This was in the Washington Post yesterday.
Great article! I absolutely want in home euthanasia when the time comes for my guys. (hopefully that is a long time from now, though)
I have a mobile vet now, but I carry the cats (in their carriers) to their van in the driveway, but they will come inside for some things, such as vaccinations for the masses. 
I would much rather they be comfortable in their own home, surrounded by the familiar, than be in a vets office where they’re scared for that final time.
I hope that this idea grows and everyone will have the option of in home euthanasia to make for their companions.
Our farm vet used to euthanize at home, our great dane in a nice full clean bedded stall she claimed as her own in the barn when she was so old and stiff she was not getting up any more.
That is sure easier than others we had to take to their clinic, as our old toy poodle, that was in liver failure at the end.
My vet will fortunately come to the house, but he requests a 24-hour notice, and he said “That will be the longest 24 hours of your life.” He will try his best to come the same day, but warned that he might not be able to.
Important info
Thank you for the info: I bookmarked the Directory. I absolutely want in-home euth but am still unsure how available it will be. It being a Post article I was hopeful for local resources. My back-up plan is to euth in the grass behind the vet’s after hours or at the very least in my car in the parking lot: anywhere but inside.
I am glad more people are thinking of this. My old man starts shaking when he sees the office door. New vet commented she has never seen pupils stay that dilated for that long. I have to remain in his eyesight at all times: he stares at me with those terrified eyes, his whole body shaking fiercely. 
That will not be the last thing he experiences before death. If I have to rush him in for an emergency euth, I promise I will raise holy he!! in order to have it done anywhere but inside that very scary place. :no:
Most of the vets in our area will do in home euth if asked they will often charge extra for it although I’ve never gotten a bill from my vet for in office euthanasia. My boss had both of his elderly german shorthair pointers euthanized at home. If I was in a situation where I was able to plan for it then I think that’s what I would do too. I always bring them home to bury them anyhow.
Many vets, especially if you’re a long-time client, will perform this service at your home. Just ask.
I had my 13 year-old beloved ACD euthanized at home. It was the only service that the vet performed outside of her clinic—and it was her preferred way of euthanizing. It was very peaceful.
I tried to back pedal that morning, phoning her office to call it off—she talked some sense into me. The dog had cancer and degenerative myelitis and could no longer muster the strength to get into her wheelchair. It’s a good thing the vet showed up at my place, because I didn’t have the emotional strength to get over to her office.
sometimes, sometimes not
I did at home with an elderly cat years ago. Unfortunately, I’ve had two since that were at the vets for treatments before making the decision. In those cases, it didn’t seem right to put it off. I hope all my future animals can stay at home.
My small animal vet will euthanize pets in the home.
I’m so thankful for this service.
Just had our 16 year old wolf hybrid rescue euthanized here at home by our vet a few days ago. It’s definitely preferable to taking them to a strange or scary place like the vet’s office.
I am grateful to my vet for being willing to do this.
It is so nice that this is becoming the trend. The only animals that we have that were not done at home were ones where we thought they had a shot at treatment at the office or clinic.
We recently had our dog put down, she had tumors in her shoulders and was very weak and in a lot of pain. When the vet came she was already sleeping in her bed, so he was able to do it without even waking her up. It was still sad though, the other dogs were all outside looking in the window and they started barking at the vet when he went up to her like they knew what was happening. Animals are so much more intelligent then they credit for.
my vet offers this service as well, we opted to do an in office appointment for Whiskey due to him not being afraid of the vet office and the fact that they did a field necropsy to try to find out why he was dying and yet nothing obvious was found
I just had my beloved 15 year old dog put down at home last Friday. I was surprised to learn that our vet does this all the time, and the cost was very reasonable. It was very peaceful, and our dog passed away in his own bed, surrounded by me, my husband, and our kids.
We did in home on my dal…a wonderful equine vet came to my house and helped me. I did not want to take him to the vet’s office…that was a very stressful place for him…I wanted him to go peacefully at home…and he did. The hardest part was, taking his lifeless body to the crematory…I still well up with tears thinking back to it and that was 2005.
Our two elderly rottweilers were euthanized at home, about 4 months apart, and I’m so, so glad it could happen that way. One had a terribly arthritic knee, and could no longer climb into the car. The thought of having to convince her to let us hoist her up in a blanket only to be taken away from her home of 12 years to die on a steel table…Just couldn’t stomach it. Instead, she got a full steak, infinite cookies, and love and snuggles on her doggie bed, and hey! Her friend Dr. Brian came by full of cool smells and more treats. And that’s all she knew.
Our other old lady had an inoperable tumour that, up until the day of her death, had just slowed her down a little. One night, she went to bed as usual, and the next morning she was done. Wouldn’t get up, not even for food or a pee. Again, the thought of hauling her off her sofa into the car to the vet’s was too much, and our wonderful vet was there within the hour. She didn’t want any treats, but she was snuggled in her blanket (she loved to be tucked in at night) and got a ton of love and snuggles from all her dog, cat, and human friends. I can’t imagine it another way.
Oh, I do miss those two grand old girls. :sadsmile:
Sheena: tucked up and in costume, her very favourite:
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208988_1008124736607_1629609197_18606_953_n.jpg
ugh…it has been almost two months since I lost my Rory dog and I am just crying reading this. We ended up doing it in the back of our SUV in the parking lot and the vet took her body when we were ready; a week later I went to pick up her ashes…
Nice to know it is on the rise. I worked in a kennel as my first job and distinctly remember the pets I was on hand for the PTS, and only one was at home. The vet and I lost it back in the car when we left…it was so peaceful and heartwarming too…
I think for our JRT we will ask to do it at home? She is terrified of the vets office but is also a biter so no matter what we do it will be stressful (prob will have to drug her as I can’t imagine doing that with a muzzle on her). Unfortunately I see this happening in our near future (she is 14) with a recent downward trend in eating… Maybe if not our regular vet our equine vet will.
My wonderful vet offered in-home to my very old (19), very, VERY opinionated strong-willed kitty. Unfortunately kitty fought the entire time up to her last breath :sadsmile:, but I’m sure that it was still less stressful than having to go to the clinic.
I miss that dear old kitty everyday, but am also very thankful to my vet for offering this service. If at all possible I will be doing with all of my pets when their time comes.
If your small animal vet will not come to your house to euthanize your little critter, ask your large animal vet. Mine came out on Memorial Day Sunday to put Riana down, when I was not able to reach any of my small animal people.
We have never taken any of our animals to the vet for euthanasia and are more than willing to pay extra for them to come here. We are blessed with a fabulous vet (Dr. Brian Garrett for local NC peeps)who takes care of all our creatures great and small, and has been gracious to come out and gently help them over the Rainbow Bridge when needed.
Last week we finally put down our 15 yr old BC Bracken who has been blind deaf and arthritic for a while but still wanted to chase the ball. When he had to be carried to the barn and then just lay quietly on a pile of horse blankets, we knew it was time.
All the other dogs were able to pay their respects before we buried him next to the barn with a collection of sticks and balls…and DH said a special prayer asking Jesus to throw them for him when he arrived. A great dog, a life well lived.
