Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye to your best friend is never easy.
We understand your loss and offer ways to help at this difficult time.

Read The Rainbow Bridge, a poem about pet loss.

Explaining Euthanasia
Read a letter to a client in which Dr. Saueressig, a veterinarian at the Humane Society since 1955, explains the euthanasia procedure - click here.

Cremation Service
Cremation service is available when you bring your pet to the receiving desk at either of our adoption centers during business hours. For more information, call (314) 951-1562 (St. Louis City Center ), (314) 951-1588 (Westport Area Center), and (636) 530-8230 (Chesterfield Valley Center).

We offer pick-up service from your home in St. Louis City and St. Louis County for your recently deceased pet. Please phone (314) 951-1562 within six hours of your pet's passing. Cremations and pick-ups are affordable services provided by the Humane Society of Missouri.

You may also make these arrangements at our veterinary medical centers at the time of euthanasia.

Pet Loss Support Group When: The first Monday of every month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Where: Humane Society of Missouri Lower Level, Classroom 1201 Macklind Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110 For more information, please contact Sarah J. Wildt, LCSW, Bethesda Hospice Care Social Worker & Bereavement Assistant, 314-471-5316. Offered in partnership by Bethesda Hospice Care and Humane Society of Missouri.

• St. Louis Veterinary Medical Center at Macklind Avenue Headquarters
  (314) 951-1534
• Westport Area Veterinary Medical Center
  in Maryland Heights
  (314) 951-1590
• Chesterfield Valley Center in Boone's Crossing Veterinary Medical Center
  (636) 530-0806

Ash Interment at Carol Gates Throop Memorial Park
Carol Gates Throop Memorial Park features a columbarium in which you may inter your pet's ashes. Proceeds benefit the animals in our care. For more information on ash interment or memorials for your pet, click here or contact the development department at (314) 951-1542 or e-mail the development department.

Pet Loss Support
We recognize that pets are beloved members of our families. Many people experience the loss or serious illness of a pet as a significant event in their lives and need support in their grief.

People lose their pets in a variety of ways – death of the pet, a pet who escapes from home and is not recovered, and changes in the life of a person that force him/her to surrender a pet, like serious illness or moving into a nursing home.

If you are grieving the loss or illness of a pet, we invite you to attend our Pet Loss Support Group. You will be surrounded by others who understand your grief, and the group will be facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker. There is no charge to attend this group. For more information, please contact Sarah J. Wildt, LCSW, Bethesda Hospice Care Social Worker & Bereavement Assistant, 314-471-5316.

For caring and supportive materials dedicated to helping those who have faced or are facing the loss of a beloved pet and best friend, phone (314) 951-1579 or e-mail the education department.