.
Honor the memory of a pet with a personal fundraiser
Our easy-to-use digital fundraising tool allows you to commemorate a special pet or person while raising funds and awareness for the animals. Spread the word and make a big impact.
Find comfort in community
Continue the healing journey by posting photos, sharing memories, and connecting with like-minded people who understand the depth of the human-animal bond.
Place a pet memorial in ‘Best Friends’ magazine
You can submit a pet memorial for consideration on the Saying Goodbye page in Best Friends magazine. Please send your submission, along with a photo, to editor@bestfriends.org.
Request a complimentary sympathy card with keepsake
Request our complimentary sympathy card package, which provides everything you need to make a donation to the animals and/or create a memorial tribute for a beloved pet.
Paint a memorial rock to remember your pet
Here at Best Friends, we have a long-held tradition of painting memorial stones in honor of animals who have passed. You can follow along to create a beautiful memorial stone of your own.
Tune in for a live memorial rock painting class on September 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. MT or September 21 from 12 to 2 p.m. MT on Instagram (@bestfriendsanimalsociety).
Join us for a special blessing on September 28
Our monthly blessing ceremonies are a wonderful way to remember and celebrate special pets who are gone from our lives but not from our hearts.
Coping with pet loss
Grief over the passing of a pet is very real, and coping can be a challenging — and even misunderstood — process. No amount of time with our best friends is enough, and saying goodbye can be devastatingly difficult.
Guided reflections to help you cope with grief
Take a moment to breathe, reflect, and find calm with our 10-minute guided meditation on pet loss and remembrance.
Resources for coping with the loss of your pet
The grieving process is personal and can differ tremendously from person to person. We hope that in time the memories of your pet become a comfort and a light.
Pet loss workshop
Clinical psychologist Dr. Katie Lawlor and Best Friends' own Patty Hegwood discuss effective coping skills and ways to honor pets' lives.
Moving through grief with yoga
Join fellow animal-lovers in this yoga practice accessible to all student levels, centering on movement of energy through the body to explore and release grief.
Love Lives On: Pet Loss Journaling
We know how hard it is to deal with the loss of a pet, and we have an expert to help you.
Honor your pet with a memorial
Pay tribute to your special animal companion by creating a pet memorial. The process is simple, and you’ll be guided at your own pace through each step.