Blue Cross launches new Pet Loss Support Referral Toolkit for veterinary practices

 

Free toolkit helps veterinary teams extend client support before, during and after pet loss

London, November 2026 – Blue Cross is launching a new Pet Loss Support Veterinary Referral Toolkit at London Vet Show 2026, giving veterinary teams a simple way to connect clients with continued emotional support when they need it whilst supporting employee wellbeing.

For more than 30 years, Blue Cross Pet Loss Support has helped people through the emotional impact of pet loss. The new toolkit is designed to make that established, free service easier for veterinary practices to build into their existing client-care pathways.

More than signposting

Many practices already tell clients about Blue Cross Pet Loss Support. The new toolkit helps take this a step further by creating a clear and consistent referral pathway that the whole practice team can use.

It's deliberately simple: the veterinary team recognises when a client may benefit from continued emotional support, refers them to Blue Cross and provides the service details. The client then contacts Blue Cross directly when they feel ready.

The toolkit includes practical guidance on when and how to refer, suggested language for client conversations, professional boundaries, safeguarding and ways to embed the pathway across the practice.

Support before, during and after loss

Importantly, Pet Loss Support isn't only for clients whose pet has died.

Blue Cross can support people experiencing anticipatory grief, difficult end-of-life and euthanasia decisions, bereavement, theft and enforced separation – before, during and after loss.

Support is free and confidential and available through trained volunteers by telephone, email and webchat, with peer support also available through the private, moderated Facebook Community.

Supporting veterinary teams too

The referral pathway also gives veterinary teams somewhere trusted to turn when a client needs more time and emotional support than can realistically be provided within an appointment.

Diane James, Head of People Services – Pet Loss, Education and Community Projects at Blue Cross, said:

“Veterinary teams already provide an enormous amount of emotional support to clients. Our aim isn't to replace that care, but to extend the support around it.

“A referral to Blue Cross gives clients somewhere trusted to turn when they need more time to talk – while helping veterinary teams know they don't have to provide that ongoing emotional support alone.

“And that support doesn't have to wait until a pet has died. We can be there before, during and after loss.”

Blue Cross also provides award-winning, accredited Pet Loss Support training and CPD, giving practices the opportunity to both equip their teams for difficult conversations and establish a clear route to continued client support.

Discover the toolkit at London Vet Show

The toolkit launches at London Vet Show, 19–20 November 2026 at ExCeL London.

Visit Blue Cross Pet Loss Support at stand Y41, directly outside Clinical Theatre 1, to meet the team, discover how the referral pathway could work in your practice and access the new toolkit.

Delegates can also enter for the chance to win a free place on the 2027 Blue Cross Pet Loss Support course, worth £300.

A simple referral. Continued support. No cost to the practice or client.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Blue Cross Pet Loss Support has supported people affected by pet loss since 1994. Support is free and confidential and available every day from 8.30am–8.30pm via telephone, email and webchat.

Pet Loss Support: 0800 096 6606
Blue Cross Pet Loss Support
Pet Loss Support training and CPD

#BlueCrossPetLoss

London Vet Show: 19–20 November 2026, ExCeL London
Blue Cross stand: Y41, directly outside Clinical Theatre 1