FAQs

The goal of pet hospice is to provide comfort and supportive care for pets diagnosed with terminal or chronic medical conditions as well as provide emotional support for clients during this challenging time. It is about taking advantage of every second that remains and assisting your pet in living that time to its fullest. Pet hospice is a wonderful way for owners to actively participate in the decision-making of their pet’s care while giving them time to prepare for and plan their beloved pet’s peaceful passing, whether it be natural or assisted via euthanasia. Owners can make informed decisions regarding their pet’s care and passing using tools such as daily quality-of-life assessments, pain scoring, and guidance from the veterinary care team. We will also give you the confidence you will need to provide care for your pet when we are unable to be present.

Services Include (but are not limited to):

• Detailed Consultation
• Wound Care and Bandaging
• Complete Physical Exam
• Environmental Evaluation and Guidance
• Pain Assessment and Treatment Plan
• Mobility and Hygiene Recommendations
• Fluid Therapy
• Nutritional Counseling
• Review of Home Care Routines
• Grief Support

Common conditions of pets undergoing hospice care:

• Any Chronic Disease Affecting Quality of Life
• Incurable Organ Failure
• Terminal Cancer
• Advanced Osteoarthritis
• Neurological Conditions, including Dementia
• Senior Pets Reaching End of Life

We are here to help and support you when your pet passes.

Many people wonder what to do when their pet passes, especially if they have a larger animal and are unable to perform an at-home burial. We can provide a list of reputable pet crematories for you to choose from. Some of these companies will come to pick up your pet for gentle and respectful transportation to a crematory for private or communal cremation. Depending on which crematorium you choose, you may have to transport your pet there yourself, which would give you the opportunity to tour the facility.

When your pet passes, you are not focused on what must be done next. Our goal is to make this terribly difficult time as easy as possible for your family. We also help many families through hospice so that their pets can pass naturally when ready without having to be euthanized. When a pet passes naturally, it is a much slower process than euthanasia. There are changes that occur even three months out that will alert you to the fact that the end may be near. Some of the things you should be watching for include weight loss, less attention to grooming, and increased dehydration. There are many more signs that you can read about here. If supported through in-home hospice care, a natural death can occur with dignity and grace and may be the best choice for your family and your pet.

Losing a pet is never easy. Many owners put off the decision to euthanize in hopes that their pets will pass on their own. Dogs and cats are very stoic and great at hiding signs of pain, and we usually don’t discover their discomfort for quite some time. Unfortunately, dying naturally is often preceded by long periods of anxiety and suffering. When your pet’s quality of life has diminished to the point where they are no longer living a life that they were once enjoying, making the decision to euthanize is a kind way to end your pet’s suffering. Compassionate euthanasia is one of the greatest gifts we can give our beloved pets. Pets that are being treated in hospice can be assisted to die naturally with acceptable amounts of pain control that pets at home without hospice care would not have access to. The important thing to remember is that we do not want pets to suffer needlessly, and we need to continue to evaluate their quality of life and intervene before they have too many more bad days than good.

No one knows better than you do. We are here to offer guidance but ultimately leave the decision up to the pet parent. Our doctors are firm believers in the quality of life over quantity. Please review the Quality-of-Life Assessment Resources page and feel free to call or email if you need more help making an informed decision.

Providing in-home euthanasia is invaluable. Many pets find it stressful, painful, and frightening to travel to a hospital in the last moments of life. I don’t think there is a better way to pass than peacefully in the comfort and privacy of your own home, surrounded by your loved ones. Most pet owners who experience in-home euthanasia say they would never do it any other way. They are able to say goodbye to their beloved pet in their homes, surrounded by familiar things. Families and their pets are much more comfortable in their home setting.

Yes. We encourage you and anyone else to be with your pet during their final moments. However, if you are overcome with grief, it is ok to leave the room if you prefer.

If you must cancel your appointment with us, we ask that you please give us at least 2-hours notice. For both consultation and euthanasia appointments, there will be a $50-100 fee for a cancellation made within 1 hour of the appointment (based on time and distance traveled). We will take special circumstances into consideration. Please make every attempt to speak with us directly when trying to cancel. Voicemail cancellations may not be received in a timely manner.

Our doctor often travels up to 60 minutes or more for an appointment. If you cancel the same day as your appointment, the doctor may already be well on the way to your home. This fee covers the transportation costs and time accrued by the doctor.

Short notice cancellations also limit our ability to help another family. Please understand that this fee system is necessary for Caring Hands Pet Hospice to continue providing excellent and reliable care.

We kindly reserve the right to charge the $50-100 fee to any credit card on hold from the original appointment, or a bill may be sent for collection.

If the cancellation is due to the natural death of the pet during normal business hours, this fee will not be applied. What we offer in these situations, the family is issued a refund or offered to make a donation to Caring Rainbow in honor of their pet.

We want our families to know that they are free to practice any ceremonies or rituals in our presence. Our doctor is open to all spiritual practices and welcomes the opportunity to be involved and learn something new. Please let us know if you have any specific requests that we can accommodate.

We welcome anyone that wants to be present for the passing of a beloved pet, including young children. Depending on age, it is often recommended to leave the decision up to the child if they want to be present for part of or throughout the entire process.

Just like adults, children will often grieve the loss of a beloved pet. Choosing to be present during your pet’s passing may be an important part of that grieving process, allowing your child to say goodbye in their own way. Please visit our Pet Loss Resources page for more information as well as the client handout available on our website.

As mentioned above, anyone is welcome that wants to be present for the passing of a beloved pet, including other family pets. Our goal throughout the appointment is to maintain a peaceful, calm, and comforting setting.

It is better for some pets to be kept out of the room during the euthanasia procedure. Upset or disruptive pets may be brought in afterward to view the body – a very important part of the mourning process.

Our doctors will do their part to help keep the setting calm and will only ask for another pet to be excused if absolutely necessary.

We would love for you to post pictures and stories in memory of your pet on our website or Facebook page. On our website, go to the In Remembrance Page and share your memories in the text box provided. On Facebook, go to the Caring Hands Pet Hospice page and simply “Share Photo.” Then you can post a photo as well as any story or memory of your beloved pet.