Hi, friends.

I'm Kayel, an animal chaplain raising funds for the recently launched Pet Loss Support Text Line.

I started my journey to animal chaplaincy during my time in Upaya Zen Center's Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Program in 2021. While in the program, I lost my beloved cat, Thor, after a long period of illness. It was some of the deepest grief I've experienced and it inspired me to become an animal chaplain.

Pet grief often lacks many of the resources that other types of grief might already have in place. This can vary by geography, but most of what I hear from folks is that more support is needed. Enter, the Pet Loss Support Text Line.

I have spent a few years now volunteering as a crisis counselor with another text line. During that time, I've seen first hand how helpful it can be to simply send a text and be met with compassion on the other side. It can change people's lives.

The Pet Loss Support Text Line is intended to offer free, specialized support for those who are grieving pet loss, dealing with anticipatory grief, caring for pets in hospice or with chronic pet conditions, as well as other difficulties that pet caretakers face. Veterinary staff also face a lot of these same challenges and this is intended to be a support for them as well.

My hope (with your help!) is to quickly expand the service hours offered, bring more folks on board, get the word out across the country through a new website and other marketing, and also seek non-profit status. I hope you'll consider supporting the Pet Loss Support Text Line.

Other ways to help support the text line:

Spread the word to people you know who may need support.

Tell your vet's office about it.

Share this fundraiser.

All support is so appreciated.

For more information about the text line.

Use of Funds Transparency

$10 - supports one month's use of the text line number

$25 - supports one month website hosting

Unknown costs at the time of this post: state and federal filings, marketing materials, bringing on further support staff.

*More transparency information will be added/updated as it becomes available.