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Hospice & End of Life Care

When your pet is approaching the end of its life, we can help with hospice care: reducing pain as much as possible and aiding in your care of your declining pet.

A decision concerning euthanasia may be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make for your pet. Although it is a personal decision. We, family, and close friends can help you make it and can support you as you grieve the loss of your pet.

Consider not only what’s best for your pet, but also what is best for you and your family. If your pet’s quality of life is seriously impaired by an injury or disease that cannot be treated or requires more care than you and your family can provide, euthanasia may be the right decision. Quality of life is important for pets and people alike.

End of Life

When a decision for euthanasia has been made, decide what you want done with your pet’s remains. It may seem strange to make these arrangements prior to euthanasia, but it can bring some degree of comfort to know what will happen next, and you will not have to focus on this decision while you are grieving the recent loss of your beloved pet. We can provide information about home burial, cremation, and the possible return of the ashes.

End-of-life home visits are also available for the comfort of the family and to allow the pet’s passage to take place in a familiar environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

The only pain your pet will feel is the needle prick when a catheter is placed or a vein is accessed. In some instances, we administer a tranquilizer first to relax your pet. As the euthanasia drug is injected through the catheter or directly into the vein, the pet will become unconscious, go into a surgical plan of anesthesia, and as they get deeper, their heart will stop. Death is quick and painless. Your pet may move his or her legs or head or inhale deeply several times after the drug is given, but these are reflexes and your pet is not in pain.

The act of saying goodbye is an important step in managing the natural and healthy feelings of grief and sorrow following the loss of a beloved pet and companion.

Once the euthanasia decision has been made, you and other family members may want to say goodbye to your pet. Some pet owners choose to be present during their pet’s euthanasia, but others choose to say goodbye beforehand. This is a very personal decision, do what feels right for you.

After your pet has died, it is natural and normal to feel grief and sorrow. For some, spending some time with your pet after euthanasia is helpful. The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. We understand the grieving process and are here to help you adjust and cope in any way we can.