Regularly I am asked this question so I wanted to address it on my blog knowing that it is a sensitive topic. I have practiced at both an animal hospital and my mobile service that provides home euthanasia for dogs and cats in the Triangle and surrounding areas. I feel that both of my unique professional experiences gives me good insight on this issue.
My house call visits typically last on average around 2 hours. This can vary depending on how much the pet parents and I talk, and the overall experience that the family is wanting. I am trained in pet loss guidance and I like to spend the first part of the visit just talking and getting to know the pet and the pet parents as well as going over the procedure in detail and answering any questions. My goal is to have the family feel as comfortable as possible. With my mobile veterinary service I never overbook myself. When I show up to help a family I am 100% focused on their needs and the needs of the pet. If the family chooses to, I also take care of all the aftercare arrangements including meeting with the crematorium provider after the in-home appointment.
Hospitals are often loud and busy places. Typically the clinician is handling multiple fur babies and has much less time to meet with the families and discuss the procedure or offer pet loss guidance. I know from speaking with families who decided to say goodbye to their beloved pet in hospitals that they often felt rushed to say goodbye and wished they had chosen a more intimate setting. I know from the experience of working in both practices that in-home euthanasia is not for everyone, just as saying goodbye within a hospital setting is not for everyone. Cost does play a role in whether some families decide to say goodbye to their pets at home. I’m proud to offer a compassionate alternative to pet parents so they have more choices when it is time to say goodbye.