Saying goodbye to our beloved animal companions is the most difficult part of pet ownership. Understanding what will happen when a Lifting Stars veterinarian comes to your home can help alleviate a little of the fear, sadness, and uncertainty you might experience if and when you need to book a quality-of-life assessment or mobile euthanasia appointment. Read on for information on what you can expect before, during, and after the visit. You can also read through our FAQs for more information on end-of-life care and to get advice on assessing your own pet’s quality of life on a day to day basis, or find information on your after-care options.
We do believe that humane at-home pet euthanasia can make saying goodbye to your companion less stressful and more comfortable for your pet, for you, and for your family. Your pet will not need to go through the stress of transport to a clinic, and you will have the ability to surround them with the comfort of a familiar space, their preferred resting places, their favourite toys, and of course their favourite people. You yourself can also benefit from being in a familiar, comfortable place during a sad and difficult moment.
Here are a few specific factors to consider when planning for your pet’s end-of-life care:
Our mobile, at-home euthanasia process and quality-of-life consultations are centred in compassion, dignity, calm, respect, and listening to you and your situation. When you call us or use our form to request a visit, our support specialists will reach out to you as soon as possible to get the details we need and to confirm an appointment time with you.
If you have requested an at-home euthanasia appointment, our specialists will send you consent forms, your cremation options, and information on the memorial items that are available to you (such as urn options, clay or ceramic paw prints, jewellery, or a fur trimming). Making these decisions in advance will help you reduce your stress on the day of the appointment. It also allows the visit to remain entirely focused on you, your pet, and the time you have together, ensuring that everything can move gently and calmly. Our specialists will also pre-arrange payment for the same reason.
On the day of the visit, our veterinarian will review your pet’s health condition with you, examine your pet as needed, and discuss any questions you may have. Then, they will discuss with you whether humane euthanasia is appropriate based on your needs and your pet’s needs. This is a standard and necessary part of the process, even if you have booked an at-home euthanasia appointment rather than a quality-of-life assessment. It will help you to know that the decisions you make are appropriate, and not rushed.
If you change your mind and decide that palliative care is the right decision for the moment, our veterinarian will discuss the next steps with you, and provide you with information on how you can access any resources you might need. If you confirm that humane euthanasia is the best course of action, our veterinarian will talk with you about all of the steps involved in the process. You will have time to ask questions, to settle with your pet and make them comfortable, and to spend some moments with them. Our goal is to make the entire process calm, comfortable, and relaxed for you and your pet.
Our veterinarian will explain what is happening with each step as it takes place (naturally, you can tell us your preference if you would prefer not to have this information). The euthanasia process itself is performed in two steps. First, your pet will be given a combined sedative and pain injection with a small needle, so that they enter a state of deep sleep and relaxation. This injection is usually administered into the muscle and may cause a pinch when it’s given. Our veterinarian will guide you in gently holding your pet to help make this step as smooth as possible. The sedation typically takes about three to ten minutes to take effect.
The second step is the administration of the euthanasia solution. This injection is usually administered into a vein and is facilitated by the placement of an intravenous butterfly catheter. The final euthanasia injection typically takes approximately five to twenty seconds to take effect, depending on the size of your pet.
Once your pet is confirmed deceased, our veterinarian will step out of your home for a few minutes to give you and your family some private time with your pet for your final goodbyes. In most cases, we will return in approximately ten minutes. If you think you will need more or less time, please discuss this with your veterinarian before the procedure. When they return, they will take your pet along with them to arrange for their aftercare and any of the memorial items you have requested.
In all, you can expect the euthanasia appointment to take about one hour, from start to finish. We understand that sometimes a full hour is not needed, while other times a little more time is required. If you have any requests or concerns about timing, let our specialists know before your appointment and we will try to accommodate your needs as best we can.
At the end of your at-home euthanasia appointment, we will make arrangements to transport your pet for cremation at Gateway Memorial Centre. In most cases, your pet will be taken with us directly following the appointment.
If you have selected a private cremation for your pet, the ashes will be available for you to pick up in approximately two weeks. You can visit our Pet Cremation page to learn about the different options for where and how to receive your pet’s ashes. If you have decided on a communal cremation, your pet’s ashes will not be returned to you — instead, they will be spread in a private country meadow in the Fraser Valley. If you have decided on a specialized urn, a keepsake fur clipping, a paw print impression, or one of our other options for a pet memorial item, our veterinarian will explain what is needed and when it will be ready for you.
If your pet is a dog and is able to walk, please take them for a short walk before the doctor arrives so they can eliminate if needed. We understand that this may not be possible if your dog has severe mobility concerns.
If your pet is a cat, please keep them in an area where it is easy to find them when we arrive. Some cats have a tendency to hide when visitors arrive, so please close doors to areas where it could be difficult to find and gain access to them (for example, close the doors to bedrooms so your cat cannot hide under the bed).
When considering where you wish the euthanasia to take place, it is generally best to have your pet in a favourite location somewhere near the main entryway to your home. You can keep your pet in your lap, or prepare a comfortable and familiar bed or blanket where they will feel most calm. You are welcome (but certainly not obligated) to light a candle, or play relaxing music. There will also be time during your appointment to read a poem, say a prayer, share some fond memories, or honour your pet in the way of your choosing. Consider turning off any phones before the appointment to protect your privacy and to minimize disruption. If you would like your children to be present or you would like to have a friend with you, that’s absolutely fine. Our knowledgeable Support Specialists will be happy to chat with you about how to create an environment that is calm and supportive for you, your family, and your pet.
If you have more questions about the mobile euthanasia process and what you can expect during your visit, reach out to us using the contact info below and our Support Specialists will break down what our services entail and how you can prepare for your visit in the best way for you and your pet.
If you have any questions about mobile at-home pet euthanasia or how to prepare for your visit from our Lifting Stars veterinarians that we haven’t answered on this page or in the FAQs below, please get in touch with our team using the contact info below. Our support team is there to help.
Yes. We can and often do provide owners with keepsakes of their pets. On request, we can provide a free fur clippings. Our veterinary practice also offers a selection of five basic urns as part of the private cremation fee. For an additional fee, we have custom urn options. We also have optional paw print keepsakes and other pet memorial items available.
We partner with Gateway Pet Memorial Services in Surrey to provide you with comprehensive cremation options, including delivery services. We offer two options for cremation: private or communal cremation. If you select private cremation, your pet will be cremated separately, and their ashes will be made available to you. (Visit our Pet Cremation page for information about timelines and how to receive the ashes.) If you choose communal creation, your pet will be cremated with other animals and their ashes will be spread in a private country meadow in the Fraser Valley.
You don’t need to prepare anything. What’s important is that you have time and space to spend time with your pet and make them comfortable. However, if you are able, it can help to prepare a designated area for your companion. It’s normal for families to play music, set out candles, or have their pet’s favourite toys and treats out — whatever feels right for you and your pet. If you have a dog and they are able to walk comfortably, you might want to take them for a walk so they can eliminate, if possible. But all of that is optional: our doctor will help you set up a space and guide you through the process once they arrive.
It’s entirely up to you whether you feed your pet before euthanasia. (Taking into account any guidance you may have received from your regular veterinarian.) Many pet owners choose to feed their companions their favourite foods. For dogs, it can be helpful to give them some treats when the sedative injection is given, so it’s good to have some favourite treats on hand, and for your dog to not be too overfed with those favourite foods, so they still have an appetite. Do what feels right for you and your pet on that day.
We know that saying goodbye to your pet is extremely difficult, and that it is difficult in a different way for everyone. That’s why we at Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare are honoured to be able to provide compassionate, humane mobile euthanasia services for cats, dogs, bunnies, and other small mammals for pet owners in our neighbourhood of Strathcona and across the Metro Vancouver area. We promise to come into your home with respect and awareness, and to treat you and your pet with the dignity and care that you both deserve. The first step in this hard process is to contact us. We will answer your questions and help you schedule an appointment, so you can make the most informed decision you can for your pet on a day-to-day basis, and help them pass peacefully when the right time comes.
