Frequently Asked Questions

Every pet and family is different. What to watch for: a pet who is shrinking their world: sleeping in a new spot, skipping meals for the third night in a row, stopping at the end of the driveway instead of going further. Significant mobility issues, difficulty breathing, or withdrawing from the family are all signs that quality of life may have shifted.

Once you have a question or a doubt, that's enough reason to call us. Our veterinarians are here to help you understand what your pet is experiencing, and to walk alongside your family in making a decision you feel at peace with.

When the time comes to make the difficult decision to euthanize a pet, there are often associated stressors that can be avoided when a pet is able to remain in a familiar and comfortable space. Concerns include anxiety from visiting the animal hospital: there are a multitude of unfamiliar smells and sounds, and the pet could associate the building with previous visits.

A pet could also suffer from significant mobility issues, increased nausea, or an upset stomach that traveling in a car can certainly exacerbate. Choosing an in-home euthanasia also allows family members, including children and other pets, to be present in larger, more comfortable spaces.

We specialize specifically in these visits and are dedicated to offering the time your family needs while preserving your loved one's dignity and peace as much as possible. Your home can be a beautiful place to create loving memories with your pet at the end of their life.

Absolutely. We welcome families to spend time with their loved one during the entire euthanasia process, and we design our visit to best accommodate families. A euthanasia appointment will typically take between 45 minutes to an hour. The veterinarian will take their time with your loved one, discuss any questions, and walk through the process with the family.

Depending on what your pet needs to ensure comfort, the actual euthanasia process may only take 10 to 15 minutes. Not every family member may want to be present for every step. If that is the case, please voice your concerns or needs on the phone or at the appointment with the veterinarian.

For both Quality of Life Assessment and End-of-Life services, it is important to consider spaces that are comfortable for your pet and the family to gather. The veterinarian will need to perform an examination but can adapt easily to most environments.

For euthanasia services, consider spaces in the home or outside where you can make this a beautiful memory: your loved one's special place in the yard or a favorite room in the house. Some families choose to have special music played, poems read, prayers said, or specific scents or candles involved.

In addition, consider silencing home phones and putting cell phones away unless being used for pictures, video, or specific family communication.

No. Our veterinarian will take the time to get to know you and your pet through conversation and a physical examination during the appointment itself. You know your pet better than anyone. We are there to support your family, confirm your understanding of their condition, and walk alongside you in offering this final act of love. You are their best advocate, and we are here to back you up.

Families often carry the weight of this decision for weeks or months before reaching out. We understand. We work hard to accommodate your family's needs as quickly as possible, and we typically have availability within one to two days. If your pet's condition feels urgent, please call us directly.

If you're unsure about timing, a Quality of Life Consultation is a gentle place to start. Our veterinarian will come to your home, assess your pet's condition, talk through your concerns, and help you understand your options, without any pressure to make a decision on the spot.

A consultation with our veterinary paraprofessional care team is an opportunity to learn more about how your pet is currently doing and to help guide and support you as you navigate this tough choice. We will connect you with one of our trusted veterinarians, who will assess your loved one's quality of life and work with your family to determine whether to pursue hospice care with your family veterinarian or euthanasia at home.

You can request a free consultation by calling our Care Team directly at 863.225.4263, or by completing our online consultation form and we will call you back to discuss your pet and potentially schedule an in-home appointment.

Sometimes, a pet declines too quickly and needs services overnight. We understand your desire to create a loving memory in your pet's home; however, it may not be in the best interest of your pet or family to wait. If your pet is having a health crisis or is in any sudden increased pain or distress, it is wise to seek out emergency veterinary services. At this time, we do not offer overnight appointments.

Unfortunately, we can never predict when a pet is going to pass. If they happen to die in the middle of the night or before your scheduled appointment, please reach out and let us know how we can support you. There are no fees associated with this specific cancellation. If your scheduled visit was paid for in advance, a refund will be processed.

If you desire to continue your loved one's body care and aftercare through us, we will be able to transport your pet for just the cremation service fee(s). There is also a possibility to reach out directly to the cremation service for an at-home visit to transport your pet.

Every family is different, and it needs to be the parent's or guardian's decision to have children present. Children may even ask to be present, and most of the time it would be an appropriate consideration. Clear and honest communication, adapted to that child's developmental level, about what is happening to their pet is important.

Try to avoid phrases such as "putting to sleep" or "passing on" with children, as this can add confusion. Small children may be OK to be present as they can add comfort for others; however, consider an activity or coloring book to help prevent significant distraction. Do not hesitate to ask us for specific book recommendations. Our veterinary team is more than willing to offer guidance and is trained to speak with all members of the family.

In many households, children have an extra special bond with their companion animals. A child's understanding of death changes as they mature, both in their understanding of the concept and permanence of death, and in their response to grief and accompanying emotions.

• It helps to allow our children to see our own big emotions and how we process them. They are learning what it means to grieve and work through big feelings.
• Be honest. Patiently answer questions they ask. The younger the child, the simpler the answer will be. Avoid confusing medical terminology.
• Be clear. Remember that children are trying to connect dots in their own lives. For example, use the full name of a diagnosis rather than vague terms.

Parents can also support their children by sharing the news of this death with their teacher. Young children tend to show with their behavior that something is off, and giving a heads up to the teacher is often beneficial for all.

There is evidence that other pets benefit from being present during a housemate's euthanasia, as it can offer clear closure and help with their grieving process. You may even recognize that the other pet's grieving process begins prior to any appointment, as interactions and dynamics can change when a pet is coming to the end of their life.

It is important to consider, however, whether they will be a distraction to the family, veterinarian, or patient. Our main goal is to serve our patient and their family. Overly energetic, anxious, or aggressive pets may greatly affect how we can best help our patient at this delicate time.

Video chat has also become a popular way of still sharing the experience with others who cannot be physically present. Some people choose to record videos or audio messages to be played at the right time for the rest of the family and pets.

This is a common question. The responses of packmates to the death and disappearance of a companion can be varied, just as human responses are varied. A great deal can depend on the role your dearly departed played within the pack. If they were the alpha, there will be a reshuffling of roles and responsibilities within their unit.

Pay close attention to your remaining pets. If you notice a lack of appetite, decreased energy, lethargy, or hesitation to do the things that brought them joy, talk to your general practice veterinarian for thoughts and opinions on whether your current pack should be evaluated.

We welcome families to spend time with their loved one during the entire euthanasia process, and we design our visit to best accommodate families. Time with your pet is precious, and we have no desire to interfere with that.

We understand it can be difficult to coordinate the presence of everyone in the family, and waiting is not always the best for your pet if they are in pain or distress. Video chat has become a popular way of sharing the experience with others who are not physically present. Some families choose to record video or take pictures to best memorialize the experience for those who could not be there.

End-of-life activities can be tailored to the abilities of your loved one. Start by making a list of their favorite things, gather input from humans that are important to them, and bring several (or all) of the ideas to fruition.

Scheduling a senior photo shoot, taking a trip to their favorite park (even if they are riding in a wagon), setting up a snack bar with their favorite treats, and watching a movie together are just a few suggestions. Try not to put a large amount of pressure on yourself to fulfill every item on the list. The goal is to make more memories while keeping your pet happy and comfortable.

Euthanasia appointments and Quality of Life assessments are designed to offer the appropriate amount of time for your family. Aftercare for your beloved pet's body includes private cremation, a wooden urn, a unique pawprint, fur clipping, and a certificate of cremation. If a home burial is appropriate for your area and you prefer to leave the aftercare to your family, there is no additional charge.

Please see our Services page for full pricing information. Please note there may be an additional travel fee for locations outside of the designated service area.

Most families choose to finalize payment prior to the veterinarian coming to their house so they may focus completely on their loved one and be fully present for their appointment. We encourage this option even if additional decisions have not been made, such as aftercare or moving forward with euthanasia. We can adjust any additional requests during the appointment if necessary, and it is easier for you to move through payment if the process has already been initiated.

That said, we also offer finalizing payment during the veterinarian's visit, and full payment can be made at your home.

We accept all major credit cards.

"Aftercare" encompasses the different ways in which a pet's body can be cared for after euthanasia. If you are unfamiliar with options or undecided about your pet's aftercare, we recommend cremation services and offer to coordinate that for you with our trusted crematory partner. To preserve the dignity of your loved one, we only offer private cremation.

Private cremation ensures that your pet is completely separated from others and your loved one's cremains (ashes) are returned to you in a tasteful wooden urn. If you choose not to receive your pet's cremains, they will be spread lovingly with other pets at an off-site location.

If your family would like to keep your pet's body for home or property burial, this is an additional option. You will need to ensure that it is appropriate for your area or city. Euthanasia services use medications that can be detrimental to the environment, and we want to be responsible stewards.

We are confident that the cremains you receive belong to your loved one. Loved only partners with trusted local crematories that meet IAOPCC standards for operating pet aftercare memorial centers. Our team visits these facilities personally and frequently to ensure that all deceased pets are treated with dignity throughout the process.

Additionally, the crematory has an identification process that originates with our veterinary team and tracks your pet through the entire cremation process, which includes all written instructions for aftercare. This tagging system provides transparency and accountability to our families.

Losing a loved one is difficult whether it was expected or due to sudden illness. Every family is different in how they feel it best to memorialize their sweet pet. Celebration of life services and anniversary gatherings are common ways to keep their memories alive. Obituaries can be submitted to memorial pages in newspapers or websites. Artistic works of a pet or pawprint displays are beautiful ways to display memories in a family's home.

Making a donation in the pet's name is also a wonderful way to honor your bond and "pay it forward" in a uniquely meaningful way.

Anticipatory grief tends to sneak up on us. It typically occurs after the initial shock of an unexpected diagnosis, discussions with medical team members around treatment options or comfort care, and after discussions with family members and friends. This is when we finally allow our brains to wonder and arrive at the realization that this is our faithful companion's final everything: holidays, celebrations, seasons, quiet bonding moments.

This tends to be a powerful set of thoughts and a real phenomenon. Acknowledge when you feel these thoughts surface. Try to make plans for the near future. Make more memories and take time to talk to them and thank them for their unconditional love.

Anyone who sees their pet as a best friend, loyal companion, or family member understands the pain, range of emotions, and difficulty of that loss.

Loved is honored to provide complimentary online grief support group sessions conducted by licensed clinical and veterinary social worker Francesca Tocco, LCSW, LMSW-C. These sessions are held regularly for our clients as well as the broader community. To register for an upcoming pet loss support session, please visit our Grief Support page.

Loved also provides written grief support resources and access to other in-person services to support all members of the family, at all stages of their grief.

Grief is a natural response to the loss of something or someone that is important to us. Whether that's the death of a loved one, the ending of a partnership, or the loss of a physical item of importance, grief is rarely black or white. Often grief and the accompanying emotions are wavering in a sea of grey. It's what we do with the grief and how we process the waves of big emotions that will make all of the difference.

There are several academic models to outline grief. The most common fallacy is that we can master grief if we follow a set of exact steps, or if our emotions move from one stage to the next in a certain order. This is untrue. The authors of these models never intended for grief to be linear.

Grief and the processing of our emotions feels like a dance. We sway from one emotional experience to another and back again, several times over. The goals of grief are to allow ourselves to experience our emotions and to find an enduring connection to the memory and life lessons our loved ones taught us while they were still living. There are no right or wrong ways to grieve; there are healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Have you ever had someone share with you that they weren't sure who was safe to tell about the loss of their pet? The inability to process our emotions related to death can hamper our progress with grieving.

"Disenfranchised grief refers to a loss that's not openly acknowledged, socially mourned or publicly supported." Dr. Kenneth Doka, PhD, who created the term in 1989. This can be applied to different losses, with divorce and pet death being common examples.

We've had many people share with us that they didn't know who in their immediate circle they could turn to for fear of judgement. Grief and loss resources exist. You are not alone.

Nothing is wrong with you. Each relationship in our lives is unique, and our response to a loss depends on a whole host of factors: what role did they play in our lives, how often did we interact, what masks did we have to wear, what other events were occurring at the same time?

The intensity of your grief response will be partially dependent on the role your loved one played in your life and the environment you find yourself in while processing their death. Our support team members have heard similar statements throughout their careers in veterinary medicine, often whispered in hushed tones. Be kind to yourself. Give yourself grace. No matter the species, you had a special and strong bond with this living being.

Guilt is one of the most common things we hear families carry. No one should have to apologize to their pet, but so many do. Here's what we know: you made the best decision you could with the information you had. You reached out. You showed up. That is an act of love, not failure.

In those hard moments, try to hold what you did right, not what you wish you'd done differently. Our grief support team is here for exactly this kind of conversation. Processing the guilt that comes with end-of-life decisions is part of the journey, and you don't have to do it alone.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve. There are healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms, but there is no appropriate or inappropriate length of time for processing grief. Grief is a universal emotion. The bereavement journey after a death is unique for each loss we experience. The amount of time, the emotions felt, the symptoms (mental and physical) that we feel can change based on our bond to the deceased.

Closure is a very personal definition. What we hope for you to find, with time and work around processing your emotions, is that you reach a point where happy times, bonding moments, silly stories, and life lessons surface with more frequency and ease of recall than you think of the illness progression and any final struggles.

With time, the idea of "closure" tends to help sand down the rougher edges and allow us space to find a way to memorialize our loved ones and bring them forward with us into new life chapters. This is where we adjust to an environment without their physical presence but maintain an enduring connection to their special role in our lives.

What brings comfort to an individual who is grieving will vary based on their personal journey and connection to the deceased. Here are some generalized ideas:

What NOT to say:

• "It was only a dog/cat."
• "The shelters are full, go adopt a new pet."
• "It's not like they were a human."
• "If I can do anything, please reach out." (The bereaved rarely take this up as it can feel extremely broad and overwhelming.)

Ideas to SUPPORT them:

• Ask "How can I best support you?"
• "Do you have a shopping list? I can do your grocery run this week."
• "Could I help take care of your other pets?"
• Offer to listen to stories and look at photos.
• Offer to print out their favorite photos and return them in a nice frame.
• Offer to plant a rose bush or tree in memory of their loved one.
• Give the gift of silence. Sit with them so they aren't alone.
• Make a donation to a charity that resonates with them.