What Do I Do With My Pet’s Body After the My Euthanasia Appointment?
Sacramento Valley Veterinary Services
Sacramento In Home Pet Euthanasia
Sacramento Mobile Pet Euthanasia
Losing a family pet can be a heart-wrenching and overwhelming emotional experience. That being said, considering what happens after the appointment to put your pet to sleep may not seem very compassionate during such a sensitive time. However, planning ahead can help the process go much more smoothly and help ensure your pet’s memory is honored in a personal way.
After your pet’s in home euthanasia appointment with Sacramento Valley Veterinary Services (SVVS), you have the option of us either taking your pets body with us or leaving your pets body with you to handle his or her remains on your own.
Read on for further information regarding each of these options.
If you would like SVVS to take your pets body with us after your appointment, your pet will be taken to the crematorium for communal cremation or private cremation.
Private Cremation/Individual Cremation
If you choose to have private cremation for your pet, we will take him or her with us after the appointment and arrange transport to the crematorium. Your pet will then be cremated by themselves and his or her ashes will be placed in a bag and put into an urn of your choosing (view different urns we offer *HERE). This allows you to have a physical remembrance of your pet. We will discuss with you at your appointment the best way to get your pets ashes back to you depending on your location (delivery, pick up from the crematorium, or returned via mail service).
A common concern is trusting that you will get only your pet’s ashes returned to you. While we understand this concern, the crematorium we use is very well known not only by us, but the veterinary community. We are at the crematorium frequently and feel they truly uphold a high standard of commitment to their clients and care to their patients. We trust them implicitly.
Communal/Group Cremation
When you choose to have your pet cremated communally, we still take your pet with us after the appointment and will arrange transport for your pet to the crematorium. He or she will then be cremated with other animals. All ashes are collected and spread at sea, so your pet’s ashes are not returned to you. This is a very dignified option for families that do not want to have their pet’s ashes.
**If your pet is very large and you/we are unable to lift he or she into our vehicle after your pet is euthanized, we may arrange for the crematorium to come pick up your pet shortly after the appointment at no additional charge to you. We can co-ordinate having the crematorium come to you, but your appointment options will be dependent on the availability of the crematorium staff.
If you do not want SVVS to take your pets body/ you choose to handle your pet’s remains on your own after the in-home euthanasia appointment, you may do one of the following:
Home burial
While this topic can be controversial, home burial of animals on private property is legal in Sacramento if guidelines are adhered to. Some of these important guidelines are ensuring your animal is buried at least 2-5 feet deep and he or she is buried 50 feet from water sources. Please read our blog about burying your pet at home **HERE for more information. This is a great option if you want a peaceful place to visit your pet.
Take your pet’s body to the SPCA
The SPCA will take your pets remains (if they have room) for a small fee. We encourage you to call first and arrange this with the SPCA before arrival. If you bring your pets body to the SPCA, your pet will be communally cremated, and you will not get ashes returned to you.
Take your pet’s body to an animal hospital or emergency clinic.
Most veterinary hospitals have a means to store your pets body and facilitate transport to a crematorium for either communal or private cremation, most likely for a fee. You will have to call the veterinary office/emergency clinic of your choice to arrange this on your own.
Take your pets body to a crematorium/pet memorial service of your choosing, on your own.
If you have a crematorium or pet memorial company that you know of, you can transport your pet and work with them privately to ensure your wishes are met for your beloved pet.
Though making these decisions can be difficult, we encourage you to plan ahead. There is no right or wrong decision regarding what to do with your pet’s body after putting him or her to sleep at home, only what suits you and your beliefs best. As always, we’re here to support you at SVVS in any way we can during this process and help you preserve the memories of companionship and joy of your pet’s life.
https://sacvalleyvet.com/in-home-pet-euthanasia/
Service Locations:
Arden, Downtown Sacramento, Elk Grove, Florin, Freeport, Galt, Herald, Isleton, Land Park, Lock, Lockeford, Lodi, Meadowview, Midtown Sacramento, North Laguna, Oak Park, Rancho Murieta, Rancho Cordova, Rosemonet, Ryde, Sloughhouse, South Sacramento, West Sacramento, Wilton
