FAQ

Our pets play an irreplaceable role in our lives, and the bond between pets and their owners is a special one. For that reason, the decision to euthanize a pet rests solely in the owner’s hands. In most cases, the pet’s level of pain and suffering and quality of life is the determining factor. Please reference the quality of life scale: https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/how-will-i-know_rev_mar2024ms_0.pdf

From start to finish, the entire procedure can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending mostly on how much time you'd like to spend with your pet. We take the time to explain each step of the process and answer any questions you have.

The price can vary based on the size of your pet and what type of cremation or aftercare you would like. No surcharge on same-day or Sunday appointments, as available. Please call us at (516) 268-7333 to obtain an exact price based on your preferences.

As a parent, you know what is best for your children. If a child feels strongly about being there, we encourage the parents to allow it. Pease be aware that children 2 years and older must keep a mask on. Being left out of such an important family moment can lead to resentment, and is a loss of an important teaching opportunity for children to learn how to deal with grief. We are professionals and handle the euthanasia in a calm and compassionate manner. If we have young children present, we will make them feel included in the situation by asking them if they want to draw a picture or write a note that will be cremated with the pet. This is empowering to them and helps them to feel like they have some control in the situation. Parents should keep in mind that young children may not fully comprehend what is going on but will feel a sense of loss. Kids may act out in frustration or have difficulty concentrating. We encourage parents to contact their child's teachers and explain that there has been a death in the family.

At this time, we only provide veterinary euthanasia services. If your pet's situation is critical and warrants hospitalization, you should contact the nearest veterinary ER for care. There are many excellent ERs in Queens, Brooklyn and on Long Island, including Blue Pearl and Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS).

We make every effort to ensure that the euthanasia process is as painless and stress-free as possible for your pet. An initial injection allows your pet to ease into a relaxed comfortable state; the second injection, which contains an anesthetic element, often goes unnoticed by pets.

If your pet has an appetite, small treats of their favorite food can be given before our arrival. We don't recommend large meals, as this can create discomfort for your pet during the procedure.

Yes, you are welcome to stay for as much of the procedure as you are comfortable with. Some people elect to be present for the entire procedure while others only want to be present for just the sedation. It is your personal decision. You and your family will have all the time you wish with your pet before and after the procedure.

While the overwhelming majority of our caseload is for pets diagnosed with a terminal illness, we occasionally get requests for the euthanasia of a pet who has bitten people or other pets. Sometimes there are severe injuries or lawsuits pending. While consultation with a behaviorist is generally encouraged at the first signs of aggressive pet behavior in order to address the entire family dynamic, we recognize that sometimes humane euthanasia is the necessary outcome. There are a few things to keep in mind with these cases. First and foremost, we CANNOT euthanize any animal that has bitten anyone in the past 10 days. Per New York State law, the Health Department should be contacted and animal must be observed for 10 days to make sure no signs of rabies develop. We encourage you to contact a local veterinary facility for assistance with this. Secondly, in every case we take on, the safety of everyone present is our number one priority. Therefore, the patient must be muzzled when we arrive or a muzzle will be provided for you to put on. In the event the patient cannot be safely muzzled, we will discuss alternative ways to safely restrain. For cats that cannot be picked up by the owner due to being semi-feral, we will discuss the situation and our safety protocols at the time of consultation.

Given that this is a very emotional visit for owners, we prefer to focus on caring for the family rather than on finances once we arrive. Therefore, credit card information is taken over the phone at booking confirmation. A receipt is emailed. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover, and Care Credit. Cash can be accepted on a case by case basis, but is not preferred. The link to apply for Care Credit is http://www.carecredit.com/go/346FXP