There’s nothing better than walking a dog along the beach, curling up with a good book and a cat, chatting with your parrot, or riding a horse across the plain. When you lose a pet, you lose a close friend and partner. To help you manage your grief, we’ve developed this resource of pet loss support groups and specialized therapists in California who want to help.
If you need support right away, take a look at the phone numbers listed on our toll-free pet grief hotline resource page instead.
California Pet Grief Therapists
Audrey Spector MA, LMFT
1398 Solano Avenue
Albany California
Phone: 510-704-5502
Dr. Jeffrey Crousman Ph.D.
250 North Robertson Boulevard, Ste 407
Beverly Hills California 90211
Phone: 310-285-6650
Judy Garvey, M.S., MFTI
1818 Gilbreth Road, Suite 218
Burlingame California 94010
Phone: 650-580-7423
Lorri Green, Ph.D
2058 Oxford Avenue
Cardiff California 92007
Phone: 760-436-6798
Teresa Wagner
1 Palo Colorado Road
Carmel California 93923
Phone: 831-236-4080
Rev. Nancy Schluntz
Castro Valley / Hayward Area California
Phone: 510-969-6122
Email: Nancy@Schluntz.com
Website: http://nancyschluntz.com/
Stuart A. Kaplowitz, MFT
12540 10th Street
Chino California 91710
Phone: 909-576-3889
Elizabeth Bloom, DHM
65 Golden Hind Passage
Corte Madera California 94925
Phone: 415-924-3004
Sydney Barbara Metick, MA, Ph.D.
4449 Wesley Way
El Sobrante California 94803-3031
Phone: 510-223-3882
Sandra R. Grossman, Ph.D.
Hermosa Beach / South Bay / Los Angeles / San Gabriel Area California
Phone: 818-421-1516
Andrea Keith, MA, MFTI, CEAP
CGI Counseling Center, University Tower
4199 Campus Drive, Suite #E
Irvine California 92612
Phone: 949-650-2442
Anne Ross
18023 Sky Park Circle, Suite G
Irvine California
Phone: 949-939-4255
Email: anneross@journeyccs.com
Murray S. Kaufman, MA LMFT, NBCCH
University Park
Irvine California 92612
Phone: 714-418-7454
Theresa Crawford, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
1030 Pearl Street #5
La Jolla California 92037
Phone: 858-459-0345
Lisa Frankel, Ph.D
11850 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 201
Los Angeles California 90025
Phone: 310-398-9385
Email: DrFrankel@yahoo.com
Debra Brause, Psy.D.
1314 Westwood Boulevard Suite 201
Los Angeles California 90024
Phone: 310-470-4156
Dr. Diane Kelley
1494 S. Robertson, Ste. 202
Los Angeles California 90035
Phone: 310-559-3164
Donna S. Melinkoff, MA, MFCC
Los Angeles California 90029
Phone: 213-694-0321 (area code may be 310)
Lani Chin, Psy.D.
11704 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 255
Los Angeles California 90025
Phone: 310-344-5550
Marian Silverman
Los Angeles California
Phone: 310-205-2546
Julie Austin, Psy.D.
45 Camino Alto, #200
Mill Valley California 94941
Phone: 415-721-4310
Terri Austin, Ph.D.
Monterey California 93942
Phone: 408-649-6283
408-625-5573
Sharon Callahan
Mt. Shasta California 96067
Phone: 530-926-6424
Ellie Freedman
1151 Dove Street, Suite 201
Newport Beach California
Phone: 949-315-5616
Email: Ellie-OC@PetLossPartners.com
Website: http://www.petlosspartners.com/
Rebecca Lewis, Ph.D.
1000 Quail Street #245
Newport Beach California 92660
Phone: 714-721-5750
Julie Tenenberg
4289 Piedmont Avenue, Suite 205
Oakland California 94611
Phone: 510-654-7017
Email: JJuliet@pacbell.net
Bonnie Goodman
220 California Avenue, Suite 120
Palo Alto California 94306
Phone: 650-858-0755
Email: BonnieMGoodman@aol.com
Website: http://www.goodmancounseling.com/
Cathy Wright, LCSW
595 E. Colorado Boulevard, #423
Pasadena California 91101
Phone: 626-793-7822
Melissa Lopez
107 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Suite 312
Pasadena California 91105
Phone: 323-841-9950
Email: MLopezLCSW@gmail.com
Website: http://www.counseling4allseasons.com/
Corina Seashore, LCSW
2701 Cottage Way, Suite 27
Sacramento California 95825
Phone: 916-764-5778
Sue Duroncelet, LCSW
1731 I Street
Sacramento California 95814
Phone: 916-690-4856
Carol Kimbrough, MA, MFT, RVT
17513 Country Park Way
Salinas California 93908
Phone: 831-455-2650
Meg Kaufman, MFCC
9815 Carroll Canyon Road
San Diego California 92131
Phone: 858-566-3333
Melonie Gale MA, LMFT, LMHC, NCC
3636 Fourth Avenue, Suite 210
San Diego California 92103
Phone: 858-429-8999
Dr. Kathleen Ayl
San Fernando Valley California
Phone: 818-735-0667
Ryan Horvath
126 Church Street
San Francisco California 90503
Phone: 415-663-6286
Email: RyanHorvathMFT@gmail.com
Website: http://ryanhorvathmft.com/
Betty J. Carmack, RN, EdD
449 Melrose Avenue
San Francisco California 94127-2217
Phone: 415-334-5036
Website: www.bettyjcarmack.com
Beverly Kram, LMFCC
52 Harold Avenue, Ste. K
San Jose California
Phone: 408-557-8336
Gina M. Taffi, Ph.D.
243 North Highway 101, Suite 16
Solana Beach California 92075-1167
Phone: 858-404-0234
Ann L. Palik
3820 Del Amo Boulevard, Suite 208
Torrance California 90503
Phone: 310-538-3512
Email: Ann@Therapy-Conscious.com
Claire Chew
1129 Marco Place
Venice California 90291
Phone: 310-314-9837
Email: Claire@clairechew.com
Website: http://www.makepeacewithyourgrief.com/
Jill Goodfriend RN LCSW
California
Phone: 510-393-1359
Robin Sierra
California
Fee(s): $85
Phone: 505-919-9904
Email: Robin@RobinSierra.com
Notes: $150 for home visits in Marin, California
Aileen Snodgrass
California
Phone: 650-931-8535
Email: asnodgrass@sagecenters.com
Jack Bullock
California
Phone: 209-338-3000
Email: jbullock@optimalcares.com
Know more pet grief therapists in California we should be listing? Please share the love by letting us know on our Facebook page.
California Pet Loss Support Groups
Peninsula Humane Society Pet Loss Support Group
1450 Rollins Road
Burlingame California 94010
Meeting day(s): second Thursday of each month
Meeting time(s): 7:00 pm
Contact person: Lisa Van Buskirk
Contact phone: 650-340-7022, extension 344
Contact email: pawmaster@PHS-SPCA.org
Website: https://peninsulahumanesociety.org/
Notes: Drop-in basis; no need to register.
Campbell Pet Loss Support Group
907 Dell Avenue
Campbell California 95008
Meeting day(s): second Wednesday of the month
Meeting time(s): 7:00-8:30 pm
Contact person: Aileen Snodgrass
Contact phone: 650-931-8535
Contact email: asnodgrass@sagecenters.com
Website: http://www.sagecenters.com/
Notes: There is no charge. We work on a drop-in basis, and there is no need to register.
Pet Loss Support Group
Castro Valley / Hayward California
Fee(s): Free, donations accepted
Meeting day(s): second Wednesday of each month
Meeting time(s): 6:30-7:30 pm
Contact person: Rev. Nancy Schluntz
Contact phone: 510-969-6122
Contact email:
Nancy@Schluntz.com
Notes: Call or email for location, and to reserve a space. Sessions are free, but donations are appreciated.
Animal Bereavement Support Group
Agape International Spiritual Center
5700 Buckingham Pkwy.
Culver City California 90230
Meeting day(s): every second Sunday of every month
Meeting time(s): 2:30-4:30 pm
Contact person: One From The Heart Office
Contact phone: 310-348-1260 extension 1281
Website: https://agapelive.com/event/animal-bereavement-support-group-2-2/all/#.WoPj15NubEq
Pet Loss Support Group
Hope Hospice, 6377 Clark Avenue
Dublin California 94568
Meeting day(s): second and fourth Monday of each month
Meeting time(s): 7:00-8:30 pm
Contact person: Michele Shimamura, LMFT, CT
Contact phone: 925-683-8463
Contact email: micheles@hopehospice.com
Website: www.hopehospice.com/grief-support-center/programs-and-classes/
Notes: The group is run on a drop-in basis. Please call first for short intake interview. There is no fee.
Pet Loss Partners - Pet Loss Support Group
Camp Run A Mutt South Bay
945 W. 190th Street
Gardena California 90248
Fee(s): $20
Meeting day(s): first and third Saturday mornings
Contact person: Sandra Grossman, Ph.D
Contact phone: 818-421-1516
Contact email: SandiLA@PetLossPartners.com
Website: http://www.petlosspartners.com/
Notes: Sliding scale is available. Please call for times and information.
PetLoss Partners – Pet Loss Support Group
222 East Harvard Street
Glendale California 91205
Fee(s): $20
Meeting day(s): second and fourth Tuesday of each month
Contact person: Sandra Grossman, Ph.D
Contact phone: 818-421-1516
Contact email: SandiLA@PetLossPartners.com
Website: http://www.petlosspartners.com/
Notes: Sliding scale available. Call for times and information.
PetLoss Partners — Pet Loss Support Group
1560 Pacific Coast Highway
Hermosa Beach / South Bay California 90254
Fee(s): $20
Meeting day(s): first and third Mondays of each month
Contact person: Sandra Grossman, Ph.D
Contact phone: 818-421-1516
Contact email: SandiLA@PetLossPartners.com
Website: http://www.petlosspartners.com/
Notes: Sliding scale available. Call for times and information.
Orange County Pet Loss Support Group
4199 Campus Drive, Suite 275
Irvine California 92612
Fee(s): $25
Contact person: Andrea Keith, LMFT, CEAP
Contact phone: 949-650-2442
Website: http://www.pet-loss-therapy.com/
Notes: Meets a couple of times a month for 50 to 60 minutes, in a group setting of about 5 to 8 people. There is a sliding scale for those who need it. No one is turned away due to lack of funds. Call for the month’s schedule or questions.
Pet Grief Recovery Group
Loma Linda University Medical Center
11234 Anderson Street
Loma Linda California 92354
Meeting day(s): Tuesday of January, April, July, and October
Meeting time(s): 7:00-8:30 pm
Contact phone: 909-558-7355
Notes: It is a 7- week long class, and we meet once a week for 1 hour and half, and we teach about how pet loss grief affects those suffering, coping skills, and ways of finding closure. New groups begin the first Tuesday of January, April, July, and October
West Los Angeles Pet Loss Support Group
VCA West Los Angeles Specialty Hospital
1900 Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles California 90025
Fee(s): $20
Meeting day(s): second and fourth Monday of each month
Contact person: Sandra Grossman, Ph.D
Contact phone: 818-421-1516
Contact email: SandiLA@PetLossPartners.com
Website: http://www.petlosspartners.com/
Notes: Sliding scale available. Call for times and information.
Away From Me Now Pet Loss Support Group
1101 Sylvan Avenue
Modesto California 95350
Fee(s): Free
Meeting day(s): second Wednesday each month
Meeting time(s): 7:00 pm
Contact person: Jack Bullock
Contact phone: 209-338-3000
Contact email: jbullock@optimalcares.com
Notes: Dates and times are subject to change; please call before coming.
Pet Loss Partners - Pet Loss Support Group
1151 Dove Street, Suite 201
Newport Beach California 92660
Fee(s): $25
Meeting day(s): second and fourth Tuesdays of each month
Meeting time(s): 6:00-7:30 pm
Contact person: Ellie Freedman, MFT
Contact phone: 949-315-5616
Contact email: ellie-oc@petlosspartners.com
Website: http://www.petlosspartners.com/
Notes: Sliding scale available. Call for information and location.
Contra Costa Veterinary Medical Association
Pet Loss Support Group
Hillcrest Congregational Church
404 Gregory Lane
Pleasant Hill California 94523
Fee(s): Free
Meeting day(s): first Tuesday of each month
Meeting time(s): 7:00-8:30 pm
Contact person: Rev. Roy Gesley
Contact phone: 510-752-7757
Redwood City Pet Loss Support Group
934 Charter Street
Redwood California 94063
Fee(s): Free
Meeting day(s): third Wednesday of the month
Meeting time(s): 7:00-8:30 pm
Contact person: Aileen Snodgrass
Contact phone: 650-931-8535
Contact email: asnodgrass@sagecenters.com
Website: http://www.sagecenters.com/
Notes: Work on a drop-in basis, and there is no need to register.
Redwood Empire Veterinary Medical Association
Rohnert Park
Redwood California 94927
Meeting day(s): first and third Tuesday of the month
Contact person: Tiffany Rovai
Contact phone: 707-544-9193
Contact email: tiffany.rovai@vcahospitals.com
Website: http://www.redwoodempirevma.net/contact.html
Notes: Call for details
The SPCA for Monterey County
1002 Monterey-Salinas Highway
Salinas California 93908
Meeting day(s): every second and fourth Tuesday of every month
Meeting time(s): 12:00-1:00 pm
Website: https://www.spcamc.org/
The Hug Club Pet Loss Recovery Group
At San Diego Pet Memorial Park
8995 Crestmar Point
San Diego California 92121
Fee(s): Free
Meeting day(s): every Saturday
Meeting time(s): 1:30 pm
Contact person: Catherine Behan, MS
Contact phone: 858-909-0009
Contact email: catherine@sdpetpark.com
Website: meetup.com/The-Hug-Club-San-Diego-Grief-Support-Group-for-Pet-Owners
Notes: The group is run on a drop-in basis.
San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
5500 Gaines Street
San Diego California 92110
Fee(s): Free, donations accepted
Meeting day(s): One weekend morning and one evening session available each month
Contact phone: 619-299-7012
Website: http://sdhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=prg_PetLoss
Notes: Call or check on-line for dates and times.
Pet Loss Support Group
4295 Gesner Street Suite 3B
San Diego California 92117
Contact person: Lorri Greene, Ph.D.
Contact phone: 619-275-0728
Notes: Call for meeting schedule.
Pet Loss Support Group
San Francisco California
Fee(s): Free
Meeting day(s): first Tuesday of each month
Meeting time(s): 7:30-9:00 pm
Contact person: Betty Carmack, R.N. Ed.D.
Contact phone: 415-554-3050
Website: www.bettyjcarmack.com
Notes: Drop in basis - no need to register, no charge.
For details and location call the San Francisco SPCA.
Pet Loss Support Group
1304 Pacific Street
San Luis Obispo California 93401
Fee(s): Free
Website: http://www.hospiceslo.org/
Notes: The group meets beginning January 27, through March 31, 2014, every Monday for six weeks from 6:00-7:30 pm. A break will be taken after March 31st and a new group will start. See the website for more details.
Hospice of Santa Barbara
2050 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite 100
Santa Barbara California 93101
Contact person: Virginia Moreno, MFT
Contact phone: 805-563-8820 extension 114
Website: http://santacruzspca.org/petloss.html
Notes: Meetings will be held on 4 Wednesdays, beginning on April 2, 2014 and ending on April 23, 2014. Meetings are free to the public. Call for information. Registration is required. Bring any photographs or memorabilia that you would like to share such as toy, collar, bandanna, etc.
ASPCA Companion Animal Loss Grief Support Group
2685 Chanticleer Avenue
Santa Cruz California 95065
Fee(s): Free
Contact person: Mary Quillen
Contact phone: 831-465-5000
Notes: Call for more information on dates and times. No need to call in order to attend.
REVMA Pet Loss Support Group
2375 Range Ave. Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa California 95403
Fee(s): Free
Meeting day(s): Tuesday evening, excluding holidays
Meeting time(s): 7:00-8:15 pm
Contact person: Cheri Barton Ross
Contact phone: 707-573-9803
Contact email: cheribross@aol.com
Notes: The group is run on a drop-in basis.
Guardian Animal Aftercare
Healing Touch Veterinary Wellness Center
14474 Dickens Street
Sherman Oaks California 91423
Fee(s): $25
Meeting day(s): every other Sunday
Contact person: Dr. Kathleen Ayl
Contact phone: 818-458-8102
Website: http://www.griefassociates.com/
Notes: Call to register.
SPCA of Solano County Pet Loss Support Group
2200 Peabody Rd
Vacaville California 95687
Fee(s): Free, donations accepted
Meeting day(s): First Tuesday of every month
Meeting time(s): 7:00-8:30 pm
Website: http://dogdockp.wix.com/sheltermedicine#!pet-loss/ckra
Notes: Bring a photo of your beloved pet to share. The group will be facilitated by a mental health professional, Bonnie Mader, a pioneer in the field of pet loss and human emotion and the co-founder of the Pet Loss Support Hotline. The first 45 minutes Dr. Kelly Palm, the other co-founder of the Pet Loss Support Hotline will be there to answer medical questions.
Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group
2199 Sperry Avenue
Ventura California 93003
Fee(s): $25
Meeting day(s): every Wednesday
Meeting time(s): 7:00 pm
Contact person: Dr. Kathleen Ayl
Contact phone:
818-458-8102
Website: http://www.griefassociates.com/
Notes: Call to register.
Center for Spiritual Living
Westlake California 91361
Fee(s): $25
Meeting day(s): every Wednesday
Meeting time(s): 7:00 pm
Contact person: Dr. Kathleen Ayl
Contact phone:
818-458-8102
Website: http://www.griefassociates.com/
Notes: Call to register.
Graceful Departure Pet Center
Pet Loss Support Group
1177 Greenfield Drive, Suite B
El Cajon California 92021
Meeting day(s): weekly on Thursdays as needed
Contact phone: 619-334-0708
Website: www.gracefuldeparture.com
Notes: For more information, or to register, please call.
Are you aware of more pet loss support groups in California that we should add to our list? Help others find them by sending their info through our Facebook page.
California Pet Loss Support Hotlines
University of California, School of Veterinary Medicine
California Davis
Fee: Free
Local hotline: 916-752-7418
Toll-free hotline: 800-565-1526
Notes: Monday - Friday, 6:30-9:30 pm. Callers place calls at their own expense. There are no additional charges.
Animal Bereavement Support Group
California Culver City
Local hotline: 310-348-1260 extension 426
Delta Society
California Palm Springs
Local hotline: 619-320-3298
Contra Costa Veterinary Medical Association
Pet Loss Support Group
California Pleasant Hill
Fee: Free
Local hotline: 925-932-0607
San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
California San Diego
Fee: Free, donations accepted
Website: http://sdhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=prg_PetLoss
Local hotline: 619-299-7012 extension 2311
Nikki Hospice for Pets Foundation
California Vallejo
Local hotline: 707-557-8595
Notes: Calls will be returned as quickly as possible, usually within 72 hours.
If you’re in the know about additional pet loss support hotlines in California, we want to know. Please send the info through our Facebook page so that others can find them too.
Image: Tyssul Patel
Disclaimer: Support groups, hotlines, and therapists listed on Tiny Pet Memories are independent and not necessarily endorsed by Tiny Pet Memories. Listings are added and deleted at the discretion of Tiny Pet Memories and while we try to list quality resources, we must disclaim any liability from your use of this information.