FAQs

Considering euthanasia can be a stressful and confusing decision. 

We all want what is best for our beloved pets and that includes evaluating their quality of life. That’s why Pets at Peace wants to help you make an informed and thoughtful decision about their final moments.

What is a concierge service and why does it cost more?

  • Concierge service offers a personalized level of attention that is not attainable in a busy animal hospital.
  • We prioritize convenience for the pet owner. This allows for flexible appointment times and home visits.
  • Pets at Peace offers an exceptional quality of service with an unparalleled level of expertise. This ensures that your pet’s passing will be calm and gentle.
  • Our services also include aftercare for your pet. Depending on your choice of aftercare, these services can be more costly.
  • While concierge services can be more expensive upfront, some pet owners find the added convenience, personalized expert care, and peace of mind well worth the investment, especially at this most personal and emotional time.

Why would you consider in-home euthanasia?

  • If you wish to say goodbye in the quiet and comfort of your own home.
  • If you wish to decrease stress for both you and your pet.
  • If your pet is not able to stand or walk easily thus making it difficult to get to the veterinarian’s office.
  • If you have difficulty getting your pet into a carrier or the car.
  • If you do not have transportation to the hospital.
  • If you’d like a planned, controlled, and peaceful way of saying goodbye to your pet that does not involve the noise and distractions of a veterinary office.

How do I know when it is time?

  • Speak with your regular veterinarian and discuss the disease process of your pet
  • Measure good days vs. bad days. Keep a calendar so you can look back and see if the good days are still outweighing the bad ones.
  • If your pet has no chance of recovery from an illness or disease state and is starting to decline further.
  • If your pet has no enjoyment in life. Does your pet refuse to go on walks or play ball anymore? Has your pet stopped eating? Are they unable to get up without major assistance from you?
  • When medication and other intervention are no longer working to help your pet

Consider arranging a telemedicine appointment with us to help determine the right time.

In what way can I prepare?

  • Think about how you would like your pet’s remains cared for. Would you prefer to bury your pet at home, or would you like them to be cremated with or without the ashes returned to you?
  • Consider what things make your pet the happiest. Spoil your pet with their favorite treats and extra attention.
  • Where would you like your pet to be when we come to do the procedure? Outside or inside? In a particular room?
  • Is there a special bed or blanket you would like your pet to be on? A special toy you would like us to take with your pet if we transport them for cremation?
  • Feel free to light candles or a fire in the fireplace. Music can also set a desired atmosphere. It will be important to have some source of light in order for us to easily see your pet’s veins. Perhaps a lamp or overhead light.
  • Think about who you would like to be there with you. Who needs to say goodbye ahead of time? We have even performed euthanasia via Facetime when a family member was not physically close to home.
  • Would you like to have an impression of your pet’s paw in clay? Would you like us to clip some fur for you before we leave with your pet?
  • Finally, please know that we are not in a rush. We are there to answer your questions and make this as peaceful and gentle an experience as is possible.

Should my children or other pets be present?

We think it is incredibly important for children to have the opportunity to say goodbye to a beloved pet. Avoiding terms like “putting the pet to sleep” or “putting the pet down” are important so as not to confuse young children. These phrases can tend to needlessly worry them that if they go “to sleep” they will not wake up. Be as honest as possible with what is happening with the pet, so they know this is a normal part of life.

Having a child say goodbye can happen before we arrive, or it may be appropriate to have a child present for the euthanasia. We generally find that children under 8 have difficulty being present and require care and attention from a parent, which in turns leads to disruption of your own time saying goodbye to your pet. This is not a hard and fast rule and it is certainly up to you as the parent to decide how you would like the event to go. We have listed some information on our resources page regarding children and pet loss so that you can explore this before you decide.

If you are considering having other household pets present, please take the following into account:

  • Is your other pet very anxious with strangers in the home?
  • Are they aggressive or protective of you or your sick pet?
  • Will they be very disruptive during the procedure such that you are unable to
    focus on saying goodbye to your pet?

The above are reasons to NOT have another pet present during the euthanasia. It does not however suggest that they cannot come to say goodbye to their friend once the procedure has ended. We have found that some pets do truly have a notable response to knowing that their friend has passed.