Your Final Act of Love

In-Home Pet Euthanasia: A Peaceful and Respectful Farewell

At Vet At Your Door, our in-home pet euthanasia service is conducted by our very experienced veterinarians with the utmost compassion and respect, ensuring a peaceful and dignified goodbye for your beloved pet in their familiar surroundings.

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Gentle and Caring Process

We approach this sensitive time with a process designed to ensure comfort and peace:

• Initial Sedation: The process begins with an injection under their skin of a sedative. Some pets feel a very brief pinch, others seem not to notice at all. Then, during the next 10 minutes or so, you can be with your pet as they gently fall into a peaceful, pain-free sleep. 

• Final Euthanasia Solution: Once your pet is fully sedated and asleep, we administer the euthanasia solution. This final step causes no pain or panic, as your pet is already in a deep and peaceful sleep. Their breathing and heart will gently stop. It’s not uncommon for pets to have a "final breath" or twitching in these moments, which are natural bodily reactions as they let go. They are not aware of this at all. 

 

Respect for Your Pet and Your Family

• Unrushed and Respectful: We are not rushed in this process. The pace is set according to your needs and the comfort of your pet.

• Your Presence and Participation: We understand the importance of your presence during this time. You can choose how much or how little you want to be involved during the process. Our goal is to support you and honor your wishes.

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Aftercare Options

Following the euthanasia, we offer dignified aftercare options, including private cremation with the return of ashes. If you elect to cremate your pet but not have ashes returned to you, we will have your pet's ashes made into a memorial sphere that is put at the bottom of the ocean in an area that supports coral reef formation and marine life.  If you elect to bury your pet at home, we can advise you on local regulations. We also offer many specially designed memorial items that can help commemorate your pet. 

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Costs for At-home Euthanasia

With Vet At Your Door, you are paying for an experienced, compassionate veterinarian to come to you and spend unhurried and focused time with you, creating a meaningful, stress-free, and painless experience for you to say good-bye to your beloved pet.  The cost of this at-home euthanasia service can be found on our prices page.  If the euthanasia is emergent (if you need us within hours / the same day), there is an added fee.  We can handle the aftercare as well in a compassionate, gentle, and respectful manner. Costs of cremation and aftercare differ depending whether or not you would like your pet's ashes returned. All costs and aftercare decisions will be discussed compassionately and confirmed prior to our arrival. 

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Compassionate Support Throughout

Our team is here to provide emotional support and guidance throughout this difficult time, from the initial call to the decision-making process to aftercare. We believe in offering not just a service, but a shoulder to lean on.

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Euthanasia Hours

We offer euthanasia services during our normal business hours (9am-5pm Mondays, 8am-5pm Tuesdays-Fridays). We do also offer extended euthanasia hours of 5-7pm Mondays through Thursdays. The only way to get in touch with the on-call doctor in an emergent case is to fill out our online form and select "my pet is in immediate distress" when asked. If it is not urgent, we will get back to you when we next open, no matter the way that you contact us. 

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Large Animal Euthanasia As Well

At Vet At Your Door, we understand the profound impact of saying goodbye to a beloved animal companion, regardless of their size or species. That's why we offer compassionate euthanasia services for all animals, whether they are large or small. Our commitment extends across our entire service area, including those towns we serve within Cumberland, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Kennebec, York, Franklin, and Somerset Counties. We are dedicated to providing a peaceful and humane end-of-life experience for your cherished animals, ensuring they are surrounded by love and comfort in their final moments.

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Here are some commonly asked questions about pet cremation: 

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What are the types of pet cremation available?

You can elect to have your pet's ashes returned or not returned.  If you choose to have you pet's ashes returned, your pet will be cremated individually ("Private Cremation") and returned to you in a beautiful urn with customized name plate. If you elect not to have your pet's ashes returned, they will be cremated communally and made into a memorial reef sphere that is placed at the bottom of the ocean to help restore marine life such as coral reefs (we call this "Burial at Sea").  At Vet At Your Door, we offer both options, respecting your choice and providing a personalized experience in line with your preferences.

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How much does pet cremation cost?

Costs can vary depending on the size of your pet and the type of cremation chosen. You can see the prices here. This is in addition to the cost of the home euthanasia. We offer transparent pricing and guidance to help you choose the best option within your budget.

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Are there specific requirements or regulations for cremating a pet?

Regulations can vary by location. It's important to use a licensed and certified crematorium. A reputable facility like the one we partner with, ensures proper identification and follows environmental considerations to minimize impact.

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Can I keep my pet's ashes, and what options are available for storing or memorializing them?

Yes, by selecting private cremation. Options include traditional urns, memorial keepsakes like jewelry or sculptures, and environmentally friendly choices like biodegradable urns or ashes incorporated into living memorials. We can guide you through these choices, offering a way to keep your pet's memory alive.

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What should I consider when choosing a pet crematorium?

Look for a reputable, transparent, and compassionate crematorium. Consider their services, pricing, and environmental practices. We pride ourselves on utilizing a partner we absolutely trust, whom we have used for years, with a focus on your needs and those of your beloved pet.

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Is cremation a suitable option for memorializing my pet?

Yes, cremation offers a respectful and dignified way to remember your dog. It provides closure and a means to keep their memory close, whether through ashes or memorial items.

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How does Vet At Your Door support pet owners through the cremation process?

We provide compassionate guidance, respecting your wishes and offering options that align with your needs. Our Fear Free approach extends to pet owners, ensuring a stress-free experience during this difficult time.

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What should I do with my pet's belongings after cremation?

This is a personal choice. Some pet owners choose to keep items as memorials, while others donate them. We can advise on respectful ways to handle your pet's belongings.