FAQ's About In-Home Cat
Euthanasia
Eventually the time comes to say goodbye to a beloved Cat. This difficult
time can prompt many questions and concerns. We dedicate this section to
answering some of those commonly asked questions, and to hopefully provide you
with some peace of mind. Please contact us if you have additional
questions.
- It is our commitment
to make euthanasia as stress-free and painless as possible. A potent sedative
and pain medication is administered in a single injection. Within 5-10 minutes,
the medication takes effect and the cat is relaxed and comfortable; most cats
will be completely sedated and non-responsive at that point. When the cat and
their family are ready, a concentrated euthanasia solution is administered in a
completely painless intravenous injection. Within a minute or two after the
euthanasia solution is given, your cat will peacefully and quietly pass away.
Most home euthanasias will range from 30-60 minutes from our entry into the home
until our exit.
Please note that we feel it is important to give cats
and their owners as much time as they need during this very emotional and
difficult time. While occasionally we sense and respect that some owners'
preference is to complete the procedure expeditiously, we carefully evaluate the
family's comfort level at each step of this process, and are prepared to take as
much time as is needed so that no one ever feels that they are rushed to say
goodbye.
All euthanasia procedures are done by a veterinarian. In-home
euthanasia may only be performed by a licensed veterinarian with a current DEA
license.
- We can transport your
cat back to the clinic where we will arrange a private cremation with Immediate
Animal Services where your cat's ashes are returned to you personally in 24 to
48 hours. We can also have your cat mass-cremated. You may also keep it for
burial if your county allows it.
- Yes. Dr. Rowell is a
veterinarian with over 25 years of experience. She has treated many elderly and
terminally ill cats. She will visit you in your home, meet your cat, and provide
you with a professional opinion on the right timing for euthanasia. The cost for
this consultation is $125.00.
- While this decision is
up to you and your family, we definitely allow other cats to be present at the
time. Other cats will usually be more interested in us and our equipment. Once
the excitement of our arrival wears down, most cats will settle down nearby but
not necessarily right next to the patient. After we have performed euthanasia on
the patient, we do allow other cats to approach the body and sniff around. Some
cats will, and some won't. And that is okay.
- Yes. We do offer the service of euthanasia only
without any aftercare.
- Individuals must check with their individual
county to make sure burials of pets are allowed.
- Twenty-four to
forty-eight hours' notice is greatly
appreciated as it helps us serve you and your pet closer to the time you desire.
We do get booked ahead of time and, occasionally, may be booked on a particular
day/time. However, we will make every effort to accommodate you and your
schedule.
- Yes, we work when you need us, even during all
major holidays and on weekends.
- Yes. Evening appointments
are available. We do charge an after hours/emergency fee of $100 for
appointments needed after 8 p.m.
- Yes, we do offer this service. We can also arrange
private cremation and you can have the ashes delivered back to you. We can
discuss the pick-up fee with you.
- Choosing the time to
say good-bye to a pet can be a heart-breaking experience, often accompanied by
feelings of guilt. There is no formula or precise calculation that can
determine exactly when this should be done; the best way to make this decision
is to consult with your regular veterinarian who will evaluate your pet's
medical history, physical condition and prognosis. Most pet owners know their
pets so intuitively that they develop an uncanny sense to know when it is the
right time for themselves, and especially for their pets. Please feel free to
contact us if you require some guidance about making this important
decision.
.
Usually the decision to euthanize has been made because of
medical evaluations and tests done by your family veterinarian. He or she will
inform you of the common symptoms that appear in many chronic or terminal
illnesses. Some common signs are:
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1. Does my pet eat?
Dramatic change in appetite or drinking.
2. Is my pet in
pain?
3. Does the pain go
away with pain medication?
4. Can my pet walk?
Can my pet support his/her own weight?
5. Is my pet
capable of relieving him/herself on his/her
own?
6. Have you been
finding your pet in unusual places, or
shivering?
7. Has my pet been
diagnosed with a terminal condition?
8. Does my
veterinarian think my pet has a reasonable chance for
recovery?
9. What is my
veterinarian's opinion on my pet's quality of
life?
10. Can I
provide/afford to provide the necessary level of care? |
- Options include burial
in a cemetery or at home, and private or communal cremation. We can assist you
in making the right choice for your family, and will transport the remains for
cremation whenever requested. We will discuss aftercare options when making the
appointment.
- Please contact us
regarding costs as they depend on factors such as size of your pet, distance
traveled, and special arrangements chosen.
Payment can be made by cash,
check, VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American Express or
Paypal.
- For fastest response, please call 404.908.2725 to make an appointment. You may also use the form
on the Contact page to email correspondence and/or an appointment request.
Email may also be sent directly to SayingGoodbyeToMyPet@gmail.com.
- One of the most difficult things about owning a
pet is facing the end of her life. Dogs and cats do not live as long as we do,
so we end up dealing with the death of our best furry friends throughout our
lives. To help ease the trauma of the loss, I provide at-home euthanasia
services for dogs and cats. Being at home with your pet at the end of her life
is far more soothing than going to a busy veterinary clinic, where you have to
witness the stress your pet goes through in that environment. At-home
euthanasia is a quiet peaceful time for you to be with your pet during his or
her last moments. I don't rush my clients and allow them ample time to spend
with their beloved pet before the actual euthanasia takes place. All pets are
given a sedative to relax them before the euthanasia solution is given, and
owners have those last few minutes to say goodbye. Owners are free to express
their feelings in the privacy of their own homes, where they are surrounded with
the compassion and empathy that I have to offer. Owners have the option of
burying the pet themselves or I can handle the cremation arrangements. In
certain situations, at-home euthanasia is the best gift you can ever give your
pet, where sge can pass on surrounded by your love and the comfort of her home
environment.
- Small pets nestle in the front passenger seat and
larger pets rest in the back cargo area of an unmarked SUV or minivan. Your
pet's gently wrapped body is transported directly from your home to our clinic.
Your pet's individual ashes can be returned to your home or to our
clinic.
- Many people have this concern. We have
interviewed, researched, and probed every cremation service in the area. We've
also been attentive to word-of-mouth referrals. Because euthanasia is our
specialty, we are in the cremation facility almost every day making sure pets
are gently handled in cushioned beds as if they were our own sleeping souls.
Private cremation means your pet is cremated by herself, thus her ashes alone
are saved for you. For those who prefer to keep photos and other memories
instead of ashes, their pets are cremated in a group and their ashes are
respectfully scattered over private land.
- Honesty is what kids deserve when facing the
death of a pet. When they know how and why their pet died, it eliminates years
of asking questions. So include your children in family discussions about how
lucky we are to be able to relieve our pet's suffering. Our pets are family
members, thus the entire family should be there, supporting the pet and each
other. Most kids need and want to say good-bye. Even very young children can be
present when a pet dies and view the body. The family can cry and grieve
together.
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