october is companion animal remembrance month

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Perfect Paws Pet Ministry has designated October as Companion Animal Remembrance Month, an observance dedicated to recognizing the profound impact of pet loss on individuals, families, and communities and raising awareness of the profound grief it can unleash—and the compassion it deserves.  

 This month invites people to honor the animals who shared their lives—and the lives of those around them—acknowledge the depth of grief humans endure after their death, and affirm that love for a companion animal is a meaningful, enduring bond.” 

  For many people, the death of a pet is not a small or passing sadness; it is the loss of a family member, daily companion, source of comfort, and witness to everyday life. Yet in families, workplaces, faith communities, and public rituals of mourning, this profound grief is often minimized or left unacknowledged. 

 Companion Animal Remembrance Month gives the grief of pet loss a public place of recognition—inviting the same dignity we extend after the death of a human loved one, breaking the silence and honoring the love that remains.” 

 Recent research underscores the need for this recognition: 

• A qualitative systematic review in Death Studies found that more than half of bereaved animal owners reported grief “synonymous with the death of a human.” 
• The Journal of Affective Disorders reports that approximately 7.5% of bereaved pet owners experience clinically significant prolonged grief disorder—rates comparable to losing a sibling or close friend. 
• With 77.5 million U.S. households—58.6% of all households—sharing life with at least one pet (AVMA, 2025), millions of families will eventually face companion‑animal bereavement.

These numbers underscore a profound truth: compassionate support is essential for the many individuals and families who have or will experience the grief of losing a beloved animal.