Saying Goodbye at Home: Why I Chose At-Home Pet Euthanasia

Jack exploring the beach at Semaphore

There’s never a good time to lose a pet, but some times are worse than others. Last year my wife and I were driving along the side of the Moray Firth in the Highlands of Scotland frantically trying to get our camper van back to the rental company in time, when we got a phone call from one of my veterinary colleagues. Our dog, Jack, had had a flare up of pancreatitis. He’d had them before, and he’d always improved after a few days of treatment, but this time was different. I held onto hope that he’d get better - he was nearly 15 after all, and he’d overcome this before.

We got our flight home shortly after. I tried everything, but after 24 hours of no improvement, I had to make a tough call. It was time to put my best mate to sleep. It just wasn’t fair on him.

I opted for at-home euthanasia for my own dog. A vet colleague and friend came to the house, and Jack was put to sleep surrounded by everyone that loved him. It was peaceful, and he was in surroundings that he was familiar with.

There’s nothing wrong with going to a vet clinic to have your pet put to sleep. The staff there usually care more than you know, and they do their absolute best to make it as peaceful as possible. That being said, it’s not home. There’s often the sound of dogs barking in the background, and it might not be a place that allows you to to comfortably go through the motions of grief.  For me personally, I didn’t want to be around other people while dealing with this loss, and I wanted it to be as comfortable as possible for my pet.

For many families in Adelaide, home pet euthanasia offers a gentler way to say goodbye. It gives pets a peaceful, dignified passing, in surroundings they’re familiar with. It allows you to grieve privately without feeling rushed or uncomfortable.

Now that the dust has settled, I wouldn’t have changed it. I have his paw print on my wall, a locket of hair in the drawer, and a wealth of happy memories.

When I provide at home euthanasia in Adelaide, sedation is always included at no extra cost. It’s optional, and some pets don’t need it, but it’s there if it helps. You’ll never feel rushed, and I’ll give you the time and space that this moment deserves. We can arrange cremation for you, whether you’d like ashes returned or not. There’s no pressure to decide right away, and we’ll go at your pace.

If you’re facing the painful decision of saying goodbye and want to talk about it, please feel free to reach out. We’ll do everything we can to make sure your pet gets the end of the story they deserve.