Pet Bereavement Support Groups: California

The APLB is pleased to note that support groups are springing up all across the country. We ask all our friends to help us regularly update and expand this roster. Please send us the name of the group, and who is running it, along with a postal address and telephone number. If there is one, also include an e-mail address. The listing is free. These are our kind of people, and we honor and endorse their commitment and accomplishment.

If you would like to start a support group of your own, the APLB has special material and members to help you with that. We are all in the same lifeboat, together.

By providing this nationwide directory we are adding to our extensive support services. Please note that every group listed here is completely independent, with a very wide range of techniques and regulations — and that inclusion in this directory does not necessarily imply APLB endorsement.

Note: Listings may be added or deleted at the discretion of this Association, which of course, must also disclaim any legal liability that may derive through use of any of these groups.

Meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, at 2700 Ninth Street (entrance on Carleton). There is no fee to attend, but donations are appreciated.

Facilitators: Rev. Roy Gesley (Pastoral Counselor) and Jill Goodfriend, RN, LCSW
Phone: (510) 752-7757
Website: www.berkeleyhumane.org

Meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 12:00 noon until 1:00 at The SPCA’s Education Center. There is no need to register and there is no charge.

Facilitator: Joseph Lumello, VNA
Phone: (831) 758-8243
Website: www.SPCAmc.org/support.htm

Meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. There is no fee.

Facilitators: Judith Goodfriend, RN/LCSW, and Rev. Roy Gesley
Phone: (510) 569-0702
Website: www.eastbayspca.org/events/petlosssupportgroup.cfm

A drop-in group. Meets on the 1^st Saturday of each month, at 10:00 AM. There is no charge.

Group Leader: Cathy Wright, LCSW Phone: (626) 793-7822
Email: Cathy@petgriefsupport.com
Website: www.petgriefsupport.com

Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. There is no charge for attending

Facilitator: Rev. Roy Gesley (an AAPC Pastoral Counselor)
Phone: (925) 932-0607 for more information; or call (510) 752-7757 for Roy Gesley.

There are no meetings; please call our Pet Loss Support Hotline (toll-free), (800) 565-1526, Monday through Friday from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

Facilitator: Bonnie S. Mader, MS
Phone: (800) 565-1526
Email: bmader@ucdavis.edu

One weekend morning and one evening session available each month. Please call or check on-line for dates and times. Sessions are free, but donations are greatly appreciated.

Phone: (619) 299-7012 extension 2311
Website: www.sdhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=prg_PetLoss

Offered without cost by Hospice of San Luis Obispo.

Animals are important companions in our lives, yet the need to grieve their loss often goes unrecognized. These meetings provide an opportunity for participants to deal with a variety of feelings, explore options for coping with their losses, share stories and pictures, and to support each other.

Meets on the first Tuesday of every Month, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.

Phone: 805-544-2266

Phone: (650) 340-7022, extension 344
Email: mtrehan@peninsulahumanesociety.org
Website: peninsulahumanesociety.org

Meetings are held at the Hospice of Santa Barbara, 2050 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite 100, Santa Barbara 93101, on the first Tuesday and third Thursday of each month (excluding major holidays), from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

Meetings are free to the public.

Bring any photographs or memorabilia that you would like to share, such as your pet’s favorite toy, collar, or bandanna.

Facilitators: Trish Lane, Psy.D and Eva Van Prooyen, MA
Phone: (805) 899-CARE or (805) 687-7001
E-mail: info@carehospital.org
Website: www.shivascenter.org, www.carehospital.org

Meets on the first Wednesday of the month, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. There is no fee.

Facilitator: Adam Dorsay
Phone: (408) 727-3383 extension 858
Website: www.hssv.org

Meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, at 7:00 PM. There is no charge. You do not need to call in order to attend.

Co-facilitators: Isa Dempsey, MFT and Betsy Jones, BA
Phone: (831) 465-5000
Website: santacruzspca.org/program_info/griefsupport.htm

Meetings are every Tuesday evening, excluding holidays, from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM at the Renaissance Lodge at Paulin Creek, on Range Avenue. The group is run on a drop-in basis. There is no fee.

Facilitator: Cheri Barton Ross
Phone: (707) 573-9803
Email: cheribross@aol.com