Overview

Euthanasia is commonly referred to as “putting down” or “putting to sleep”. This is a very hard decision many pet owners must make at the last stage of their pet’s life.

Why euthanasia?

Just as we all age, so do our beloved pets. As much as we would love for all of our pets to be in our lives forever, there comes a time to say goodbye. Euthanasia offers a peaceful, controlled option for the end of our pet's life. Based on your pet's quality of life, euthanasia may be something to consider.

When is the time right?

Knowing when the time is right can be a difficult choice. There are many factors that go into deciding to euthanize an animal, and it is a personal issue that differs from pet owner to pet owner. Your top concern should be about your pet’s quality of life, difficulties that come with old age, and the pain they may be suffering. Below there are two assessments that may help see when it could be considered the 'best' time for a number of reasons.

Quality of Life- Daily Assesment

Quality of Life Scale

What should I expect?

Our euthanasia process is designed to be as peaceful as possible. Once you and the doctor have determined that this is the best choice, your pet will have a drug administered that results in deep sedation. During the time it takes to reach this state, you and your family may remain with your pet. It is a quiet few minutes of saying goodbye. You may also choose to leave at this point, having bid your pet farewell, taking comfort in knowing it was calm and pain free.

Compassionate Euthanasia

Losing a pet is one of the most difficult things a person can experience. Whether the decision to say goodbye to a pet is sudden or something you’ve anticipated for weeks or months, it’s a highly emotional time.

We welcome and encourage owners to stay with their pet during this process. At this time, we offer a couple of different options for families when saying goodbye to their pet:

• We are allowing family inside the building to say goodbye.

• We also have an outdoor garden behind our building. This is a great option for our canine friends.

Please reach out to our staff for any further information. Greif recourses are always available upon request.

How should I get more information or ask for help?

Our veterinarians are available to discuss your options. They are very familiar with the experience, and are able to talk about the process and the feelings that come with it. Please make an appointment or contact us for information on options, timelines, and references for support through the grieving process.