Humane Euthanasia:
During those difficult moments when you know it is time to say goodbye to your pet, Mountain View Animal Emergency (MVAE) is here to perform humane euthanasia. We understand how difficult these decisions are and that each scenario is unique to each family. MVAE strives to provide the appropriate privacy and time needed for each individual case. Humane euthanasia is an option to help your pet pass in a tranquil and controlled manner. Our goal is to make this process as peaceful and pain-free as possible.
When do you know the time is right?
Making the choice to humanely euthanize is unique to every family. It can range from a single reason to a multitude of reasons. Regardless of those reasons, this decision is highly personal. The family can be left with intense feelings before, during, and after the procedure; therefore, your pet’s quality of life should be paramount. MVAE’s veterinarians and staff can help discuss your pet’s condition to help answer any questions. MVAE can also supply a quality of life assessment scale for you to fill out to help you with this decision.
What can you bring with you?
We encourage you to bring the comforts of home with you and your pet. This includes the pet’s bedding, favorite toys, tasty treats, and/or easy listening music. You are also welcome to bring digital devices to FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, or video chat with family and friends that cannot be present for the procedure. Our goal is to allow you and your pet to be as comfortable and peaceful during these precious moments.
Can you be present?
You will have the option to be present for the procedure or not. If you chose to be present, an intravenous catheter will be placed in your pet’s vessel for the doctor to use during the procedure. If you chose not to be present, this step can be skipped while you visit with your pet. There is also the option for you to be with your pet during the sedation step of the procedure, but then you can leave before the humane euthanasia event. Regardless of your decision, you and your pet will be treated with compassion and dignity.
What to expect?
This process involves placing you and your pet in a private room where the appropriate conversations and paperwork will be performed. MVAE’s staff will walk you through the process and will never rush this difficult moment in your life. The pace of this visit will be decided by you and your pet. When you are comfortable with moving forward with the procedure, medications can be administered to create a deep sedation for your pet. They will go into a deep sleep at this stage. After this sedation is achieved, then the final humane euthanasia solution will be administered which allows for your pet to pass peacefully.
You are welcome to take any of your pet’s belongings with you before you leave. You can request to take home a clipping of hair from your pet and/or ink paw print to be performed by our staff after your pet has passed, which can be mailed to you. Before leaving, you will receive a support folder that contains information on pet loss, grief, a list of pet loss books for all ages, support groups and hotlines, Journey aftercare information, and a wallet card that offers support. Additionally, you will receive your invoice and receipt in this folder.
What are your aftercare options?
You will have the option to take your pet’s body home or to have cremation services performed through Journey Pet Services. If you chose to take your pet’s body home, you have the option to have the body placed in a blue canvas carry bag or you can purchase a cardboard coffin for smaller pets. To ensure your privacy is upheld, we will ask you to drive to the side of the building to pick up your pet.
Both the humane euthanasia and cremation service are charged based on your pet’s weight. Journey offers both communal and private cremation. These prices can be reviewed with you once an accurate weight has been obtained at MVAE. You have the option to “HOLD” your pet’s body at MVAE for no longer than one week at the charge of communal cremation. This amount will be refunded once you pick up your pet’s body. Further information for aftercare can be found in the links below.
How to cope with the loss of a pet?
Losing a pet can create feelings of grief like losing a close family member or friend. This is a normal response, which you should not disregard. The healthiest way to address these feelings are to acknowledge them, allow yourself to grieve, memorialize and celebrate your pet, have a keepsake as a reminder, and seek support from others who are able to provide comfort. Remember you do not need to feel alone through this process.
Additional links:
“Quality of Life Scale”: The purpose of this document is to help provide education and insight into you and your pet’s specific scenario, and may provide awareness to help with the decision to humanely euthanize or not.
“Burial By-Laws”: Provides information for those who want to bury their pet at home according to specific local state laws.
Coping With The Loss of A Companion – Animal
Pet Loss Support Groups, Hotlines, Books, and Other Resource List
