New Paws to Listen service launched for grieving cat owners
20 September 2016
A free support service has been launched by Cats Protection to help grieving owners cope with the loss of their cat.
The Paws to Listen service is a confidential phone line enabling owners to speak to trained volunteers who can offer emotional and practical help in coping with pet-related grief.
As well as the phone line, there are a number of free online guides and leaflets to help owners deal with sensitive issues – from understanding euthanasia to helping children deal with the death of their pet. It is hoped that the service will lend support to cat owners on a range of grief-related issues, including owner’s whose cats have gone missing or those that have been forced to rehome their cat.
Additionally, there is a memory wall on the Cats Protection website, where owners can pay tribute to their much-loved pets.
Manager of the service, Nick de Bruxelles, said: “Cats are generally long-lived and cherished pets and the loss of one can bring significant challenges. There are many emotional hurdles, but owners also have many practical questions – such as what to do with the body of their pet, and this can compound their grief. Our service is designed to help owners move forward and find the best way to remember their pet.”
To find out more, visit www.cats.org.uk/grief
To speak to a volunteer on the Paws to Listen phone line, call 0800 024 94 94. The line is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.