What to Expect:
In-Home Euthanasia Visit
We understand that saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the most difficult moments a family can face. Our goal is to make this experience as peaceful, gentle, and supportive as possible for both you and your pet to allow for the most comfortable, loving farewell.
The following is detailed information on what to expect. Some people find comfort in having this knowledge beforehand, while others may find it overwhelming. Please know that you are not required to have read this page and that we will discuss everything included below during our consultation.
Scheduling Your Visit
Form Completion
When you're ready, you are invited to complete and submit the End-of-Life Care Request Form found on the Contact Us page (or click here). This form will give us all the information we need to create a medical record for your pet as well as prepare an estimate for our in-home services.
Note: There is a space at the bottom of the form for you to tell us about your pet. Please feel free to use this space to let us know if you feel your pet may benefit from pre-visit anti-anxiety/calming medications. These medications can be very beneficial for making the visit more peaceful for scared, reactive, or aggressive pets. Our veterinarian can have a prescription called in to your regular veterinary clinic or personal pharmacy for ease of pick up.
Consultation and Booking
Once your form has been received, our team will be in touch with you within 48 hours. (If you have an emergency or feel your pet needs to be seen urgently, please contact your regular veterinarian or seek emergency veterinary services such as Coastal Care or Maritime Vet.) We will contact you to provide an estimate, answer any questions you may have, and book the appointment. This consultation can be done by either e-mail or phone call.
After the visit has been scheduled, a Euthanasia Consent Form will be e-mailed to you to view before the appointment date. This will allow you to read and absorb the information ahead of time, so that on the day of the visit, you can simply sign a paper copy. The goal is to minimize stress and additional tasks on an already overwhelming day. Also, many clients find it beneficial to pay for the appointment ahead of time, and we do recommend this to once again reduce the number of things you need to think about and to allow you to focus all your attention on your pet. At this time, payments can be made by e-stransfer to heartsathome@gmail.com or via cash. (Note: Annapolis Animal Hospital clients are required to prepay AAH in person, online, or by phone. Credit/debit cards, etransfer, and cash are all accepted by AAH.)
The Visit
Preparation
We recommend that dogs have had the opportunity to relieve themselves before the appointment to allow for their best comfort and aftercare cleanliness. We recommend that cats are already in a room/space that prevents them from accessing hiding spots. (Even cats that have spent the last six months sleeping in the same spot may go into hiding when they notice someone new come into their home.) Think ahead about a comfortable place you would like your pet to be for the procedure (such as a favourite pet bed).
Introduction and Assessment
When we arrive at your home, we will take the time to gently introduce ourselves to you and your pet. We will assess your pet's condition and discuss the euthanasia procedure with you. Please take this time to ask any questions you may have.
Sedation
Once everyone is comfortable, your pet will receive a sedative injection to help them relax and fall into a deep, comfortable sleep. This sedation ensures your pet is free from anxiety and stress as we move forward and it also offers relief from pain. In some cases, the pain relief makes pets a bit more active due to improved comfort, but before long they will relax into sedation. Some animals, especially small dogs, pets that have not been eating, or those with neurological conditions, will react to the sedative injection. They may yelp, cry, or jump. While we will always to our best to minimize stress and anxiety for you and your pet, some reactions are not predictable. Please find comfort in knowing that this brief moment of discomfort for your pet will allow for a truly relaxed and pain-free passing.
Euthanasia
We want you to take all the time that you need with your pet as they become relaxed and drowsy. Once they are peacefully dreaming, and when you are ready, we will proceed with the euthanasia injection. This medication is an overdose of anesthesia and it is painless. You are welcome to remain as close as you wish to your pet throughout the procedure. Hearing is believed to be the last of the senses to remain, so please feel free to comfort and talk to your pet as much as you like during this process.
Confirmation of Passing
After the final injection is completed, our veterinarian will use a stethoscope to assess your pet's heartbeat. With some routes of euthanasia, passing is a very quick process. With other routes of administration, or depending on your pet's medical condition, passing may occur over several minutes. Our veterinarian will be there with you and your pet every step of the way, and they will advise you when your pet has completed their peaceful transition of passing.
Afterward
Your pet's body will relax completely after passing. This can include relaxing of the bowels and bladder. (Allowing your pet to urinate and defecate before the appointment can be helpful. You may also wish to have a blanket or towel underneath them after they are sedated as a precaution.) The relaxed state of the eyes is typically open, but you can help gently close them after passing, if you wish. You may see last breaths or twitches even moments later; these are normal bodily functions after passing. If you have any questions during or after your pet's transition, please do not hesitate to ask. We want you to have full clarity and comfort at all times.
Aftercare
There are three options for aftercare of your pet:
1. Home burial
Please comply with all local laws and regulations. Pet euthanasia is performed using a barbiturate medication, and therefore burial should occur at least six (6) feet underground to prevent exposure to people, wildlife, or water sources.
2. Communal cremation – Ashes not returned
Your pet is cremated together with other beloved pets. While ashes are not returned to families, each pet is treated with the same dignity and respect. This is typically a more affordable option for cremation.
3. Private Cremation – Ashes returned
Your pet is cremated individually with dignity and care. Their ashes are returned to you, allowing you to keep them in a special place or memorialize them in a way that feels meaningful.
At this time, Hearts at Home can help coordinate aftercare arrangements for your pet through the Paws in Paradise Pet Cremation (https://paradisepetcremation.com), which offers sensitive, compassionate, and competent aftercare. We can assist in arranging for pick-up by Paws in Paradise after euthanasia, or you can make arrangements with them to bring your beloved pet to their location in Paradise, NS. If you strongly prefer for all transport to be done through Hearts at Home, we can certainly discuss this option.
Note:
For continuity of care, clients of Annapolis Animal Hospital (AAH) will have their pet's cremation completed through the Peaceful Acres Pet Cemetery & Crematorium (https://peacefulacres.ca) that has been a dedicated and long-trusted AAH partner. You can bring your beloved pet to the AAH yourself after our visit, our team can respectfully transport your pet to AAH on your behalf, or you can contact Peaceful Acres to makes arrangements to bring your pet to their location in Ellershouse, NS.
Memorialization
Paws in Paradise Pet Cremation offers to create ink pawprints from your pet. Please feel free to ask if you would like pawprints or other memorial items collected during our visit (such as clippings of fur or whiskers).