Frequently Asked Questions & Resources

  • Why euthanasia?

    Euthanasia is a gentle, compassionate way to end an animal's life and relieve its suffering. Diseases commonly experienced by pets such as arthritis and chronic kidney disease can lead to a prolonged, painful end-of-life process where death by natural means comes long after a pet's qualiy of life has severely deteriorated. Euthanasia allows us to say goodbye to our pets before they suffer too much from a terminal or chronic disease.

  • How do I know when it's time?

    Saying goodbye to a pet is never easy, and knowing when is difficult, as it is extremely personal and dependent on many factors. While you know your pet best, it can be challenging to determine the right time to say goodbye. 


    Signs that may indicate it is time include: 

    • Lack of interest in food or water
    • Inability to stand or walk on their own
    • New-onset incontinence (accidents in the house), or being unable to eliminate without falling down
    •  No longer wanting to do the things they enjoy
    • No longer greeting you when you come home
    • Lack of interest in playing
    • Lack of grooming in cats and some dogs
    • Changes in attitude 
    • Isolation from the family or other pets in the household
    • Having more bad days than good ones
    • Progression of a terminal disease

    If you are interested in a more structured assessment of quality of life, there are several scales available that can aid in determining how well a pet is doing.

    • The Ohio State University has developed a comprehensive guide on assessing quality of life and end of life decisionmaking. The worksheet on page 6 is especially helpful. See the guide here.
    • The HHHHHMM Scale for quality of life was developed by Dr. Alice Villalobos. The letters stand for hurt, hunger, hydration, hygeine, happiness, mobility, and more good days than bad; the pet caregiver assigns a score in each of these categories and the total sum of the scores is used to determine whether a pet has acceptable quality of life. An example of the scale is available here.
    • The J-O-U-R-N-E-Y-S Quality of Life Scale was developed by Dr. Katie Willett. Similar to the HHHHHMM Scale, the scale aids pet caretakers in considering their pet's quality of life by scoring the pet on a scale of 1 to 10 in 8 areas including mobility, pain, appetite, and more. An example of this scale is available here.

    We are also happy to offer a formal consultation on your pet's quality of life, where you can discuss your pet's overall health and wellbeing with our doctor (see Pricing & Services). 

  • What is the process like?

    After discussing your situation and your pet's needs, an appointment will be set. At the time of your appointment we will arrive at your home. We will discuss the euthanasia process, help you choose aftercare, and answer any questions you may have. When you are ready, an injectable sedative will be administered under your pet's skin; this will allow them to gently fall into a deep sleep. Once your pet is asleep, an injection of euthanasia solution will be given to end their life. The doctor will listen to the heart to ensure your pet has passed. When you are ready, your pet will be wrapped in a blanket and transported by us for cremation, unless you elect to bury your pet. 

  • Where should the appointment take place?

    Generally: we're comfortable where you're comfortable. The best place is wherever your pet wants to be in your home, whether that is the living room floor, their bed, or outside on a blanket. 

  • Who should be present at the appointment?

    We welcome all members of the family during the appointment and trust your judgement when it comes to including any children during the euthanasia appointment. Other pets are welcome to be present during the appointment.


    Children younger than 5 often do not understand the concept that death is permanent, and their presence may make the experience more stressful for their parents. We want you to be able to focus on your pet, and if taking care of children will distract from your moments with your pet, we suggest that they not be present during the appointment.

  • Do I need to do anything to prepare for the appointment?

    If your pet is comfortable and mobile, it is ideal to have them use the bathroom before our arrival (but this is not a requirement). 

  • What if I want to bury my pet at home?

    In Eddy County, it is generally legal to bury a pet on private residential property that you own as long as there are no health hazards or nuisance caused by it. There still could be county, city, or HOA ordinances that override this, however. You will need to check your county, city, and community ordinances for restrictions. 


    To protect human, animal, and environmental health, please follow these guidelines:

        • Euthanized pet remains are poisonous and possibly deadly to other animals who would ingest it, including other pets and wildlife.

        • Buried animals must not come in contact with any surface bodies of water or groundwater including inland lakes, streams, rivers, open drains. They must not be located within 200 feet of any stream or groundwater and 500 feet from a well used to supply potable drinking water. A deceased animal may leak body fluids after passing. 

        • An adequate depth is 3-5 feet. This is deep enough to prevent other animals investigating the area. At least 2 feet of soil should be on top of the body. If this depth is not attainable, it is important to cover the hole with a large rock or wire to prevent digging by wildlife. 

        • Deceased animals should not be buried in sandy soils, black land, rocky soil, flood land or around home foundation. 

        • Before digging, call your local utilities office to come mark your yard. There may be gas lines or water lines buried underground. 

        • Sprinkle about 1 cup of lime powder (calcium hydroxide) at the bottom of the hole and about 1 cup on top. Lime can be purchased at most hardware or livestock feed stores. 

        • If you elect to have your pet cremated then buried, using an organic soil mixture along with the cremains will create a nutrient-rich mixture that will benefit the earth and help plants around the burial site flourish. Burying cremains with no mixture can be too concentrated in carbon to allow for proper growth. 

        • If you need to delay the burial, you may want to place your pet’s body in an airtight plastic container and put your pet in a refrigerator or freezer. 

  • Resources for Grieving