This Sunday, June 14th is World Pet Memorial Day. Losing a pet can be a devastating and heart-wrenching experience that all pet owners have or will endure. It is an honor to be able to be there for pets and their families during such an important time in their lives together. Below are some suggestions for how to pay tribute to the furry loves of your lives.
- Volunteer at your local animal shelter or rescue group.
If you are not ready to welcome a new pet into your home quite yet, give back by volunteering your time and company. There are so many different types of activities you can volunteer to do — there is something for everyone! Friends of Homeless Animals has volunteer opportunities for Cat Snugglers, Dog Walkers, and fundraising. For more information visit their website.
- Donate funds or goods to an animal shelter or rescue group in your pet’s name.
Don’t have time to volunteer? Help by donating money or goods to shelters or rescue groups. They are always in need of essentials like paper towels, Dawn dish detergent, and snap martingale collars. Visit the Animal Welfare League of Arlington donation page to see what other items they are in need of.
- Create a memorial in a special place in your home or in your garden.
If you have the space, create a special area in your home or garden to remember your beloved pet. A bench in a garden with memorial plaque is a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors and reminisce about the joy your pet brought to your life.
- Plant flowers, a tree, or a shrub in your pet’s name.
Even if you don’t have the space to dedicate an entire area to your pet’s memory, flowers or other plants will make you smile whenever you see them. To ensure that you don’t plant something that could be toxic to dogs and cats, please check the ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant list.
- Make a memory book or photo album.
Since we all probably have a ton of photos of our pets on our phones, having photos of our pets has gotten easier than ever. There are so many different websites and apps available that make creating a memory book simple and seamless. Check out Mosaic or Mixbook.
- Create a memorial post on social media.
Losing a pet can be an incredibly personal and intimate life event. Some may find comfort in sharing their story with the public and in turn, finding solace in other’s stories. The pet lovers community is a strong one and can be a shoulder to lean on.
No matter how or when you choose to remember your pet, their impact on our lives is felt deeply in our hearts and is unmistakable. How do you honor your pet’s memory?
