Photos: Dozens Turn Out for PETA’s Companion Animal Grief Support Workshop in Wildwood

For Immediate Release:
February 20, 2026

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

Today, more than 50 people attended a free two-part workshop hosted by PETA and The Villages resident Anna Ware at Wildwood Community Center as part of PETA’s Companion Animal Grief Support Program, a toolkit to help people navigate the anguish of losing an animal companion. The event, called “From Grief to Relief,” helped participants explore ways to honor their animal companions and work through their grief with care, compassion, and hope, and included simple advice for considering animals in estate planning, such as preparing care instructions, designating a guardian, and other necessities. Photos are available here.

Ware planned the workshop and hired Loring Felix, owner of Ocala-based The Fiery Chef, to cater the event, which featured a fully vegan spread—including vegan tuna salad, Greek stuffed mushrooms with vegan feta and parmesan, smoky tempeh pinwheels with vegan mayo, sweet potato and avocado bites, and zesty bean salad—that was a hit with attendees.

“Losing a beloved companion animal is often just as devastating as losing a human family member, yet the resources for dealing with this unique type of grief are sparse,” says PETA Faith Outreach Coordinator Sarah McFarlane. “PETA is pleased to be able to fill this gap and encourages anyone grieving the loss of an animal to seek help through PETA’s Companion Animal Grief Support Program.”

Due to the workshop’s popularity, PETA plans to host additional dates in the future. Resources to help those grieving the loss of an animal companion are also available on PETA’s website.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.