FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is In-Home Euthanasia?
Our veterinarians are committed to helping your pet’s end of life transition be as free from stress, anxiety, and pain as possible. That’s why we are the Valley’s leading in-home euthanasia service provider. Remaining in your family’s home during this difficult time allows for a peaceful, stress-free passing for your pet. Additionally, many of our pet owners appreciate the ability to grieve privately in the comfort, safety and peace of their own homes.
Will Doing Euthanasia at Home Alleviate My Pet’s Stress?
Often times, the vet’s office causes pets stress and anxiety. The car ride to the office, the unfamiliar smells and sounds, and the cold examination area can cause a great deal of anxiety, stress and fear for our pets. Additionally, getting your pet there can have many challenges; if your pet is old, sick, or weighs more than you can handle. Our goal is to eliminate anxiety, stress and fear so that your pet is comfortable, in their own home surrounded by their happiest memories. In-home euthanasia is a wonderful alternative to the veterinary clinic, or an emergency veterinarian practice. We are able to make this experience much more intimate, peaceful and compassionate for you and your pet.
Why Should We Choose in Home Comfort, Hospice and Euthanasia?
There is no better place than the warm, loving and familiar surroundings of their own home. Not only is it less stressful on your pet, it also allows you as the pet parent to have the privacy you need to cope with the decision of having to say goodbye. For this reason, we make every effort to take time and explain the process to you and your family and to create a quiet and unrushed experience within the privacy of your own home.
Where Can Our Services Be Performed?
Our pets are often our most beloved friends. They are always there for us, through our toughest days. Even though this is a painful decision to make, euthanasia can be the kindest thing you do for your pet. Any of our services can be performed in your home, yard or even a park. Your pet can be in the environment where they are most comfortable and loved.
When is the Right Time to Put my Pet Down?
When your pet is ill, it is challenging and stressful to identify the right time to help your pet pass away peacefully. This is one of the most difficult decisions you will make for your cherished friend. The responsibility of making this decision is often unexpected, unwelcomed and overwhelming. More often than not the reality of this responsibility comes very suddenly.
As their owner, guardian, advocate and caregiver, you have provided the love, food, water, voice, shelter, and medical care for your animal. He or she has depended on you to survive. You have provided the care they have needed in order to get to this point in their life. Your pet will also depend on you to do whatever you can to help them pass away peacefully when they are at that point. The term euthanasia comes from ancient Greeks and means “easy death”. Euthanasia is a painless, restful and compassionate end of life option. In making this decision, it is important to evaluate your pet’s quality of life and their symptoms, signs, and pain levels. It is always helpful to consult a veterinarian for this, we are here for you at All About Restful Pets for all the help you need.
When is the right time depends on you, your pet, his or her health, disease, and prognosis. You know your pet best and you will be able to see the specific changes that indicate when the time is right. It is better to be 1 week early than 1 day late.
What Are the Considerations for Quality of Life for Your Pet?
As your pet’s caregiver, you want your pet to have the best quality of life possible. You want that time with your pet to be special and if you have the chance to spend a little more time with her or him, you want to be able to know that your pet is not suffering. Quality of life is defined and assessed by a combination of your pet’s physical and mental wellbeing. At All About Restful Pets we feel these are the most important factors for you to consider regarding your pet’s end-of-life care:
- Pain, Playing and Ability to Move Around
Does your pet have difficulty walking, getting up or down, standing, jumping or even going for a walk? Pain does not always refer to joint pain or moving around. It can present in other parts of the body too. Pain can be expressed with mood changes, not wanting to be petted, not wanting to play, not wanting to eat, a tense abdomen or other behaviors your pet has never exhibited. At All About Restful Pets, we can evaluate if your pet is on adequate pain control for their aches and pains. We can monitor pain control to keep them comfortable should end of life issues not need to be addressed. We make sure that even with pain management medication, they are getting the relief they need and deserve. - Breathing and Temperature Instability
Observing how your companion is breathing can give you a lot of information. Does your pet have difficulty breathing; are they open-mouth breathing or using their abdomen to breathe in or out? Panting when not hot, or for no foreseeable reason is not normal and needs assessment. Sometimes animals have to stand to breathe, this is worrisome for their health. Breathing problems can abruptly turn into a nightmarish emergency, one that is difficult to see, and one you do not want your pet to go through. Shivering can often signal something is just not right, particularly with a pet that does not usually shiver. We recommend a complete evaluation as the end of life becomes closer, to prevent any suffering. - Eating and Drinking
Is your pet able to eat and/or drink? Typically end of life brings a lack of wanting to eat or drink. Their appetite can change or they may not be able to physically eat any longer. Does your companion lack interest is his or her favorite foods/treats? This is a good rule of thumb to prepare for an end of life decision. They might want to eat but be unable to do so without hand feeding. Some or all of these significantly decreases their quality of life. - Hygiene
If a pet is incontinent they can require constant care, which can cause a great deal of stress to a pet and to the family. This is a serious quality of life issue for which one might consider all end of life options. - Happiness and Sociability
Your pet’s happiness is very important, you can assess this by observing whether they wag their tail the way they have always done. Another key to whether they are happy is; do they spend time with you and your family? Do they enjoy your time, comfort and petting. Do they still greet you when you come home? Changes in attitude (depression, aggression or confusion) can signal the need to address end of life options. Not enjoying their usual activities is a sign that they may be suffering. - More Bad Days Than Good Days
Sometimes your pet might cycle with their symptoms and have good days and bad days. The goal, of course, is to have more good days than bad days. It is important to keep track of the good and bad days, so you have evidence when you need to make the tough decision to let them pass restfully. - Your Well-Being
Although this can feel selfish, it is not! You and your family’s well-being is also an important consideration. There are times when it becomes important to look at the big picture and access not only your pet but also your health, emotional well being, time commitment, effects on family and even finances.
Our veterinary team knows and respects the fact that every pet owner, pet, and situation is extremely different so you will not feel judged. We will do a quality of life assessment to help pet owners understand the health problems their pets may be facing and the different care options that are available.
What Should I Expect During In-Home Euthanasia?
Our veterinarians work closely with each pet owner to create a safe, predictable and compassionate experience. You can select a location where your pet is most comfortable, be that indoors or outdoors, in a comfortable chair or bed. You are welcome to hold your pet in your lap or in your arms – whatever feels best for you and your pet. You can have friends and family present for emotional support, or you may wish to keep this a private, personal experience.
Once our veterinarian arrives, in general, the entire process usually takes 45 minutes to an hour. We always do a 2-Step Process, whereby we do a sedative first, and only once the sedation has completely taken effect will we start an “IV/Port Catheter” in a limb, where the final medication will be administered. We do not want to rush you or your pet through this process; we will honor and respect the special bond you have with your pet, and will take the care necessary to make this the best process possible.
What Happens Afterwards?
Once our veterinarian has confirmed your pet’s passing, you are welcome to have some time alone with your pet. If your pet is going to be cremated, our veterinarian will make all of the arrangements and take your pet with us. Your pet will be handled with the same care, dignity and respect we would have for our own pets throughout the entire process. All of us are pet parents too, and each of us has lost a pet in the last 4 years so we have a keen understanding of what you are going through.
What Is the Mission of All About Restful Pets?
Our Mission is to serve the hearts of pet owners in the greater metropolitan Phoenix area by providing restful and compassionate end of life care for their pets with honesty, integrity and respect in the peace and comfort of their homes. We strive to be the Valley’s leader for all in-home pet comfort, pet hospice and pet euthanasia veterinary services.
We will provide every pet owner the opportunity to receive gentle, compassionate care and to help you deal with end of life issues surrounding your beloved pet, including in-home palliative, hospice care, in-home euthanasia, and final pet care.
What is your Return, Refund, and/or Cancellation Policy?
We offer a full refund minus any credit card fees (typically 5%) for all cancellations with a 4-hour minimum notice, prior to services being rendered or Veterinarian being dispatched. We do not offer any refunds for cancellations with less than 4 hours notice.
If your situation changes and Euthanasia is no longer an option, after an All About Restful Pets Veterinarian has arrived at your home, you will be charged a $225.00 consultation fee, instead of the pre-paid package price, and refunded the difference from what was originally paid.
If your pet has passed while one of our Veterinarians are on their way to your home we will change the service to transport and only charge you for the transport, cremation, and any other fees. The remaining balance will be mailed to you promptly.
If you are scheduled for Euthanasia only and your pet passes away prior to our arrival, we will work out the details personally with you depending on how close we were to your home.
There are no Refunds for services rendered or for cancellations with less than 4 hours notice.
What are some resources for Pet Loss?
Pet Loss Support Resources:
• ASPCA Pet Loss Support Hotline: 877- 474-3310 or (877) GRIEF-10
• Ohio State C.A.L.L. (Companion Animal Listening Line): 614-292-1823
• Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Support Hotline: 517-432-2696 Tues/Wed/Thurs 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Eastern time)
• Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline: 607-253-3932 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday evenings (Eastern time)
• Tufts University Pet Loss Support Hotline: 508-839-7966 (call for more information)
• University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine “C.A.R.E. Pet Loss Support Hotline”: 877-394-2273
• University of Florida Pet Loss Support Hotline: 352-392-2235 Leave a message and someone will call you back within 24 hours weekdays; weekend calls are returned on Monday
Web Resources:
• Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement: https://www.aplb.org
• American Veterinary Medical Association: Making the decision or search “pet loss” in Search AVMA box. https://www.avma.org
• Argus Institute, Colorado State University: http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/diagnostic-and-support/argus/Pages/default.aspx
• California Veterinary Medical Association: https://cvma.net
Grief Book Resources
• “When your Pets Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering, and Healing” By Alan Wolfelt.
• “Goodbye Friend” By Gary Kowalski
• “The Loss of a Pet” By Dr. Wallace Sife
• “Companioning the Bereaved” By Alan Wolfelt
• “The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss” By Russell Friedman, Cole James, and John W. James
• “The Legacy of Beezer, and Boomer: Lessons on Living and Dying From My Canine Brothers” By Doug Koktavy
FOR CHILDREN
• “Dog Heaven” By Cynthia Rylant
• “Cat Heaven” By Cynthia Rylant
• “When a Pet Dies” By Mr Fred Rogers
• “I’ll Always Love You” By Hans Wilheim
• “A Special Place for Charlie” By Debby Morehead