How to Write a Heartfelt Pet Sympathy Card

A vital component of building relationships between customers and your business is simply showing you care­—particularly when they’re struggling with a loss.

If you’ve ever had a pet, you know how deep that emotional attachment can be. Today, these bonds are stronger than ever as more people eschew traditional family arrangements and embrace “pet parent” status. For many, pets are full-fledged family members so when they pass away the grief is significant.

Just as you would reach out to clients and customers for other losses, you should express your condolences with a card when you learn customers have lost a pet. Showing compassion will help them feel less isolated in their grief and make it clear you care about them as more than a data point or revenue stream.

You might doubt whether business sympathy cards for pets can truly make a difference. But the reactions we’ve seen to cards truly demonstrate that empathy goes a long way for those grieving.

Showing Concern and Empathy

How can you establish a company culture of “being there” for customers during difficult times? Empower and encourage your team to be responsive when a customer experiences a loss of a pet.

Imagine one of your customer care representatives is on a service call. During small talk, the customer mentions they’re having a rough day because they recently lost a furry friend.

Whether your brand and business are related to pets or not, wouldn’t you want your employee to do something thoughtful and unexpected to provide exceptional service? Of course, you would! But you can’t assume your employees will instinctively know they should engage with this personal matter or the most appropriate way to offer their heartfelt condolences.

How to Write Pet Sympathy Cards

Your staff may need prompting to take action in situations like this and learn how to authentically express empathy in the workplace. They’ll need guidance on how to send a meaningful message.

Below are Hallmark Business Connections’ three best practices for writing a sympathy card for the loss of a pet.

• Be genuine.

  Knowing what to write in a business sympathy card can be hard, but you don’t have to use a lot of words. Even short or simple messages like “We’re so sorry to hear about the loss of…” can express your authentic, heartfelt condolences.

• Acknowledge your recipient’s grief.

  Use the body of your message to tell the pet parent that you realize how much their animal meant to them. If you’re unsure how to spell the pet’s name, conduct a little research on social media so you get it right.

• Close with compassion.

  Show you care by reminding the owner to make time for themselves to grieve and remember their happiest memories with their furry, finned or feathered friend.

Put together, your message might look something like this:

We’re incredibly sorry to hear about the loss of Bella. The bond that comes from spending so many years with a beloved pet is a strong one — and we understand how much Bella meant to you. Please take the moments needed to care for yourself during such a difficult time.

We send our deepest condolences to you and the loved ones who knew her.

With care,

The Team at ABC, Inc.

What to Write Inspiration

• I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your (pet, dog, cat). I hope the happy memories bring you comfort as you grieve.

• Our sincere condolences on the loss of (pet’s name). We loved (his/her) big personality and will truly miss seeing (him/her) at the office.

• I hope you know what a difference you made in (pet’s name)’s life. I’m so sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace.

• The bond you shared with your beloved (pet, dog, cat, pet’s name) was undeniable, and we want you to know we understand and are here for you. Thinking of you as you remember (him/her).

Being there for customers isn’t an exact science. When sending a sympathy card from a business, just remember to keep the card authentic—and let the emotions do the rest. By making it a priority to show empathy for customers, you can differentiate your company and better support clients. Get started today by keeping pet sympathy and general sympathy cards on hand.