Your Pets Belongings

Deciding to remove a deceased pets’ belongings is a very personal act and should be done as and when the time is right for the pet carer to do so, but it is also an act that can compound feelings of guilt or betrayal.

Most pets will have gathered many personal belongings over their life time and it’s important that the pet carer does not make any rash decisions when deciding what to do with these items after the pet has died.

For many, their pets’ personal belongings left in situ can be a constant painful reminder, whilst others take comfort from those items being in full view e.g. water bowl, lead, toys and bed.

Pet carers tend to be very indecisive or sometimes erratic in their behaviour during bereavement therefore any major decisions should be left until they are thinking clearer.

Advice for pet carers –

• Don’t rush the decision
• They may wish to keep items which belonged to their pet e.g. the collar and ID tag
• Gather their pets’ belongings and place them safely in a memory box 
• Donate some of their pets’ belongings to a local animal rescue, animal rescues are also grateful for pet food donations and some may take pet medication