When Immediate Care is Needed

There’s no more deeply troubling time that when you realize your beloved animal companion has come to the end of their life with you. Whether you have cared for an ailing pet over the course of weeks, or their passing came accidently, without warning; that pivotal moment when you know you need help in arranging for their final care can be unnerving.

Let Our Pet Loss Professionals Help

We’re experienced–as are the other pet loss professionals in our network–in moments just like these. We will come to your home, or your veterinarian’s office, to assist you in the final care planning for your pet, and to lovingly transport them to our facility. Just pick up your phone to call us at 815-233-PETS(7387).

If Your Pet is Nearing the End

Naturally, you want to ease their way. While you may feel a need to take your pet to your veterinarian’s office for euthanasia, there are many things you can do at home to naturally help your pet through the process of “letting go” of life. Here are seven recommendations:

1. As you wish to comfort your pet, speak soothingly to him or her. Keep lighting soft, and you may also want to put on some soothing classical or ambient music in the background.

2. Since his or her circulation could be slowing down, you may wish to cover your pet with a blanket.

3. Do not force him or her to eat. Keep their mouth moistened if possible, by gently dripping water onto their tongue.

4. Recognize that when death is near, their senses will begin to fail. The first is their sense of smell, followed by the senses of taste and sight. The last to go will be their hearing.

5. Gently reposition him or her, if needed, to make them more comfortable.

6. Allow your pet to choose the place he or she wishes to lay down, and then make him or her as comfortable as possible by surrounding them with well-loved toys, pictures, or fresh flowers.

7. Respect their need for solitude, but don’t feel a need to isolate your pet from the family. Just like you, your pet would like to be surrounded by those people he or she loves most. Stay close, but don’t crowd your pet, or make them nervous by being too close.

When Your Pet Takes Their Final Breath

The hard, sorrowful work is almost over. You have done so much to care for your beloved pet in his or her final hours, and we know how difficult it has been for you and your family. Now you can turn your pet’s final care over to us, and focus on caring for one another during these early hours of grieving the loss of your pet. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just pick up the phone and call us at 815-233-PETS(7387).