A pet often becomes like a member of the family, a sibling, a child or a friend. As a result, losing a pet to tragedy or disease can be one of the most overwhelming experiences of your life. It’s a time to honor the life your pet lived and to carry on in their memory.
We at VCA Mission Animal and Bird Hospital have loved many, many pets and have also lost some. We’ve gone through many of the feelings that owners go through when their pet is gone and we want to reach out to our clients and help them through that difficult time as gently and as supportively as we can.
Long before the time comes, we encourage an open discussion of the many options to keep your pet as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. It starts with a discussion between you and our doctors, so that they have a full understanding of what your goals are for pet during his or her elder years. We can begin to discuss an overall plan, which includes medications and other treatment modalities (such as laser treatment, acupuncture, etc.) for comfort and pain control, hospice care and “final goodbyes.”
Our on-site “comfort room”, designed to give you a personalized and separate place to spend time appreciating the time you spend with your pet.
When the time comes, we will be there for you. Painless euthanasia can be performed either at the hospital in our beautiful “Comfort Room” (left) or in the comfort of your own home. We can provide several options for aftercare, including cremation with return of ashes.
Lastly, we have a number of resources for those who want or need to speed to speak with professionals regarding your loss and grief. It’s not always an easy decision to say “goodbye” to a furry loved one, but rest assured that in our hands, we will do everything in our power to make sure your pet is taken care of just as if they were our very own.