​​Choosing in-home euthanasia is a profound act of love, allowing your beloved furry friend to transition peacefully in the comfort of their most familiar and cherished surroundings. Our goal is to make this moment as gentle, personal, and serene as possible for both you and your pet.

 

Setting the Scene for Comfort

 

The entire process is designed around your pet's comfort.

• Choose the Perfect Spot: There's no need to move your pet to a cold, unfamiliar space. We encourage you to choose where they are most comfortable—on their favorite blanket, a sunny spot on the carpet, their beloved bed, or even the furniture.

• A Gathering of Love: We absolutely encourage you to have whatever adults, children, and other pets you wish to be present. Surrounding your pet with familiar faces and the people and animals they love helps create a calming and supportive environment.

 

Arrival and Last Treats

 

Once our compassionate team member arrives, we will ensure you have time to relax and share final moments with your pet.

• The Ultimate Treat Buffet: You are encouraged to feed your pet their absolute favorite treats. This is the one time you can truly indulge them! Feel free to offer them that slice of chocolate, a bite of forbidden human food, or anything else they might enjoy. It is imperative that you wait until we are present to feed them anything that may be toxic. We want to ensure that they are completely comfortable when they receive these special snacks.

 

The Sedation Process

 

The first step in our process is administering a sedative to ensure your pet is relaxed and completely unaware before the final injection is given. We offer two options for sedation based on your pet's temperament and comfort level:

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Option 1: Muscle Injection

The sedative is given via an injection into their muscle. This is the best option if your pet isn't a fan of having their paws touched. It will take approximately 5–10 minutes for your pet to fall into a deep sleep. We can then administer the final injection into their vein.

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Option 2: IV Catheter

A small IV catheter is temporarily placed into a vein. This allows us to administer a faster-acting sedative. This is ideal for pets who are calm and comfortable with gentle handling of their legs or paws. Once the sedative takes effect, your pet will drift into a deep, peaceful sleep. We can then administer the final injection into their vein.

 

The Final Step and Confirmation

 

After your pet is completely sedated, we will administer the final injection. This medication is an overdose of an anesthetic that quickly and painlessly stops the heart.

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• Confirmation: Following the final injection, we will listen to their heart with a stethoscope to confirm that it has stopped.

• Expected Post-Reactions: During and immediately after this process, your pet may experience involuntary physical movements such as muscle twitching or a few deep, gasping breaths known as agonal breathing.

 

Understanding Agonal Breathing

 

Agonal breathing is a reflex that can occur when the brain is oxygen-deprived, even if the heart has stopped. It is not a sign that your pet is still conscious, suffering, or trying to breathe. It is an involuntary muscle spasm of the diaphragm that can look like a final, deep, exaggerated gasp. It happens because the body's non-conscious processes are shutting down. If you witness this, please be assured that your pet is already peacefully gone and is not experiencing any distress.

 

Aftercare Options: Private Cremation

 

If you choose private cremation, we will gently wrap your beloved friend and take them with us at that time.

• Cremation Partner: Your pet will be entrusted to our trusted partner, Faithful Companion, who specializes in respectful and dignified pet aftercare.

• Return of Ashes: Faithful Companion will complete the cremation and then return their ashes directly to your home within a couple of days.

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Aftercare Options: Communal Cremation

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Communal cremation involves the respectful cremation of multiple pets together. In this option, the ashes are not returned. Instead, they are scattered in a designated area as a respectful final resting place. Communal cremation offers a collective sense of honor and remembrance for multiple pets who have shared in the loving care of their families.