LIFELINE ON LOSS

GRIEVING cat lovers can now get help coping with the death of their pet from a specialist counselling service.

Cats Protection launched its Paws to Listen phone line after discovering owners found it hard to share their sadness with friends.

The service has been backed by telly vet Emma Milne, who was devastated when her cat Brian died recently, aged 17.

She said: “People who don’t have pets often find it difficult to understand the level of grief. But to animal lovers, pets are part of the family.

“When I lost my last cat, Brian, he had been with me through marriage, divorce and the births of both my children. He was a huge part of my life.

“The Cats Protection grief service will be a great source of comfort.”

Trained volunteers man the confidential phone line from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

Research by the charity also revealed one in four owners expected to grieve for up to a year. Three quarters said OUR vet Brian Faulkner, from Petplan, has 16 years of experience and is a freelance working all over the country. Send your questions to Brian at: Petplan, Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9DX or via Petplan’s Facebook page facebook.com/ PetplanUK.

“It can be incredibly difficult for owners to make that final decision to have their cat put to sleep. Grief can also extend to owners whose cats have gone missing or been rehomed.

“There are emotional hurdles and owners also have practical questions such as what to do with the body of their pet. It can compound their grief.

“Our service is designed to help owners move forward and find the best way to remember their pet.”

Cats Protection has a memory wall on its website, where owners can pay tribute to pets. There is also an online forum where owners can connect.

Visit cats.org.uk or call the Paws to Listen phone line on 0800 024 94 94. MY pet cat has been scratching loads of furniture when she’s left alone in the house. Can we train her not to do this or is it part of her nature as a cat?