Animal Friends' Pet Bereavement Hub
Here for you, through goodbye and beyond...
As pet parents ourselves, the majority of our team here at Animal Friends understand just how heartbreaking and difficult it is to lose a dog, cat, or horse. Our pets are part of our family, which means when it’s time to say goodbye to them, they inevitably leave a huge gap in our hearts and lives.
If you are about to go through, or have just been through, this difficult experience, please know that you’re not alone. We're here to support you through the goodbye and beyond, as you deal with losing your four-legged best friend.
In this quiet little corner, we’ve shared our own experiences of this moment, alongside offering some advice in a hope it may help you through this difficult time.
Find someone to talk to Preparing for goodbye During goodbye After goodbye Pet bereavement FAQ's
Find someone to talk to
In the same way you’re there for others following the loss of a beloved family member, taking care of yourself is an important part of the grieving process, too. One of the most effective ways to process what you are going through, and to find comfort, is to reach out to people who’ve experienced what you’re feeling or are trained to provide bereavement support.
Here’s information for several bereavement support services, in case you feel you may need a little extra help coping with the loss of your much-loved dog, cat, or horse:
Cats Protection Paws to Listen
Cats Protection has a confidential phone line called Paws to Listen to provide support if you're suffering the bereavement of your feline friend.
British Horse Society (BHS) Friends at the End
British Horse Society (BHS) Friends at the End is a service available to support you if you’ve sadly lost your horse.
Samaritans
Samaritans' helpline is available every single day of the year and gives you the time and space to talk about your loss.
Rainbow Bridge Resources for Helping a Child Cope with Pet Loss
If your child is struggling to process the loss of your family pet, the Rainbow Bridge website offers lots of advice and useful resources to support children aged 2-11 years.
Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service
Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service can provide emotional support when you need it most.
Contact a Qualified Pet Bereavement Counsellor
You can get free telephone support with a qualified pet bereavement counsellor by booking an appointment here.
Preparing for goodbye
When is the right time to say goodbye to your pet?
Read our vet-approved guidance on how to know when it's the right time to say goodbye to your much-loved pet.
How to prepare an end-of-life plan with your vet
Read our vet-approved advice on how to prepare an end-of-life plan for your pet.
How to give your pet the best last day
As their final chapter approaches, feel inspired by our ideas for ways to give your pet the best last day.
Saying goodbye
Should I stay with my pet when they're put to sleep
To help with your decision, read about our team's experiences of saying goodbye to their beloved pets.
What happens after your pet has been put to sleep
Find out what to expect after saying goodbye to your much-loved dog, cat, or horse.
Coping with a sudden or unexpected loss of a pet
Find support to help you cope with the sudden or unexpected loss of a beloved dog, cat, or horse.
Beyond goodbye
Understanding the different stages of pet loss grief
Discover the different stages of pet loss grief, and find out where you can access bereavement support.
After losing a pet, when it the right time to get another?
Explore the considerations you may want to take into account before bringing a new pet home.
Ways to give back following the loss of a pet
Learn about the ways you can give back to animals in need, in memory of your beloved dog, cat, or horse.
Find more support and guidance in our blog. Discover articles on topics like when to say goodbye to your pet, supporting grieving friends, pet cremation, and more.
Pet bereavement FAQs
If your dog, cat, or horse has passed away, please accept our deepest condolences.
Our agents understand how difficult it is to lose a dog, cat, or horse. As such, you can rest assured that our team will always handle your call with the utmost care, kindness, and respect.
You can call our compassionate team on: 0344 557 0300
However, if you’re not feeling up to discussing the loss of your dog, cat, or horse over the phone, here are the alternative ways you can get in touch:
- Use our Live Chat
- Email us at: info@animalfriends.co.uk
Please note: We cannot cancel a policy without the policyholder’s permission.
While we understand that this is a difficult time, depending on whether you call us, send an email, or contact us via Live Chat, you may still need to provide details such as:
- Policy number.
- The date your pet passed away.
- Identification details for Data Protection purposes (e.g. name, postcode, etc.).
Please know that these questions are not intended to cause any further upset, we just need these details to make sure we can update your policy correctly.
Important: If your dog, cat, or horse passed away more than a month ago, you may be entitled to a refund. We’ll need to ask for a copy of their veterinary history to confirm the date they passed away, to accurately work out the amount of refund due.
The cancellation of your policy won’t affect the review of any claim you are intending to submit, providing that the policy premium for the treatment period has been paid.
Cancelling your policy will stop any future payments from being debited following the death of your dog, cat, or horse.
To access support, you can reach out to organisations like the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service.
Please see your Policy Booklet for full details about what is and isn’t covered by your policy. You can see all your policy information in your online account.
Important: For dogs over 8 years and 1 day, cats over 10 years and 1 day, or horses over 20 years, we’ll only cover deaths as a result of accidents.
There is no cover if your dog or cat dies, or is put to sleep, if you have an Accident Only policy.
If you need to make a claim, we’ll ask your vet for your dog’s, cat’s, or horse’s records, so we can confirm how and when they passed away.
We might also need to ask you to send us some more information. This could include copies of a pedigree certificate (if applicable) and the purchase receipt to show how much you paid for your dog, cat, or horse.
- Print off a claim form (or ask us to send you a form in the post).
- Complete the claim form. Please ensure the form is signed by the policyholder and you’ve attached any supporting documentation, as requested, to the claim form.
- Send us the claim form. You can email us the claim form and documents or send them to us by post.
Please send all completed forms to claimform@animalfriends.co.uk or by post to: Animal Friends Insurance Ltd, Number 1 The Crescent, Sunrise Way, Amesbury, Wiltshire, SP4 7QA.
We will aim to process your claim within 5-7 working days. If needed, you’re able to discuss your claim by calling us on 0344 557 0300, 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
For support, please reach out to organisations like the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service.
If your dog, cat, or horse sadly passes away or is put to sleep, we may be able to cover some of what you paid for them. The amount we’re able to pay depends on how they passed away, how old they were when they passed, and how much you paid for them.
You may also be able to claim for costs of any treatment your dog, cat, or horse received from a vet before they passed away.
We realise that the loss of your dog, cat, or horse is a difficult time, so we’ll try to handle your claim as quickly and as sensitively as possible. To help us do this, please tell us about your dog’s, cat’s, or horse’s passing as soon as you can.
Please see your Policy Booklet for full information about making a claim. You can see all your policy information in your online account.
Important information if you have a dog over 8 years and 1 day, or a cat over 10 years and 1 day, or a horse covered by our Mature horse policy which is over 20 years of age: We’ll only cover deaths as a result of accidents.
Please note: There is no cover if your dog or cat dies, or is put to sleep, if you have an Accident Only policy.