What to Expect
Saying goodbye at home lets your pet be where they feel safest, with the people who love them. Here is how the visit goes, so you can keep your attention on your pet.
Before the visit
We give a one-hour arrival window and aim for the start of it. As a mobile practice, we sometimes run a little behind. We’ll try to let you know when the doctor is on her way.
The doctor can do the euthanasia wherever you and your pet are most comfortable. That can be inside, or outside on a porch, deck or in the yard, weather permitting. Treats, a soft blanket or your pet’s own bed are all welcome.
Yes. Children are welcome. Other pets are welcome too if they’ll keep to themselves. If a pet is likely to bark or look for attention from the doctor, it’s usually easiest to have them in another room or the yard during the euthanasia. They can be with you before and during sedation, and can see your pet afterward before the doctor takes them for cremation.
For dogs over about 50 pounds, the doctor may need help carrying your dog to her vehicle afterward. If you can’t help or would rather not, let us know ahead of time and we can ask the crematory to meet us at your home. That adds a fee starting at $75.
During the visit
The doctor gives sedation first. It’s an injection, much like a vaccine, and your pet usually falls asleep within 5 to 15 minutes. While your pet falls asleep, the doctor steps away to give you time alone together before the euthanasia, unless it’s medically necessary to stay close by.
When you’re ready, the doctor comes back and makes sure your pet is deeply asleep. The euthanasia is a second injection, usually given into a vein in a leg. You’re welcome to stay close, hold your pet and keep talking to them the whole time. Your pet passes peacefully within a minute or two, and the doctor listens to the heart and lets you know when they’ve gone.
It’s normal for a pet’s eyes to stay open, and for them to take a deep breath or have small muscle twitches afterward. These are reflexes, not signs of pain or awareness.
Afterward
Afterward, take all the time you need to say goodbye. If you’ve chosen cremation, the doctor will take your pet for transport in a secure and respectful manner.
If you choose cremation, we take your pet with us and arrange it with Agape Pet Services or Companah Water Cremation. With communal cremation, no ashes are returned. With private cremation, your pet’s ashes come back to you in an urn, with a selection of urns included. Full cremation prices are on our Services & Pricing page.
Keepsakes
You’ll receive a clay paw impression and a lock of fur. Extra clay impressions are $15 each. The crematoriums also offer their own paw prints and memorials that you can order.
Or call us at (919) 306-1878.