Say goodbye on your terms
And honour the life you lived together.
Make their passing as peaceful as can be.
Reduce their stress and surround them with the people they love.
In-home euthanasia is a process that happens on your terms. It is more comfortable for your pet, who doesn’t have to endure the stress or discomfort of travel. In-home euthanasia also gives you the opportunity to surround them with all their favourite people and things, making their last moments as happy as all the other ones you shared together.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Euthanasia Process
Before your appointment, our team will review your pet's history and take the time to answer any questions you may have.
During the appointment, we will do everything we can to make the experience calm, and free of both pain and fear. We will give your pet a sedative injection that will help them to gently ease into a deep sleep. We will place an IV catheter or use an alternative method to administer two more injections, which will allow them to pass peacefully.
Once we confirm that they have passed, you can take all the time you need to say goodbye. We schedule an hour for your appointment, but every patient and family is different. So we will stay for as long as you need.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Afterwards
Once you have taken the time you need to say goodbye, if you would like, we can keep your pet in our care.
We will respectfully transport your pet to the Watermark Hospice Centre and either see them through the Aquamation process, or make arrangements for traditional cremation on your behalf. The choice is yours.
Then, as per your wishes, we will return their ashes to you, the earth, or the sea.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The Potato Memorial Fund
In memory of our beloved Potato, The Potato Memorial Fund provides crucial financial assistance to pet owners struggling to afford end-of-life services.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We know that emotionally speaking, there will never be a right time. Deciding to euthanize your beloved companion is arguably one of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make. When we approach this question, we aim to help you assess your pet’s quality of life, then let that guide your decision-making.
If your pet has a good quality of life, it could be that medical, lifestyle or environmental changes (or all three!) are what is needed to help them live more comfortably, and with hope, for longer. If quality of life is no longer present, we can support you through the process of making the very difficult decision.
There are two ways to determine your pet’s quality of life:
A Quality of Life Assessment that you can complete yourself
A Quality of Life Consultation with a Veterinarian
A Quality of Life Assessment can be a helpful way to objectively assess your pet's comfort, happiness, and overall well-being. There are many scales and assessments available online. Two that we recommend are:Both provide PDFs that you can easily print at home and go through on your own time.
A Quality of Life Consultation gives you the opportunity to talk with, ask questions, and seek advice from Dr. Schwartz directly. Together, you will discuss your pet’s overall health status and the factors that determine quality of life for your pet. The discussion will be aimed at preparing you for the very difficult end of life process and all available options for you and your pet.
LEARN MORE ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE CONSULTATIONS -
You have choice in what happens afterward.
If you need more time, we can help guide you on how to keep your pet at home for longer. Or if you would prefer, we can respectfully transport your pet to the Watermark Hospice Centre and facilitate whichever cremation service you select (water cremation or traditional, flame-cremation). Either way, we will guide you through the process so that you feel supported, every step of the way.
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The total cost for an in-home euthanasia is $425 plus all applicable taxes. This fee includes the home visit, in-person assessment, pre-medication and sedation, euthanasia, and transportation to the Watermark Hospice Centre.
In-home euthanasia requests beyond a 20km radius from the Watermark facility, after hour requests or visits that require extra staffing may incur an additional fee.
Aquamation and other aftercare options are not included and would be in additional to this fee.
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In terms of aftercare options, you have choices. You can select from cremation—either water cremation (Aquamation) or traditional, flame-cremation, or burial in permitted areas.
Watermark is pleased to provide Aquamation aftercare services at our Hospice Centre in Vancouver.
Alternatively, for traditional or flame-based cremation, we are partnered with Gateway, and would be happy to make cremation arrangements with them on your behalf.
Although it is prohibited to bury a pet in Vancouver and Victoria proper, many rural areas do allow it. If burial is your desired aftercare option, we recommend that you contact your local municipality to see what the legislation is in your area.
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You can reach out to us through our Contact Page or email us at: info@watermarkpethospice.ca. We will get in touch to learn more about your pet and to see how we can help.
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Yes, we offer financial assistance through The Potato Memorial Fund, a donation-based fund created to provide partial or full support for euthanasia and cremation services. We understand how difficult this time is, and our goal is to help ease the burden on families in need.
If you would like to apply for assistance, please reach out to us at info@watermarkpethospice.ca or visit our Contact Page. We are here to support you and your pet through this challenging time.
Please note that while we strive to assist as many families as possible, the fund is a limited resource, and we may not be able to provide support for every application.
Give them the goodbye they deserve.
An in-home euthanasia reduces your pet’s stress and allows them to pass peacefully in their favourite place, surrounded by the people who love them.