Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

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Kawkawlin, MI
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

The APLB offers free online chat sessions with trained pet loss grief specialists. Excellence- endeavors to cultivate and train our team(s).

Our vision is to foster a society in which on-going empathetic pet loss and grief support services are widely accepted and available to pet families. The APLB's core values are the following:
Compassion- is constant in our efforts to provide an atmosphere of understanding of a pet parent’s pain in grief and we have a desire to mitigate that pain through coping strategies and support resources. Int

egrity- is dedicated to pursuing honest, transparent and ethical initiatives that will enhance our member benefits to our loyal members. Empowerment- strives to empower our members with education, networking and opportunities to engage in providing support to others. Goal setting and achieving those benchmarks are vital to our success. Community- is committed to collaborating and partnering with other organizations, associations and for-profit businesses to foster synergy and best practices for pet parents and pet industry professionals. Fiscal responsibility- is unwavering in our commitment to set standards of fiscal procedures and internal controls that demonstrate our responsibility to the fees collected and donations received.

09/01/2026

When Coworkers Don't Get It

Not everyone in your workplace will understand why you're grieving so deeply. Some may make insensitive comments. Dr. Sife's (founder of APLB) guidance (in the 'Loss of a Pet'): assert yourself calmly, but don't waste energy trying to convince those who are unwilling to understand.

How did the people in your workplace respond to your pet loss grief — and how did you handle it?

08/31/2026

It's Okay to Take Time Off

Dr. Sife (founder of APLB) advises that if your grief is intense, it's appropriate to take time off work. He suggests telling your employer there has been 'a death in the immediate family' — because that is true. You do not owe anyone more of an explanation than that.

Did you take time off after losing your pet — or do you wish you had? What did your workplace response feel like?

08/23/2026

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 2026
Remember the love. Light a candle. Support those who are grieving.
Each and every one of our beloved pets has left pawprints on our hearts.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is an opportunity to pause, remember, and honour the wonderful companion animals who have shared our lives — and to recognise the grief that follows when we lose them.

Join us for a Virtual Candle‑Lighting Ceremony
📆 Friday, August 28, 2026
🕑 7 PM Eastern Time
🎦 Online via Zoom

Bring a candle and your cherished memories. We will remember together.

aplb.org/rainbow-bridge-day-2026/

08/22/2026

Telling Stories About the One Before

Dr. Sife (founder of the APLB) in 'The Loss of a Pet' suggests telling your new pet stories about the one who came before. It honors the old bond, deepens the new one, and gives grief a loving, continuing presence in your life. The story isn't over — it just has a new chapter.

Have you talked to a new pet about the one you lost? What did that feel like?

08/21/2026

Visit the Shelter First

Dr. Sife (founder of the APLB) in 'The Loss of a Pet' recommends visiting an animal shelter to 'look around but not to adopt' as a step in readiness — to see how your heart responds, then visit again. If the feeling stays, you may be ready. Let the decision come slowly.

Did you visit a shelter before deciding to adopt again? What was that experience like?

08/20/2026

A New Pet Is Not a Replacement

The new animal is not a replacement — they are a new relationship, a new love, a new chapter. Dr. Sife (founder of APLB) is clear about this. Your grief for your previous pet does not diminish. Your heart simply grows to hold both.

How did you feel when you brought a new pet home — and what helped you hold space for both the old love and the new?

08/19/2026

There Is No Timeline

One of the most common questions after pet loss is: when should I get another pet? The honest answer is: only when you're truly ready. There is no correct timeline. Getting another pet too soon can shortchange both you and the new animal.

How long did you wait before getting another pet — and did that feel right in retrospect?

08/16/2026

Grieving the Relationship, Not Just the Death

Grief isn't only about physical death — it's about the loss of a relationship, a routine, a source of unconditional love. Whatever form your loss has taken, you deserve the same quality of support.

What aspect of your relationship with your pet do you miss most — beyond their physical presence?

08/14/2026

When You Must Rehome a Pet

Sometimes circumstances beyond our control require us to rehome a beloved pet. The guilt and grief from this decision can be profound. You are not a bad owner. You made a painful choice out of love.

Have you ever had to rehome a pet? What do you wish others understood about that experience?

08/13/2026

The Lost Pet

When a pet goes missing, grief is suspended in a particularly painful kind of limbo — you can't mourn fully, but you can't not mourn either. Dr. Sife (founder of APLB) acknowledges this as a unique and difficult form of loss that deserves compassion and support.

Have you ever had a pet go missing? What was that experience like — and what helped you cope

Address

Kawkawlin, MI

Website

http://www.aplb.org/

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