Ithaca Community Pet Memorial

One cold morning on February 2, 2013, the first Ithaca Community Pet Memorial Service was held in the bright loft of Carriage House Cafe. Twenty five people were in attendance with collars, pictures, and memories to share of their beloved pets that had recently passed away. The following year, word of the event had spread and the number of participants swelled to 40. The power of the human-animal bond that brought these people together charged the atmosphere with emotion. In the center of the room, framed photos and artwork of furred and feathered family members lost were reflected in mirrors on a table. Most attendees took turns speaking about their pets. Some simply lit a candle in remembrance and sat silently with their thoughts. Tears were shed and hugs were shared among strangers, brought together by their mutual love for their pets.

To many people, pets are family members and their loss leaves a void just as would the passing of a parent or child. The Community Pet Memorial Service offers people a chance to honor their pets that have passed away in a safe space among others that can empathize. The holiday season is a particularly difficult time for families who have lost pets, so we have traditionally tried to hold the service in the winter months.

Since founding Whole Animal Veterinary Hospice Services in 2010, Dr. Katherine Goldberg has provided compassionate, personalized end-of-life care for geriatric pets. She has experienced first-hand the strength of the human-animal bond and started the Ithaca Community Pet Memorial Service to offer people the opportunity to honor it.

For the past two years, Dr. Goldberg has been the sole sponsor of the Memorial Service, with the annual cost reaching about $1500. We try to keep costs low with the majority of this amount going towards venue rental. The remainder buys snacks, coffee/tea, and materials. The overwhelming amount of positive feedback we have received in response to this event reinforces the need for it in our community. This year, Whole Animal is asking for the help of the community - without your donations, we will be unable to put together the Community Pet Memorial Service. Please take a moment to donate and spread the word so that we can offer the Third Annual Community Pet Memorial Service to those that need it.