New Grief Support Program From PETA Helps Christians Find Comfort After Companion Animal’s Death

For Immediate Release:
May 20, 2025

Contact:
Sandy Lopez 202-483-7382

Many churches offer support groups for people who have lost human loved ones, but where does a person of faith turn when a beloved animal companion dies? Losing a dog, cat, or other companion animal can be especially difficult because there is no cultural blueprint for how to get through it. To fill this void, PETA’s faith outreach division, PETA LAMBS (“Least Among My Brothers and Sisters” from Matthew 25:40), has just launched a faith-based Companion Animal Grief Program to help animal guardians find encouragement and process their loss in a healthy way.

The free six-week program focuses on a different Bible verse each week and includes daily reflections, journal prompts, and suggested weekly actions that the participant can do in memory of their companion animal, including volunteering at an animal sanctuary. The guide is available to download via PETA LAMBS’ website.

“The loss of a companion animal is a devastating experience, yet most churches overlook the crucial need to support grieving guardians,” says PETA Faith Outreach Coordinator Sarah McFarlane. “PETA LAMBS is here to help people of faith with our unique grief program guide for navigating these difficult times.”

PETA LAMBS—whose motto is “Animals are not ours. They’re God’s.”—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 PETALambs.com or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.