Gone But Not Forgotten
Coping With the Loss of a Devoted Pet
Release provided by The Iams Company

Dayton, Ohio - July 29, 1999 - The sight of muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor, the sound of her gentle purr in your ear, the warmth of their fur as they nestle against you on a cool evening - suddenly gone?

Companion animals occupy a special place in our lives and many are considered an important part of the family. In the case of a human death, people reach out to family and friends for support, but the loss of a pet often leaves owners to grieve behind closed doors.

"An owner can feel emotionally abandoned, particularly if friends and family don't seem to understand the sense of loss," says Dan Carey, DVM, director of technical communications for the Iams Company. "The human-animal bond is very powerful. Pets provide unconditional love and acceptance, and the departure of a pet can really leave a void in a pet owner's life. The emotions of loss are the same, no matter what species the loved one."

As part of The Iams Company's commitment to pet owners, in 1997 the company initiated the Pet Loss Support Resource Center. The center connects grieving pet owners with a specially trained staff of veterinary students from across the United States, who provide a non-judgmental outlet for people to openly express their feelings.

Each month the veterinary students spend hours on the phone with grieving pet owners. "The sense of loss and grieving for a pet can be intense," says Carey. "People often feel totally responsible for the health and happiness of their pets, and may feel helpless and depressed when they're gone."

If you or someone you know is struggling with grief from the loss of a pet, contact the Iams Pet Loss Support Resource Center toll-free at 888-332-7738. Pet owners who call the Resource Center will be referred to students at the veterinary school closest to their geographical area. The Center's hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, Eastern Standard Time.

Other help for pet owners dealing with grief can also be found on the Internet, with sites such as petloss.com and gonetodogstar.com. These on-line resources offer inspirational messages, chat groups and support.