The short answer: The best pet memorial gifts are personal keepsakes the owner can keep close: a framed photo, a paw print, a donation in the pet's name, a handwritten memory or something in their likeness. Flo's Candle House hand-pours dog and cat candles in 13 breeds and the pet's coat colour, from £9.50, with free UK delivery.
Updated 23 October 2026 by Flo, founder of Flo's Candle House, Caldicot, Wales.
Key facts
- Flo's Candle House makes memorial candles in 13 dog breeds and a cat, from £9.50 (mini French bulldog) to £14.50 (labrador and schnauzer). The cat candle is £11.50.
- You can send us a photo before ordering and we'll suggest the closest coat colour. Individual markings can't be recreated.
- Every candle is hand-poured to order and dispatched in 3–5 working days, with free tracked Royal Mail UK delivery and a free gift message.
- The last order date for memorial gifts to arrive before Christmas 2026 is Thursday 10 December.
- A 2026 study of a nationally representative UK sample found 7.5% of people bereaved of a pet (about 1 in 13) met criteria for prolonged grief disorder.
- In a 2024 Blue Cross survey of 2,000 pet owners, only 23% knew its free pet loss support service existed.
- In England you don't need permission to bury a pet dog or cat on your own land, according to GOV.UK guidance.
- All parts of the lily are toxic to cats, so leave lilies out of sympathy flowers for any home that still has a cat.
This guide is for you if you've lost a dog or cat, or if you want to help someone who has. Each section starts with a direct answer, so you can go straight to what you need.
In this guide
- Is it normal to grieve this much for a pet?
- How do I stop feeling guilty about putting my pet to sleep?
- What is a good memorial gift for someone who has lost a dog?
- What is a good memorial gift for someone who has lost a cat?
- What should I send someone who has lost a pet?
- What is a pet memorial candle, and how do I get one that looks like my pet?
- How do I order a pet memorial candle as a gift?
- What do you say to someone whose pet has died?
- How do you get through anniversaries and the first Christmas?
- When should you light a memorial candle for a pet?
- What are some ways to remember a pet at home?
- Can I bury my dog or cat in my garden in the UK?
- How do I tell my child our pet has died?
- Is there free pet bereavement support in the UK?
- Ordering and delivery
Is it normal to grieve this much for a pet?
Yes. Grieving deeply for a dog or cat is normal, and Cruse Bereavement Support says plainly that "it's normal to grieve for pets and animals". A pet shares almost every hour of your day, so when they die, the walks, the feeding and the evening company all stop at once.
Research now backs up what owners have always felt. A study of 975 UK adults found that 7.5% of people bereaved of a pet met criteria for prolonged grief disorder, according to Hyland, Maynooth University, in PLoS ONE (2026). That rate is similar to many kinds of human loss.
The study suggested that losing a pet "can trigger grief as intense and prolonged as that from losing a human loved one", according to Harvard Health Publishing (2026). So if someone has told you "it was only a dog", they were wrong. Give yourself the patience you'd give a friend.
How long does grief for a pet last?
There is no set length of time, and it varies hugely from person to person. For most people the sharpest pain softens over weeks or months, though it can return on anniversaries or with a sudden reminder, such as an empty lead on its hook.
"There is no set length of time for grief", according to Cats Protection (2017). Slow healing is expected, according to PDSA (accessed 2026): "It's perfectly normal for it to take days, weeks or even years for the grief to fade." Only a small minority find grief becomes overwhelming or stuck. If that's you, talk to your GP.
Why does losing a pet hurt more than losing some people?
Because a pet is woven into your daily life in a way few people are. They're there when you wake, when you come home and at the end of every day. In the 2026 UK study above, 21% of people who had lost both a pet and a person said the pet's death was the most distressing.
That doesn't make you cold. It reflects how close the bond was. Cruse also notes that a pet can be a last link to a person who has died. When a pet who belonged to a late partner dies, Cruse calls the grief "echo grief", because it can bring the earlier loss back too.
How do I cope with losing my dog or cat?
Let yourself grieve, keep some gentle routine and talk to someone who understands. It often helps to do something with the loss: make a memory box, write to your pet or light a candle by their photo. Free support lines exist, and your GP can help if the grief feels stuck.
- Expect the gaps in your day. Mealtimes and walk times are often the hardest. Fill them with something gentle, such as a walk on your own or a call to a friend.
- Say their name. Talk about them with people who knew them.
- Keep or clear their things in your own time. There's no rush to move the bowl or the bed.
- Use the free support. Blue Cross and Cats Protection both run free services, covered below.
How do I cope with the sudden death of my dog or cat?
Be gentle with yourself, because a sudden death adds shock to grief and leaves no time to say goodbye. Guilt, self-blame and anger are all common, and there's no "right" way to feel, according to Cats Protection (accessed 2026). Talking it through with a support line can help.
Some people find a small goodbye ritual helps afterwards, as a way to mark what they didn't get to say. Writing a letter to your pet, or lighting a candle beside their photo, are both simple places to start.
How do I cope when my cat goes missing and never comes back?
Not knowing what happened can make grief harder, because there's no clear ending. Cats Protection's free Paws to Listen service supports owners whose cat has gone missing, as well as after euthanasia. When you're ready, a small ritual, such as a photo and a candle on their favourite windowsill, can help mark the loss.
What is anticipatory grief for a pet?
Anticipatory grief is grieving before your pet has died, often from the moment a vet gives a prognosis. Cats Protection describes it in its grief FAQ, and it's a normal response to knowing a loss is coming. Some owners use this time for photos, a favourite walk or asking the vet about a paw print.
How do I stop feeling guilty about putting my pet to sleep?
Start by separating sadness, which is right and natural, from guilt, which usually isn't deserved. Vets say that a decision made for your pet's welfare is not something to feel guilty about, and choosing a peaceful end is one of the kindest things an owner can do.
A former president of the British Veterinary Association said he spends "a great deal of time trying to get people to separate sadness from guilt", according to the BVA (2015). PDSA adds that guilt, numbness and even relief are all normal afterwards. Feeling relief that their suffering has ended doesn't mean you loved them less.
How do I know when it's time to put my pet to sleep?
Your vet is the best person to help you decide, based on your pet's health and quality of life. PDSA says the vet "wants you to be absolutely sure that you're making the right choice for your pet", so ask every question you have, as often as you need to.
Should I stay with my pet when they're put to sleep?
Stay if you want to, and step out if you can't: both are acceptable. PDSA says every situation is different, owners can leave the room and come back afterwards, and "it is important not to feel guilty if you are unable to be there". Choose what you can manage.
What is a good memorial gift for someone who has lost a dog?
A good dog memorial gift is personal to that dog and gentle for the owner, something they can keep and look at every day. A framed photo, a paw print, their collar displayed or a keepsake in their likeness all work, and a handwritten memory of the dog costs nothing.
Here's how the main options compare. Our dog breed gift guide covers each breed in depth.
| Gift | Cost | Works best when |
|---|---|---|
| A keepsake in their likeness, such as a dog breed candle | £9.50–£14.50 for our candles | You know the breed and coat colour, or can ask for a photo |
| A framed photo | Low | You have a lovely picture, perhaps from a walk together |
| A framed paw or nose print | Low to moderate | The vet took a print, or the owner kept one |
| Their collar or tag in a shadow box | Low to moderate | You're close enough to ask for the collar |
| A donation to a rescue in their name | Any amount | The dog was a rescue, or the owner supports a charity |
| A handwritten memory | Free | You knew the dog and remember something specific |
If you're looking for a labrador, cockapoo, sausage dog or French bulldog memorial gift, our candles come in those breeds and nine more. The breed table below shows prices and colours. PDSA says you can also ask the vet for the collar, harness or a clipping of fur.
What is a good memorial gift for someone who has lost a cat?
The best cat memorial gifts are personal keepsakes too: a framed photo, a paw print, a donation to a cat rescue, a handwritten memory or something in their colouring. Cat owners sometimes feel their grief is taken less seriously, so a gift that clearly remembers their cat can mean a great deal.
- A keepsake in their colouring. Our cat candle is a sculpted cat, 8cm tall, in six colours, for £11.50. Send us a photo and we'll help you pick the closest shade.
- Something for their favourite spot. A small framed photo on the windowsill or chair they always claimed.
- A donation in their name. A gift of any size to a cat charity or the rescue they came from.
- A place on the Cat Memory Wall. Cats Protection has a Cat Memory Wall where owners can celebrate a cat's life.
Should I send flowers when someone's pet dies?
Flowers can be kind, but check the bouquet if the home still has other pets, and never send lilies to a home with a cat. Sympathy arrangements often include lilies, and even licked pollen, a nibbled leaf or vase water can cause fatal kidney failure in cats.
"All parts of the lily are toxic to cats," according to International Cat Care (accessed 2026). Plants poisonous to dogs include daffodils, tulips, bluebells, foxgloves, lily of the valley, yew, azaleas and rhododendrons, according to Battersea (accessed 2026). Battersea says its list isn't complete, so ask a vet if you're unsure.
If you'd like to send a flower without pollen or vase water, our flower candle is a sculpted soy flower for £9. Like any candle, it should be kept out of pets' reach.
What should I send someone who has lost a pet?
Send something that shows you know the pet's name and what they meant. That might be a card with a real memory, a keepsake in their likeness, or a practical kindness such as a meal. Match it to how close you are. A colleague may only need a card, while a close friend may treasure a keepsake.
| Who you're supporting | What tends to help | A candle that fits |
|---|---|---|
| A close friend or family member | A keepsake in the pet's likeness, with a handwritten memory | Their pet's breed or cat candle, £9.50–£14.50, sent to their door |
| A colleague or neighbour | A card that uses the pet's name; a small gift if you knew the pet | A breed candle if you know the breed, or the flower candle (£9) |
| A home that still has a cat | No lilies; something unscented | Any breed or the cat candle in Unscented |
| A child who has lost a pet | A drawing, a memory box, a photo of them together | A candle only as an unlit keepsake, kept out of reach |
| Someone who lives far away in the UK | A message on the day, then a gift by post | Any candle, sent direct with a free gift message |
| Yourself | Whatever helps you remember them openly | A likeness to keep by their photo, lit or unlit |
What is a good pet memorial gift under £15?
Every Flo's Candle House dog and cat candle costs under £15, with free tracked UK delivery. Prices run from £9.50 for the mini French bulldog to £14.50 for the labrador and schnauzer. Free gifts can mean just as much: a handwritten memory, a printed photo you took, or a donation of any size in the pet's name.
| Budget | Candles |
|---|---|
| Under £10 | French bulldog (£9.50), flower (£9) |
| £10–£12 | Cocker spaniel, cockapoo, doodle and teddy dog, English bulldog, westie, basset hound and dachshund (£10.50 each); Shih Tzu and cat (£11.50 each) |
| £13–£15 | Shiba Inu (£13.50); labrador, schnauzer and chow chow (£14.50) |
There's more in our gifts under £10 collection.
How soon should I send a pet sympathy gift?
A card or message is kindest within the first few days. A keepsake can follow at any time, and one that arrives a week or two later, after the first cards have stopped, can be especially welcome. Our candles are made to order, so allow 3–5 working days before dispatch, plus delivery.
What is a pet memorial candle, and how do I get one that looks like my pet?
A pet memorial candle is a candle kept or lit in memory of an animal. Flo's Candle House sculpts ours as a dog breed or a cat in your pet's coat colour. To get one that looks like your pet, pick the closest breed, choose the colour (send a photo if unsure), then pick a scent or Unscented.
Which dog breeds can I get as a memorial candle?
Flo's Candle House makes 13 dog breeds and a cat, including labrador, cocker spaniel, cockapoo, sausage dog (dachshund), French bulldog, westie and a doodle that suits cavapoos. Prices run from £9.50 to £14.50. The table shows each candle's price, size and coat colours, and more breeds are on the way.
| Candle | Price | Size | Coat colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labrador | £14.50 | 9.2cm tall, sitting puppy | Ivory, Biscuit / Sand, Chocolate, Charcoal, Sage, Blush |
| Schnauzer | £14.50 | 10cm | Ivory, Biscuit, Chocolate, Charcoal, Grey |
| Shiba Inu | £13.50 | 9.8cm | Red, Sesame, Tan, Cream, White, Black |
| Cat | £11.50 | 8cm | Six colours |
| Chow chow | £14.50 | 6.8cm tall, 10cm long, lying down | Biscuit, Chocolate, Charcoal |
| Shih Tzu | £11.50 | 5.5cm tall, 6.5cm long, a mini | Ivory / Cream, Biscuit / Sand, Chocolate, Charcoal, Warm Grey |
| Cocker spaniel | £10.50 | 6.5cm | Ivory / Cream, Biscuit / Sand, Chocolate, Charcoal, Sage, Blush |
| Cockapoo | £10.50 | 6.5cm | Ivory / Cream, Biscuit / Sand, Chocolate, Charcoal, Sage, Blush |
| Doodle and teddy dog (cavapoo, labradoodle, goldendoodle, maltipoo) | £10.50 | 6.2cm | Ivory / Cream, Biscuit / Sand, Chocolate, Charcoal, Sage, Blush |
| English bulldog | £10.50 | 7.4cm | Ivory / Cream, Biscuit / Sand, Chocolate, Charcoal, Sage, Blush, Grey |
| Westie | £10.50 | 7cm | Ivory / White, Cream |
| Basset hound (also suits bloodhounds) | £10.50 | 7cm | Tan, Liver, Sandy, Black, Red |
| Dachshund (sausage dog) | £10.50 | 5.8cm tall, 8.7cm long | Chocolate, Tan, Cream, Red, Black, Blue / Grey |
| French bulldog | £9.50 | 5.2cm, a mini | Ivory / Cream, Biscuit / Sand, Chocolate, Charcoal, Sage, Blush |
For ideas beyond candles for one breed, see the breed-by-breed section of our dog breed gift guide, which covers labradors, cocker spaniels, cockapoos, cavapoos and doodles, sausage dogs, French bulldogs, westies, schnauzers, English bulldogs, basset hounds and Shiba Inus.
What if my dog was a crossbreed or a breed you don't make?
Choose the closest shape and coat colour, or ask us first. The doodle and teddy dog suits cavapoos, labradoodles, goldendoodles and maltipoos, and the basset hound also suits bloodhounds. Message us with a photo and we'll tell you honestly which candle is closest, including if none of them is.
Can you match my dog's coat colour?
Yes, as closely as we can. Each breed comes in a choice of coat colours, which you pick on the product page, and we'll suggest the nearest shade from a photo. We can't recreate individual markings, such as a patch over one eye, so you get a likeness of the breed in their colouring rather than a portrait.
To use the photo match, send us a photo before you order and say which candle you're looking at. The coat colour section of our dog breed gift guide explains which shade suits which coat.
Should a memorial candle be scented or unscented?
Unscented is usually the best choice for a memorial candle, because it keeps the candle as a keepsake and avoids a strong fragrance at a raw time. If you'd like a scent, choose a soft one such as Vanilla or Lavender, which feel gentle and familiar rather than seasonal or bold.
| Scent | Good for |
|---|---|
| Unscented | A keepsake kept unlit; a home with a cat, or a pet with breathing problems |
| Vanilla or Lavender | A soft scent for quiet evenings of remembering |
| Fresh Linen, Sandalwood or Rose | Someone who loves a particular scent and plans to light it |
| Snow Angel or Apple & Cinnamon | Our most festive scents, for a first Christmas, if the owner would like that |
If the home has a cat, Unscented is the simplest choice. Cats "lack an essential enzyme in their liver", which makes concentrated essential oils especially risky for them, according to Pet Poison Helpline (2026). All our candles are 100% natural soy wax with a cotton wick, vegan, with CLP safety labelling. Our soy candle guide explains more.
Should you burn a memorial candle or keep it?
Either is fine, and many people do a bit of both, keeping the candle on display most of the year and lighting it on a day that matters. Every candle has a cotton wick and can be lit, but a sculpted candle loses its shape as it burns.
That's why many people keep a memorial one unlit, or light it briefly once a year. People often tell us our candles are "too cute to use", and for a memorial piece that's rather the point. You could also keep the sculpted one as a keepsake and light a plain candle beside it. Our sculptural candles guide explains how shaped candles burn.
How do I order a pet memorial candle as a gift?
Choose the breed or cat candle in the pet memorial gifts collection, then pick the coat colour and scent. Add a few words in the free gift message box in your cart. Enter the grieving owner's address at checkout and we'll send it straight to them by free tracked Royal Mail.
- Pick the candle. Use the breed table. For a crossbreed, choose the closest shape.
- Check the colour. If you're unsure, send us a photo first and we'll suggest the nearest shade.
- Choose the scent. Unscented if it's a keepsake or there's a cat at home; otherwise any of our eight scents.
- Write your message. Use the pet's name. Our short sympathy messages below have wording ideas.
- Send it to them. Put their address as the delivery address. For a particular date, message us before you order.
What do you say to someone whose pet has died?
Keep it short, sincere and specific: say you're sorry, use the pet's name and, if you knew them, share one real memory. Something like "I'm so sorry about Bramble, I know how much she meant to you" is enough, because it shows you know the loss is real.
Things that help
- Use the pet's name. It's warmer than "your dog".
- Share a memory. How they greeted you, or a funny habit.
- Reassure them about a hard decision. "You gave her a wonderful life and a peaceful end" can lift a weight.
- Offer something specific. "Can I bring dinner round on Thursday?" is easier to accept than "let me know if you need anything".
What is a short sympathy message for the loss of a dog or cat?
A short pet sympathy message needs only two things: the pet's name and that you're sorry. Add one memory if you have it, such as how they greeted you at the door. Two or three lines is plenty. These examples work in a card, a text or the gift message with a keepsake:
- "So sorry about Bramble. She was the best greeter on the street."
- "Thinking of you and missing Milo with you."
- "Poppy was so lucky to have you. Sending love."
When someone's cat dies, the same rules apply. Mention the things cat owners miss, such as the cat on their lap or waiting at the window.
What shouldn't you say when someone's pet dies?
Avoid anything that shrinks the loss or rushes the person. Phrases like "it was only a dog", "at least they had a long life" and "when are you getting another one?" can hurt, even when meant kindly, and so can steering the talk to your own losses.
If you're writing a card, the short sympathy messages above give example wording.
How do you get through anniversaries and the first Christmas?
Plan something small and gentle for the day, rather than hoping it passes unnoticed: their favourite walk, a look through photos, a donation in their name or a candle. If you're supporting someone, a short message on the day shows you remembered, which matters more than anything you could buy.
Is it normal to feel grief again on my pet's anniversary?
Yes. Anniversaries, birthdays, gotcha days and holidays often bring grief back sharply, even when you've been coping well. A year on, other people have usually moved on, so the owner can feel alone with it, but that return of sadness is a normal part of grief.
If it's someone close to you, put the date in your calendar. "Thinking of you and Poppy today" can mean a great deal.
How can I remember my pet at Christmas?
Include them in the day rather than tiptoeing around the gap: hang their stocking with a photo inside, or put a keepsake among the decorations. Do their walk on Christmas morning, tell stories about them at the table, or give food or blankets to a rescue's Christmas appeal in their name.
For a memorial gift to arrive before Christmas, order by Thursday 10 December. Our Christmas candle guide has the details, and also covers decorating the mantelpiece safely.
When is Pet Memorial Day?
National Pet Memorial Day is generally marked on the second Sunday in September. It began in the United States and isn't an official UK day, but you can use it as a moment to remember. In 2027 the second Sunday in September falls on 12 September.
When should you light a memorial candle for a pet?
Whenever it helps: many people light one on the anniversary, on a birthday or gotcha day, at Christmas, or on an evening when they're missing them. There are no rules, and lighting a candle simply gives you a few quiet minutes and a sense of doing something.
A simple remembrance ritual
- Choose a quiet time, perhaps when they used to come and find you.
- Put the candle on a heatproof surface next to their photo.
- Light it and sit with it. Look through photos, or simply think about them.
- When you're ready, snuff it out and put the photo back.
Is it safe to light a candle with other pets in the house?
It can be, as long as the flame is always supervised and kept out of their reach, because a wagging tail or a curious cat can knock a candle over. Ventilate the room, let pets leave if they want to, and check with your vet first if a pet has breathing problems.
"Never leave naked flames unattended or in reach of a pet," according to a vet quoted by PDSA (2026), which adds that pets can jump onto counters and shelves.
- Trim the wick to about 5mm before each burn.
- Use a heatproof surface away from draughts and curtains.
- Let the first burn melt the top fully.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Keep it well away from children and pets.
Our soy candle guide has the full safety and burning advice, including fragrance around dogs and cats.
What are some ways to remember a pet at home?
Some of the most comforting memorials are things you make yourself, such as a memory box, a photo book, a letter to your pet or a memory jar. A special spot in the garden works too, and these projects give you something to do with your hands in the weeks after.
How do I make a pet memory box?
Choose a sturdy box and fill it with things that remind you of them: their collar and tag, a favourite toy, a clipping of fur, the vet's paw print and printed photos. Cruse suggests filling it with "items, pictures, photos, what ever reminds you of them", and a shoebox works fine.
- A photo book. Pictures from puppyhood or kittenhood to the end, for the whole family.
- A letter to them. Write everything you'd want to say. You don't need to show anyone.
- A memory jar. Friends and family each write a memory on a slip of paper.
- A garden spot. A stone or plant where they liked to lie. Check plants against the toxic lists above.
How do I get my pet's paw print?
Ask your vet, ideally before or at the final appointment. Many vets offer to take a paw print in clay or ink, and PDSA says you can also ask for the collar, harness or a clipping of fur. If the moment has passed, a photo of their paws can be framed instead.
What is the Rainbow Bridge poem, and who wrote it?
The Rainbow Bridge is a short poem about pet loss that begins: "Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge." It was written in 1959 by Edna Clyne-Rekhy, a 19-year-old Scottish artist, after her Labrador, Major, died, according to National Geographic (2023).
She shared it without her name, so it spread anonymously for decades. "Crossed the Rainbow Bridge" is now a common, gentle way of saying a pet has died. It's often copied into sympathy cards, so check the person would find it comforting first.
Can I bury my dog or cat in my garden in the UK?
In England, yes: you don't need permission to bury a pet dog or cat in your own garden or on other land you own, according to GOV.UK (2022). Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules, and if you rent, check with your landlord first.
PDSA recommends a grave at least 4ft (1m) deep. Home burial isn't suitable if the pet had recent chemotherapy or a contagious disease.
What is the difference between communal and individual pet cremation?
In communal cremation, several pets are cremated together and no ashes are returned to you. In individual cremation, your pet is cremated alone and the ashes come back, often in a casket you choose, and a private cremation lets you choose the crematorium yourself.
| Option | Ashes returned? | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Home burial | Not applicable | Allowed on your own land in England; at least 4ft (1m) deep |
| Communal cremation | No | Pets are cremated together |
| Individual cremation | Yes | You can usually choose a casket or engraving |
| Private cremation | Yes | You choose the crematorium; the vet can keep the body until then |
The Competition and Markets Authority's final report on vet services requires practices to tell owners they can arrange cremation directly with a crematorium and to publish cremation prices, according to Pet Business World (2026). The crematoria trade body warned that "individual" and "communal" can mean different things at different providers, so ask exactly what's included.
What can I do with my pet's ashes?
You can keep them at home, bury them or scatter them. In England, you can bury ashes from a single pet cremation on your own land without permission, according to GOV.UK. You need the landowner's permission anywhere else. If you keep them at home, a shelf with their photo and a keepsake can become a quiet memorial spot.
What should I plant on my pet's grave?
Choose something you love, but check it isn't toxic if other pets use the garden. Avoid lilies where cats roam, and spring bulbs, foxgloves and yew where dogs dig or chew, based on the International Cat Care and Battersea lists above. Neither list is complete, so check with your vet or garden centre.
How do I tell my child our pet has died?
Be honest and use simple words: say the pet has "died" and that their body has stopped working. Avoid "put to sleep", which can make a child afraid of bedtime, and stories like "gone to live on a farm", which can leave them thinking they caused it.
That is the advice, according to Cruse Bereavement Support (accessed 2026), which also notes that children can be "more resilient than we realise". A few other things tend to help:
- Let them see you're sad. It shows them grief is normal.
- Give them something to do. A drawing, a letter or helping to plant something.
- Let them choose a keepsake. If it's a candle, keep it unlit and out of reach.
- Expect questions later. Children often come back to it weeks afterwards.
PDSA says older children may find it helps to be at a euthanasia appointment if they understand what will happen. It can distress some children, so go by your child's age and nature.
Is there free pet bereavement support in the UK?
Yes: Blue Cross Pet Loss Support, previously the Pet Bereavement Support Service, offers free and confidential support by phone, webchat and email. Cat owners can also use Cats Protection's free Paws to Listen service, where trained volunteer listeners take calls on weekdays.
Many people don't know this help exists. In a Blue Cross survey of 2,000 pet owners, only 23% knew about the service, according to VN Online (2024). You'll find Paws to Listen on the Cats Protection website, which points people to Samaritans outside its opening hours.
Who can I talk to about losing my pet?
Start with someone who understands pets: a friend who has lost one, the Blue Cross Pet Loss Support service, or Cats Protection's Paws to Listen if you had a cat. If grief stays very heavy or stops you functioning, talk to your GP. Cruse Bereavement Support also has a page on pet loss.
If you're supporting someone, keep checking in, because the loneliness often hits weeks after the cards stop.
Ordering and delivery
Every memorial candle is hand-poured to order and dispatched in 3–5 working days, with free tracked Royal Mail UK delivery. You can send it straight to the person grieving, with a few words in the free gift message box in your cart. For a specific date, message us before ordering, and note the Christmas last order date is Thursday 10 December. Full details, including returns, are on our shipping and returns page.
For other life events, see our guide to candle gifts for special occasions. When you're ready, you'll find every dog breed and the cat candle in our pet memorial gifts collection.
