Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Our practice is dedicated exclusively to at-home euthanasia for dogs and cats with illnesses or conditions that cannot be reasonably treated.

We do our best to accommodate same day appointment requests whenever possible, but our schedule is sometimes full. If you feel that your pet needs a same-day appointment, please feel free to call and ask about availability. Please call as early as possible to see if there is still same-day availability--please leave a voicemail if it's before business hours. To help ensure availability, it's best to schedule a couple of days in advance, but we realize this isn't always possible, and we will do our best to get you in when needed.

We are sorry, but we are not able to provide emergency euthanasia appointments outside of regular hours. If your pet needs to be seen urgently, please click here for contact information for some of the 24/7 emergency hospitals in our regional area.

Each visit begins with time to talk, answer any questions you may have, and make sure you feel comfortable with the process. This also allows your pet a few minutes to meet the veterinarian and settle in. The veterinarian will then prepare the medications, which usually takes about 10 minutes.

In nearly all cases, sedation and pain-relieving medications are given first, helping your pet to become very relaxed. Most pets appear to be sleeping once these medications take effect. The euthanasia medication (an anesthetic) is then administered and the veterinarian will confirm that your pet has passed. You will then have time and privacy to be with your pet and say goodbye. We schedule time for this so it is never rushed.

We do our best to accommodate your preference, whether that is in a favorite room, on a bed (yours or your pet's), a couch, a favorite spot in your yard, or another location that is meaningful for you and your pet.

Absolutely. You are welcome to stay with your pet throughout the entire procedure.

All who you wish to attend are welcome to be present. This includes children, other pets, family members or friends. If you have another pet who is easily excitable, or who you feel may become stressed, you may choose to have them say goodbye to their departed friend after the euthanasia. The veterinarian will wait outside, so that you have privacy during that time.

There is nothing that you need to do in advance. You can help your pet feel comfortable by having their favorite foods or treats, toy, blanket, or other familiar items nearby. We will bring everything else needed for the visit and do our best to guide and support both you and your pet throughout the process.

Visits are never hurried. Time is allowed for questions, for sedative medications to take effect, and for final goodbyes following euthanasia. Visits usually last about 1-1.5 hours.

Yes. There is no need to withhold food or water prior to the appointment. If your pet is still eating and enjoying food, we encourage you to have some of their favorite foods or treats available during the visit. Offering favorite foods or treats can help comfort your pet and may even distract them while the sedation medications are given. You can continue to give your pet their favorite foods and treats as they become sleepy. This can help them feel calm and comfortable throughout the process.

Sedatives and pain relieving medications are usually given under the skin, and sometimes into a muscle. The veterinarian will pick the sedation medications and protocol based upon your pet's individual condition and will give additional medications, as needed. The euthanasia medication is a type of anesthetic and is most often given into a vein using a butterfly catheter. If a vein is not able to be accessed--which can sometimes happen due to patient-specific factors--the veterinarian will ensure that your pet is anesthetized and an alternative route of administration can then be used. If your pet already has an IV catheter in place, and it is patent, it can be used to give the medications.

Most pets become very relaxed and appear to be sleeping within 5-20 minutes after these medications are given. However, pets are individuals, and responses can vary. Differences in response may be influenced by factors such as age or underlying illness. The veterinarian will remain with you and your pet throughout the process and will closely monitor your pet, making adjustments as needed. If you have any questions about potential variability in response to medications, please don't hesitate to ask.

Sedation and pain-relieving medications are given first, in nearly all cases, helping your pet to become very relaxed. Some pets may be briefly uncomfortable from getting an injection, but whenever possible, we can offer their favorite treats to distract them. After the sedative and pain-relieving medications take effect, most pets are very deeply relaxed and appear to be sleeping. The euthanasia medication is an anesthetic and, when it is given, pets become deeply unconscious before death occurs.

We offer both individual and communal cremation options, or you may keep your pet and make your own aftercare arrangements if you prefer.

With individual cremation, your pet will be cremated separately from other pets and your pet's ashes are returned to you. Though more than one pet is in the cremation chamber at a time, each pet is placed in their own stainless steel pan and separation is maintained throughout the process. The ashes you receive will be those of your pet.

With communal cremation, pets are cremated together, without separation, and the ashes are not returned. The crematory retains and scatters the combined ashes of all pets who receive a communal cremation.

We are happy to answer questions about cremation options and help you consider what feels right for you and your pet.

Yes. If you would like a hair clipping, please ask us during your appointment and we will be happy to clip some hair from the location of your choice for you to keep as a rememberance. For pets who are euthanized and also come with us for cremation, we can create a complimentary clay impression paw print at no additional charge. For those who choose to have their pet cremated, the crematory also offers a variety of other keepsake options, at an additional cost--to inquire, please contact them directly at (831)722-8722.

Individual cremation: It typically takes 1-2 weeks for your pet's ashes to be returned. 

Communal cremation: Ashes are not returned.

Keepsakes: A complimentary clay impression paw print is made by the veterinarian for pets she has seen for euthanasia and who also come with us for either an individual or communal cremation. The crematory provides an acknowledgement certificate for all pets they receive for cremation. These keepsakes (along with any additional items ordered by you directly from the crematory) are typically delivered 1-2 weeks following your appointment. If you have chosen individual cremation and are receiving your pet's ashes, keepsakes will be delivered to you at the same time as your pet's ashes.

Delivery: Ashes and keepsakes are hand-delivered to us from the crematory on Wednesday afternoons and we will deliver them to you that evening, whenever possible. If we are unable to make your delivery that evening (we occasionally need to see late appointments), delivery will generally occur on Thursday afternoons. We will attempt to contact you via phone and/or text prior to delivery. If you are not going to be home, we can leave your pet's ashes and/or any keepsakes in a safe spot of your choosing, or we can hold on to them for delivery the following week.

The decision to euthanize a pet is one of the most difficult choices anyone can face. Sometimes, the decision is clear. Often, though, there is no single "perfect" moment and the right time depends on your pet's quality of life. Quality of life refers to your pet's ability to enjoy daily activities, feel comfortable, and engage in the things that they love. Quality of life assessment is generally most applicable when your pet has permanent or ongoing health problems that are not reasonably able to be managed/treated and which may cause sustained discomfort or suffering (vs a temporary problem that may affect their comfort only in the short term). It becomes more clear that it's time to say goodbye when your pet is experiencing persistent pain, struggling with daily activities, having more bad days than good, or is unable to enjoy the things they once loved.

Yes. I understand how difficult this decision can be and I want to support you with honesty and compassion. At times, I may bring up options other than euthanasia, just so that you have all the information you need to make the decision that feels right for you and your pet. Occasionally, I may ask that a pet be seen by their regular veterinarian for further evaluation and/or treatment before proceeding with euthanasia.

An invoice can be emailed ahead of time for those who prefer to take care of payment before the visit. If not, payment may be made at the time of the appointment. Cash, checks and major credit cards are accepted.