The Australian Directory of Human Animal Interaction Programs

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SA) Inc. Grief Counselling and Garden of Remembrance

The RSPCA in South Australia is not only always there for “All Creatures Great and Small” but also gives support to pet lovers when they lose a much loved member of their family. Grief counselling frequently takes place over the telephone when a distraught member of the public calls to ask if it is ‘normal’ to feel totally bereft when their pet dies. Their feelings of loss are exacerbated by their well-meaning friends and relatives consoling them by saying ‘it was only a ... pull yourself together!’ or “go and get another one!” Insensitive people do not realise that the grief an animal lover experiences when a pet dies is frequently more intense than that felt when a friend or relative dies.

To ensure that animal lovers have a ‘special place’ to remember their deceased pets, the Garden of Remembrance was created at the RSPCA Lonsdale Shelter. Here the ashes of much loved pets can rest in peace beneath a stone that bears a personalized brass plaque and photograph. Their human companions visit them frequently and enjoy the surrounding gardens, remembering the happy times they had together.

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