How to Honor Your Furry Loved One for World Pet Memorial Day

By: Maiya Brock

Overview

World Pet Memorial Day is a worldwide holiday that takes place on the second Tuesday of June each year. It was created by the American Veterinary Medical Association as a day to celebrate and honor beloved pets who have passed away.

The Importance of Pet Friends

Pets are a beloved part of many families. As of 2024, pets are part of almost 70% of American households, and people who don't have animals can still enjoy the company of friends' pets. Even if you and your loved ones don't have pets, the power of furry friends can extend to petting a stranger's dog, or smiling at a cat in a window. 

Animal companions do more than just keep us company—having pets can significantly decrease stress levels in humans, improve cardiovascular health, and promote healthy and developed emotional skills. Interactions with animals have been proven to lower blood pressure, as well as cholesterol and cortisol levels. Pets are also a source of support, comfort, and joy. 

Our animal friends never judge us or tell our secrets; they love us unconditionally. They're more than just animals: they're friends whom we love wholeheartedly. This is why it's so hard when a beloved pet dies. Such a strong bond can never be broken, even after an animal's passing. It's important to remember, celebrate, and honor our pets all year round, but especially on World Pet Memorial Day.

5 Ways to Celebrate World Pet Memorial Day 

Here are a few things you can do to celebrate World Pet Memorial Day for your own pet(s):

1. Create a memorial. You could plant a tree or even a garden in honor of your furry friend, or make a memorial stone in memory of your pet. This is a great way to create something beautiful out of grief, and you can visit it anytime to remember and feel closer to your beloved animal.
2. Keep or create meaningful photos. Draw or paint (or use your preferred medium) a piece of artwork depicting your animal friend, or have it painted professionally for a beautiful rendition of your pet. You can also memorialize your pet by getting a tattoo of them, or putting a picture of them in a locket or other piece of jewelry.
3. Support your local animal shelter or humane society. Volunteering at an animal care facility or shelter can be a wholesome way to care for animals and help people forge connections with new pets. Alternatively, you can donate to humane societies, which will help them take care of their pets and get them adopted. You could also pay for a pet's adoption fee to make it easier for them to find a good home.
4. Make new memories with an animal companion. If you used to go to a specific park with the pet who has passed, you can take your current pet there to honor your animal friend's memory. If this is too difficult, you can also give your pet's old toys to your new furry companion, or just enjoy feeling close to your current pet in memory of the one who has passed away.
5. Look at photos or videos of your pet. Going down memory lane can be an emotional but cathartic process as you remember the fun times you had with your pet pal. You can also share those photos and videos with friends and family and reminisce together about the special bond you shared with your animal.
   

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to honor your pet. Do whatever feels right to you to remember and celebrate your furry friend.

How to Support Someone Who Lost Their Pet

If someone you know is struggling with the loss of a pet, here are some things you can do to support them during World Pet Memorial Day:

1. Be there for your loved one. Just being there to support a loved one during grief goes a long way. Let them know that you're here to help them move through the pain. Grief of any kind can be extremely isolating, so it's important to support your loved one by letting them know that you're with them no matter what.
   
2. Acknowledge their loss. Saying nothing is one of the worst things you can do after someone has lost a pet, even if you're worried talking about it will bring forth tears. Crying is healthy, and it's crucial that your loved one knows that their animal companion hasn't been forgotten. Rather than shy away from talking about it, show them that they are safe to experience their grief. It's okay to empathize with them if you've also lost an animal, but don't make it about your loss rather than theirs.
   
3. Create something together that celebrates their pet. It may be cathartic for your loved one to create a piece of art, set up a garden, or put together a photo album by which to remember their pet. You can even suggest doing an activity together—keep in mind that you shouldn't push if they aren't ready. If your loved one doesn't want to do anything for World Pet Memorial Day, that's okay too. Everyone grieves differently, and should be respected with whatever works for them. Just make sure they know that you're here for them during this difficult time.
4. Send them a care package. A thoughtful care package can be a meaningful way to show support and remind someone they’re not alone in their grief. Consider sending a pet loss care package filled with comforting items like tea, candles, a journal, or a small keepsake to honor their beloved pet. At Good Grief, we offer curated Pet Loss Care Packages designed specifically to nurture and comfort those mourning the loss of a furry friend. It's a simple but powerful gesture that can bring a little light during a difficult time.

World Pet Memorial Day is an important date on which to remember and honor pets who have passed, and to support those who have lost furry friends. Animals are vastly important parts of our lives, and deserve to be honored as such. We have a lot to thank them for, from always being there for us to making us laugh on sad days. Here's to all the beloved pets who have passed away, and to the new animals who will undoubtedly make their way into our hearts.

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