FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
We’re happy to answer any questions you have about our services and what to expect if you choose Hearts & Halos for in-home euthanasia. See our FAQs below for more information about what we offer, the procedure, costs, and more. If you’re ready to speak with us, call our Orange County (949) 989-4289 or Los Angeles (310) 956-7062 number, or email our team to get started.
Making the Choice
No one knows your pet better than you do. Setting aside your fear of loss and focusing on your pet's best interests can be challenging. Often, the decision becomes clear through changes in your pet’s attitude, such as weight loss, behavior changes, loss of appetite, low energy, or decreased activity. Signs of suffering may include panting, aggression, flinching, excessive sleeping, social withdrawal, or restlessness. Not all pets show these symptoms, and once noticed, suffering may already be advanced.
Assessing your pet’s quality of life is crucial. Consider the three activities your pet loves most—if they stop doing two of them, it may be time to let go. Pets, especially dogs, often hide their pain and strive to please their owners despite discomfort.
Consulting with a trusted veterinarian can help you make informed decisions about your pet’s care. When treatment no longer improves your pet’s quality of life, it may be time to consider euthanasia. The doctors at Hearts & Halos are available to guide you through this difficult decision. Humane euthanasia is an act of kindness that prevents suffering.
There is no easy way to lose a pet. Some pet owners would rather put off the decision to euthanize, instead waiting for death to naturally take their pet. However, it is an unfortunate truth that “natural death” is often preceded by long periods of stressful suffering and anxiety. Dogs and cats are great at hiding signs of pain and therefore, their discomfort often goes unnoticed for far longer than we realize. As your pet’s guardian, you should consider that euthanasia is a kind way to end your pet’s suffering when their quality of life has diminished.
Many people would say their "ideal passing” would be “to simply fall asleep and not wake up”. This is essentially what we can provide, with your selfless love, via in-home euthanasia to pets who have problems we cannot control or cure. The opportunity to fall asleep, surrounded by the people who love him, in the comfort of his home is certainly the greatest gift you can give to your best friend in his final moments.
Traveling to an unfamiliar environment when they are ill can be an unpleasant, painful, or frightening event for many pets. Although a hospital visit is worth the stress if it leads to improved health and quality of life for your pet, it is our opinion that a pet’s final moments and memories should be as gentle and dignified as possible.
We are pleased to be able to offer pets the chance to peacefully “fall asleep” in the comfort and privacy of their own home or yard, nestled in their favorite spot, surrounded by the people who love them the most. We feel that this is a generous and compassionate way to repay the many years of companionship and unconditional love your devoted friend has given. Further, most pet owners who experience the tranquility of in-home euthanasia say they would never do it any other way.
You and anyone you would like to have with you are welcome to stay with your pet for the entire euthanasia procedure. At any point, however, you are free to leave the room, especially if you feel overcome with grief or prefer your final memory to be of your living pet. In all circumstances, we will be honored to be with your pet, comforting him every step of the way.
Procedure
If you wish to offer prayers, talk about your pet, or have private time together, it's best to do so before the doctor arrives. All loved ones who wish to be present should gather and be ready before our scheduled visit to ensure ample time to say goodbye. Upon arrival, the doctor will administer a sedative injection in the most painless manner possible. The type of sedation will depend on your pet’s health, species, weight, age, or other specific circumstances. This step alleviates pain and induces relaxation, often leading to deep anesthetic sleep.
Once your pet is comfortably sedated or in a "twilight sleep," a final injection is given. This overdose of a sedative allows your pet's body to peacefully slow down and stop, leading to a gentle passing. This process usually takes effect within seconds, but in some very ill or dehydrated pets, it may take longer.
After your pet has passed, their body may quiver, sigh, urinate, or keep their eyes open—these are natural processes as the body lets go. Once the doctor confirms that your pet has peacefully passed, they can take your loved one for aftercare, though this is not required. If you prefer, you may spend more time with your pet and arrange for later aftercare at our aftercare center, your local vet hospital, a public crematorium, or a pet cemetery.
No. There is no specific set-up necessary for our doctors to help your pet. We will provide all the necessary medications, support staff, and tools needed for aftercare transportation.
Some pet owners take this opportunity to prepare a pleasant atmosphere for themselves and their pet, possibly including comfortable blankets, soothing music, or their pet’s favorite napping place. We try to be as flexible as possible to allow a pleasant end to your beloved pet’s time with you.
The decision to have children present for a pet’s euthanasia is an individual choice. In many circumstances, it may be the first time a young child is exposed to the important life experience of dealing with loss and death. If you feel that you can guide your children in properly understanding what is happening and why, we certainly encourage you to allow them to be present to say goodbye to their beloved friend.
Absolutely. It is important to realize that other pets may also need time to grieve following the passing of their housemate. Although it is likely that these pets will only demonstrate a brief glance or sniff toward their deceased friend, this experience may help bring closure and decrease the chances that the remaining pets will become depressed or search for the deceased pet later.
Cost
If you are considering euthanasia for your pet, phone consultations with the H&H team are offered free as a courtesy to guide you in evaluating your pet’s quality of life and recognizing when the time may be approaching to consider saying goodbye to your beloved friend. As well, this will allow our team the opportunity to learn about your pet’s medical condition. Call us. We are here to help.
No. Although many appointments for in-home euthanasia are scheduled in advance (at a time when the pet parent feels it would be most appropriate), some appointments are requested “as soon as possible.” We do our best to accommodate your requests, arriving at your home at the time most convenient for you.
Although we do appreciate as much notice as possible, we certainly will do our best to work with you when your pet is in need. We understand that the circumstances for which your pet needs our help may arise suddenly. Ultimately, our goal is to end suffering as quickly as possible.
If there is a chance you may be considering our services in the future, please do not hesitate to call and let us know your situation so that we may be able to guide you in preparing for your pet’s final moments.
Yes. Our goal is to help as many families as possible during this very difficult time. And we are never able to help everyone that needs us. For this reason, we must charge a cancellation fee for visits booked and then canceled with short notice. Our phone consultants will give you details about the cancellation fee at the time of scheduling.
Aftercare
Following in-home euthanasia, many pet owners elect to have us arrange the details of aftercare. Hearts & Halos offers a variety of services, including communal aftercare, individual aquamation, and mementos. However, if you prefer to keep your pet for private burial or arrange your own aftercare services, the choice is always up to you.
If you choose individual aquamation through Hearts & Halos, your loved one's ashes will be ready to come home to you in 10-14 days.
You will have the option to pick your loved one's ashes up from our facility or have them sent home via FedEx. We will be in touch with in 10-14 days of your appointment. You are welcome to change your delivery preference at any time.
If you choose FedEx delivery, we will be in touch to confirm your address and are ready for your loved one's ashes to come home. We will not ship anything until we have your verbal consent.
Aftercare Products
Yes, the paw print engraving is your loved one's paw. We take a digital image of your loved one's paw, remove the background and laser engrave the image onto the wooden plaque.
Yes, we are happy to email you the digital images by request. You will receive the original image, the image with the background removed, as well as the laser image.
We guarantee to keep your loved one's paw print images on file for 1 year. You are more than welcome to order addtional engravings by contacting our aftercare team.
You are more than welcome to provide your own urn. We will place your loved one's ashes into the urn of your choice, provided you are picking your loved one's ashes up from our facility.
Yes, urn engravings are customizable. Below are the specifics for each of the engravable urns:
- Cedar Lock Box: 1-2 lines of text with paw print engraved
- Cedar Picture Urn:1-2 lines of text with paw print engraved
- Mango Heart Urn: 2-3 lines of text with paw print engraved
- Sleeping Cat Urns: Text only, up to 3 lines of 15 characters per line.
- Paws to Heaven Brass Urn: Text only, up to 3 lines of 15 characters per line.
Yes, our slate hearts and granite tiles are also customizable with a picture of your loved one and/or their paw print with text. If you would like a picture of your loved one for the heart or tile, please email the image you would like to heartsandhalosaftercare@thrivepet.com. The picture must be at least 1 MB in size.
Coping with Loss
The end of your pet’s suffering may not bring an end to your emotional pain.
There are many different ways to deal with grief. Planning ahead and preparing yourself for the passing of a pet can help avoid feelings of anxiety and guilt in the future. Confide with family and friends, talk to your veterinarian, or speak with a professional grief counselor (references may be provided by Hearts & Halos upon request or call the ASPCA counselors at 877-GRIEF-10. If children are involved, decide how best to talk to them about the circumstances. Gather photos or memorabilia to help remember your treasured friend. Write a poem, create artwork, or compose a song to express your feelings. And when you’re ready, consider finding the love of another animal by adopting a pet.
Talking to a child about the death of a pet can be a daunting task for some parents. It is usually best to be as honest as possible, without going into more detail than your child requests. Using wording like “putting to sleep” can be confusing for some children. Therefore terms like “helping them to die” may be a clearer explanation of the euthanasia process.
Older or mature children may benefit from taking a more active part in this end-of-life experience, such as deciding where their pet would be most comfortable spending their final moments and allowing them to say goodbye in their own way. However, it is important to ensure that any children who witness their pet’s euthanasia understand that this procedure is a kind and loving end to the suffering they may be experiencing. Let them know that in your pet’s own special way, they let you know they were ready to pass on. Don’t be afraid to let your children know you are sad or miss your pet. This knowledge can help some children better accept the loss, say goodbye, and begin the process of recovering from their grief.
Miscellaneous
Because we must be available to pet parents on very short notice, Hearts & Halos only provides in-home euthanasia and aftercare services. However, we may be able to offer guidance in finding the right veterinary hospital for you.