End-of-life Care

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest decisions a family can face. Whether your pet is getting older, has a serious illness, or is no longer enjoying life, understanding your options can help you make the most compassionate decision for your pet and your family.

There is no “right” way to handle the end of a pet’s life. Every family, every pet, and every situation is different.

Emergency Veterinary Care

If your pet is actively suffering, having trouble breathing, experiencing uncontrolled bleeding, or appears to be in severe distress, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. See a list of emergency hospitals here.

When Should I Start Thinking About End-of-Life Care?

If you’re unsure, ask your veterinarian about a quality-of-life assessment. They can help you understand your pet’s condition and discuss available options. If you don’t have a veterinarian, take a look at our page on resources for pet owners to help you find a clinic that can help. If you believe your pet is actively suffering and you cannot afford care, you can surrender them to ACCT Philly for humane euthanasia. You will not be able to be with them or get their remains back, but this is an option if you do not have an alternative.

If you are unsure what to do next, start by talking with a veterinarian. You do not have to go through this alone. If you don’t have a veterinarian or cannot afford one, reach out to our help desk so we can see how we can help. You can fill a request for assistance here

It may be time to talk with a veterinarian if your pet is experiencing:

  • Chronic pain or discomfort
  • Difficulty standing, walking, or getting around
  • Trouble breathing
  • Loss of appetite or refusal to eat
  • Frequent vomiting or diarrhea
  • Incontinence or inability to get outside
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • More bad days than good days

Keeping them comfortable

Not every pet needs immediate euthanasia. Some families choose hospice or comfort-focused care to keep their pet comfortable for as long as possible. However it is important to make sure your pet is not in pain

Comfort care may include:

  • Pain medication
  • Special diets (you may start to feed them chicken and rice if their stomach gets upset, or wet food if they are having trouble chewing their food or soak their kibble in water to make it soft)
  • Mobility assistance (you may use a towel like a sling under the belly when you walk them to help them get around better)
  • Home modifications (you may put up a baby gate so that they can’t go down a set of stairs and hurt themselves)
  • Increased monitoring

The goal is to maximize comfort and quality of life, not necessarily to cure an illness.

Humane euthanasia

Euthanasia is a peaceful, painless procedure performed by a veterinarian when a pet is suffering or has a poor quality of life. During the procedure, your pet is given medication that allows them to fall asleep and pass peacefully.

Many families choose euthanasia when:

  • Pain can no longer be controlled
  • Treatment is no longer helping
  • Their pet is no longer able to enjoy normal activities
  • Their pet’s suffering outweighs their quality of life

Choosing euthanasia is never easy, but it can be a final act of kindness when a pet is suffering.

Letting them pass on their own

Many loving pet owners believe that allowing a pet to die naturally is the gentlest choice. In reality, natural death from disease, organ failure, cancer, or advanced age is often accompanied by discomfort and distress.

Veterinarians frequently recommend euthanasia not because there are no other options, but because they want to prevent unnecessary suffering. A peaceful, painless euthanasia can spare a pet from pain, fear, and physical decline that may occur during the natural dying process.

Choosing euthanasia does not mean giving up on your pet, it means prioritizing their comfort when recovery is no longer possible.

What if I can't afford it?

Many Philadelphia pet owners face difficult financial decisions when a pet becomes seriously ill.

If cost for medical care is a concern, look at our page on help for sick pets. 

Not every medical procedure is financially possible, and that does not make you a bad pet owner. A veterinarian can help you understand the options that fit your circumstances.

Euthanasia can also be expensive, but there are low cost options available on this webpage. If you or someone your pet knows can be with them when they pass, it will make it much less stressful than if the pet is with strangers. You can contact our helpdesk@acctphilly.org for help as well. Unfortunately if brought to ACCT Philly, while we can humanely euthanize your pet, you’re not able to be with them.

Communal Cremation

Multiple pets are cremated together, and ashes are not returned. This is often the most affordable option. You can also ask for the body of your pet, and bring him or her to ACCT Philly where for a small fee we will send them off for communal cremation.

Private Cremation

Your pet is cremated individually, and not with any other animals. The ashes are then returned to you in an urn or container that you select in advance. e

Philadelphia area resources

Pet euthanasia, cremation and aftercare

Most veterinary clinics offer cremation if they offer euthanasia as a service.

In-Home Euthanasia Services

Some families prefer their pet’s final moments to take place at home. While these services do cost more, they can help make the passing easier on family members and the pet. It is more expensive then doing it in a clinic, and costs vary depending on the pet’s size and any additional services needed such as private cremation. Below are a few service providers. ACCT Philly does not endorse these service providers, we simply list them as a resource.

• Lap of Love serves the Philadelphia area and provides in-home euthanasia and hospice consultations. Prices generally run between $500-$1000. Visit their website here.

• Love & Dignity offers in-home euthanasia, quality-of-life consultations, and cremation support for many Philadelphia-area families. They serve Center City, Manayunk, Northeast Philadelphia, University City, and Chestnut Hill. The cost starts at $490 not including cremation. Visit their website here.

• HomeHeart Vets provides in-home euthanasia and grief-support resources. Visit their website here.

Coping With Grief

Losing a pet is a real loss. Pets are family members, companions, and sources of comfort.

You may feel:

  • Sadness
  • Guilt
  • Anger
  • Loneliness
  • Relief that your pet is no longer suffering

All of these feelings are normal.

Take time to grieve, talk with family and friends, and remember that asking for help is okay. There are also online support groups through services like Lap of Love.

The goal is not to make a perfect decision. The goal is to make the most compassionate decision you can with the information and resources available to you.ng your pet a  new ho

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