Humane Society of St. Lucie County offers private and communal cremations. Cremation offers a greater freedom in choosing your pet's final resting place. Your pet's cremated remains can be kept at home, buried, or scattered in a special place. Choosing cremation for your pet is a personal expression of love and individuality.
For more information regarding cremation services please call 772-466-7387 (PETS)
The loss of an animal companion, whether due to death, being lost or stolen, or placement in a new home, may be one of the most devastating and painful experiences we ever face. For many, such a loss is as traumatic as losing a family member or a dear friend and can trigger an intense grieving process. Grieving for a loved animal is a natural and normal reaction and will vary from person to person.
Shock, denial and feelings of anger and guilt are frequently felt upon learning our pet is terminally ill, injured or dead; these feelings may last minutes to weeks. Typically there is a sense of numbness, disorientation or unreality. As we struggle to come to terms with the reality of the loss, many of us will experience waves of grief and intense painful awareness, alternating with periods of exhaustion and automatic functioning.
A sense of disorganization often represents the lowest point of the grief process. We frequently feel aimless, hopeless and depressed because of the void left by the loss. Reorganization and resolution of the grief may occur days, weeks or even years later as we work through our feelings and begin to rediscover and reconnect with life. As time passes, we can focus more on fond memories and less on the pain of separation.
We may experience all, some or none of the above reactions and the timing and intensity of these feelings varies among individuals. It is important to acknowledge our feelings, whatever they may be, and give ourselves permission to grieve.
When our animal companion is lost, a significant inner bond is broken.
