en کیفی Qualitative پژوهشي Research <div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Background</strong>: Companion animals serve as crucial emotional anchors for humans, particularly in times of crisis. The 2023 Antakya earthquake in Turkey caused extensive casualties and infrastructure destruction. However, disasters not only claim human lives but also result in the loss or forced separation of large numbers of companion animals. Although the importance of the human&ndash;animal relationship is increasingly acknowledged in disaster psychology, the emotional and psychological consequences of losing a pet during such events remain insufficiently explored.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Materials and Methods</strong>: This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted between February and March 2023 in Antakya, Turkey. Participants were purposively recruited from families who received assistance at mobile veterinary clinics operated by Iranian relief teams. Ten individuals who had lost their companion animals were interviewed using semi-structured guides. Data were analyzed thematically using Colaizzi&rsquo;s method to identify the core meanings of the participants&rsquo; lived experiences.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Results</strong>: The analysis revealed three overarching themes: 1. 1. Emotional devastation and grief parallel to human loss: Participants described intense sadness, guilt, and helplessness comparable to those experienced during human bereavement; 2. Disruption of daily identity and coping mechanisms: The loss of routine caregiving and emotional connection led to feelings of purposelessness and psychological disequilibrium; and 3. Perceived social misunderstanding and isolation: Participants felt that their grief was dismissed or trivialized, exacerbating emotional distress and social withdrawal.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Pet loss during disasters represents a neglected yet significant dimension of human suffering, manifesting as disenfranchised grief. Recognizing and addressing this form of bereavement within disaster mental health frameworks is essential. Integrating animal-related grief support into psychosocial interventions may mitigate long-term trauma and foster more compassionate and resilient post-disaster recovery.&nbsp;</div> Disaster psychology, Companion animals, Pet Loss, Grief, Phenomenology, Earthquake, Antakya 2023 31 38 http://hdq.uswr.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-545-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Hossein Salehi salehi.vet.1990@gmail.com 0000-0002-1340-2792 No Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. SiminTaj Sharififar s_sharififar@yahoo.com‏ 0000-0002-1255-9915 Yes Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Faculty of Nursing, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Sakineh Sharifian sakineh.sharifian@gmail.com 0000-0001-5834-6985 No Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Faculty of Nursing, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Arasb Dabbagh Moghaddam DR.ARASB@gmail.com No Nursing and midwifery care research center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Saeed Nazari Saeed.nazari93@yahoo.com No Infectious Diseases Research Center, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Hamid Karimi Kivi hamidkkarimikivi@yahoo.com 0000-0002-5257-5549 No Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Miandoab School of Medical Sciences, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.