Adopting a new pet after yours passes away

Has your cat or dog recently passed away? It’s normal to feel sad and lonely after losing a pet. You might even be wondering how long you should wait before adopting a new one. Here’s some advice on adopting a new pet after losing one.

Make sure you’re ready

After losing a pet, you may be tempted to fill the void with a new one. However, adopting too soon can do more harm than good. Here are a few ways to assess your readiness.

• Ask yourself tough questions. Are you trying to replace the pet you lost? Do you have enough time and love to give to a new pet right now? If you’re unsure, take your time and think it through.
• Visit an animal shelter. The simple act of visiting an animal shelter can help you determine if you’re ready for a new pet. For example, seeing animals in need may help you work through your feelings of loss and despair.
• Try pet sitting. Spend some time with other animals without committing to taking one home. Pet sitting or taking care of a friend’s pet can give you a sense of where you are in the grieving process.

Don’t decide when you’re upset. Instead, take your time and think about what’s best for you and your new pet.

Give yourself time to grieve

Losing a pet can be traumatic. It’s important to give yourself the time you need to mourn. Although everyone deals with death differently, people typically move through five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. If you’re having trouble moving through these stages, consider reaching out to a family member or friend for support.

Allow yourself to move on

After you’ve taken the time to grieve, you might decide you’re ready to share your life with a new cat or dog. It’s natural to feel guilty about this. However, know that your furry friend would want you to be happy. There’s no shame in adopting a new pet. In fact, it can be a healthy way to move on with your life and help an animal in need. Opening your heart and home to a new pet can help you heal while honouring the memory of the pet you’ve lost.

At home pet euthanasia in Scarborough and Toronto

In normal times, if your pet is nearing the end of its life, in-home euthanasia is the best way to give your pet a loving and peaceful passing. Usually, the expert veterinarians at Bellamy-Lawrence Animal Hospital offer compassionate at home euthanasia across the Greater Toronto Area, unfortunately because of the on going pandemic we are not able to provide this service. We’re dedicated to providing humane end-of-life services for your beloved pet. Contact us today to learn more about our services.