Frequently Asked Questions

There is nothing that you need to prepare before the appointment. We would like to allow you to focus on saying goodbye to your pet. We do not require much space for the procedure. You may want to consider where you are comfortable as well as your pet. Small dogs and cats may remain on your lap throughout the procedure. Larger dogs are best laying next to you or in their bed. You can touch your pet throughout the procedure.

Yes, they can eat before the procedure as well as eat some treats when we arrive at the appointment. We would recommend not feeding a very large meal right before we arrive. They may become nauseous once the sedative starts to kick in. If you want to feed a larger than usual meal we would recommend doing it at least 2 hours before the procedure or the night before.

• It mitigates the stress of transporting your sick/painful pet into a stressful clinic where their last moments might be met with anxiety.

• It allows your pet to be surrounded by family in their natural environment.

• It makes the procedure feel less clinical allowing you to focus on your pet’s final moments.

• It lets you grieve the way you want to with a level of privacy that isn’t possible in a veterinary hospital.

Not at all. After receiving the initial sedative your pet will be under anesthesia. They will be sleeping peacefully, unaware of their surroundings, and free of any pain. Most pet owners comment that they haven’t seen their pet this comfortable in months or years.

We recommend allowing other dogs or cats to be present for the entire euthanasia process or having them say goodbye after their housemate has passed. This will often provide closure to co-habitating dogs. Many pets will become anxious in the days following the passing of their housemate. They may search for their friend or seem depressed when not given closure. It is important to give them a bit of extra attention in the days following. An exception to this is if your other pet is very high energy and distracts from the appointment. If this is the case they should be enclosed until the procedure has concluded then given the opportunity to see their housemate.

The injectable medication they receive following sedation will turn off their brain signals which will in turn stop the heart and lungs from functioning. Since they are anesthetized they will not feel any bodily sensations and drift into a deeper sleep.

New York State requires a waiting period of 10 days to ensure the dog has not shown symptoms of rabies. Consult dog bite law euthanasia guidelines for more information.

A typical appointment takes anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour. When we arrive we will walk through a bit of paperwork, reiterate the procedure to you, then begin the procedure. The final injection to perform the euthanasia will not be administered until your pet is fully under anesthesia meaning they cannot feel any sensations.

Yes, we encourage you to be present during the procedure. If you are uncomfortable at any point let us know. There is nothing wrong with stepping away for the final injection if you are uncomfortable. This is your personal decision and we want you to be able to grieve in your own way.

We will perform euthanasia for aggression on a case-by-case basis. If we are performing a euthanasia for aggression they must have not bitten anyone within 10 days of the appointment (NYS law) and must be muzzled/leashed upon our arrival at the appointment. Ideally, they should be pre-medicated with a sedative prescribed by your primary veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist 2 hours before the scheduled appointment.

Yes. If you choose cremation your pet will leave directly following the procedure. We will handle your pet with respect and dignity following the procedure. The cremation company we are partnered with, Final Gift Pet Memorial Center , is a member of the IAOPCC and follows the highest industry standards. There are two options for cremation:

• Communal cremation- Your pet is cremated and their ashes will be spread in Final Gift’s Angel View Pet Cemetery.

• Private Cremation- Your pet is cremated individually and his/her ashes will be returned to you typically 1-2 weeks after the appointment in one of six complementary urns of your choosing.

This is based on the company that insures your pet. You should contact them before the appointment to understand what they cover. We provide an itemized invoice that you should submit to them after an appointment if you are looking to file a claim.

An invoice will be emailed to you via square payment processing the day before the appointment. If paying with credit card you can pay any time before the appointment or at the appointment with cash.