Prayers For Loss of a Pet

We pray for many reasons. During times of loss, such as when a beloved pet dies, prayer can offer comfort and help us on the path toward healing.

For some, private prayer offers the best solace. For others, joining with others who shared our pet’s life to offer prayer provides a valuable shared expression of spirituality.

There are many appropriate prayers for the loss of a pet. We have collected some that we think can offer particular comfort. They can be used for solitary reflection or be incorporated into a ceremony to honor your pet.

Make Me An Instrument of Thy Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

—St. Francis of Assisi (Patron Saint of Animals)

Prayer for the Death of a Pet

O Lord our God, we come before You this day in sadness. (Pet’s name), who brought us so much joy in life, has now died. (His/Her) happy times in our family’s embrace have come to an end. We miss (pet’s name) already.

Help us, O God, to remember the good times with (pet’s name). Remind us to rejoice in the happy times (he/she) brought to our home. Let us be thankful for the good life we were blessed to give to (him/her).

We are grateful to You, God, for creating (pet’s name), for entrusting (him/her) to our care, and for sustaining (him/her) in our love for a measure of time. We understand that all that lives must die. We knew that this day would come. And yet, O God, we would have wanted one more day of play, one more evening of love with (pet’s name).

O God, as we have taken care of (pet’s name) in life, we ask that You watch over (him/her) in death. You entrusted (pet’s name) to our care; now, we give (him/her) back to You. May (pet’s name) find a happy new home in Your loving embrace.

As we remember (pet’s name), may we love each other more dearly. May we care for all Your creatures, for every living thing, as we protected the blessed life of (pet’s name). May (his/her) memory bless our lives with love and caring forever. Amen.

—Rabbi Barry H. Block

Catholic Prayer for the Animals

Heavenly Father, our human ties with our friends of other species is a wonderful and special gift from You. We now ask You to grant our special animal companions your Fatherly care and healing power to take away any suffering they have. Give us, their human friends, a new understanding of our responsibilities to these creatures of yours. They have trust in us as we have trust in You; We are on this earth together to give one another friendship, affection and caring. Take our heartfelt prayers and fill Your ill or suffering animals with healing Light and strength to overcome whatever weakness of body they have. ( Here mention the names of the animals needing prayer ) Your goodness is turned upon every living thing and Your grace flows to all Your creatures. Grant to our special animal companions long and healthy lives. Give them good relationships with and if You see fit to take them from us, help us to understand that they are not gone from us, but only drawing closer to You. Grant our petitions through the intercession of good St. Francis of Assisi, who honored You through all Your creatures.

—Author Unknown 

Prayer for Pets

Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, thank you for having entrusted us with such a loyal friend. Thank you for letting this beautiful animal teach us unselfish love. Thank you for the memories we can recall to brighten our days for the rest of our lives. Finally, in gratitude, we return our cherished companion to you. Amen.

—Author Unknown

A Pet’s Prayer

My people are so precious, Lord;
I know You think so too…
And I believe You put me here
To love them just for You!

They take such gentle care of me
And have such tender hearts…
Please use me, Lord, to comfort them
Whenever teardrops start.

They face a lot of battles
As they live & work each day…
they need me, Lord.
To make them smile
And show them how to play!

The world is full of people.
But sometimes real friends are few…
Please let my love & loyalty
Remind them, Lord, of You.

And when my final moment comes,
Lord, tell them as we part…
I was a made-to-order gift
From Your great, loving heart!

—Hope Harrington Kolb

A Parting Prayer

Dear Lord, please open your gates
And call St. Francis
To come escort this beloved companion
Across the Rainbow Bridge.

Assign her to a place of honor,
For she has been a faithful servant
And has always done her best to please me.

Bless the hands that send her to you,
For they are doing so in love and compassion,
Freeing her from pain and suffering.

Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss
Help me remember the details of her life
With the love she has shown me
And grant me the courage to honor her
By sharing those memories with others.

Let her remember me as well
And let her know that I will always love her.
And when it’s my time to pass over into your paradise,
Please allow her to accompany those
Who will bring me home.

Thank you, Lord,
For the gift of her companionship
And for the time we’ve had together.
And thank you, Lord,
For granting me the strength
To give her to you now.
Amen.

—Brandy Duckworth

Prayer for Lost Pets

Blessed are you, Lord God, for all living creatures you have made. You keep them in your
care and not one of them is lost without you knowing. They glorify you, each in its own
way, and speak to us of your beauty and love. Bless them and keep them from harm.
They unquestionably accept their place in the rhythm of your creation. May we respect
them and cherish them for they are your gift to us; through them may we come to know
you better and praise you, their Creator. Blessed be the love and joy that they bring to
us. Amen.

—Author Unknown

Good-bye Prayer of a Beloved Pet

We gather today joining hearts as we honor the loss of our beloved pet (pet’s name) who made our days and our lives more enjoyable. Someday we hope to meet with you again (pet’s name) in eternity with hugs, kisses, and tears. We miss your daily presence and unending love in our daily lives. Death ends a life but our relationship still lives on in my heart and in my memory of times we spent together. You are now free running the fields where we will meet again. You are restored to complete health. You are in God’s loving care forever. Amen

—Author Unknown

A Prayer for Animals

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them,
we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

—Albert Schweitzer