This is to help and advise you on what to do and how to deal with pet bereavement.
Sadly, the loss of a pet is an inevitable part of pet ownership. However, clients are often not fully prepared and unaware of what can be offered to them at this time.
All of the team at the Practice are able to discuss with you what options are available, all of which can relate to this difficult time. Many people, understandably, appreciate the privacy and time to think about what is appropriate for their personal circumstances.
We are able to offer a ‘Put to Sleep’ either in your home or at the Practice. We can sedate pets in order to make this less stressful for both you and your pet. We use an overdose of anaesthetic in which the pet drifts slowly off to sleep. It is a very calm process and your pet will not be in any pain or distress. You can choose to be with your pet whilst this is done, or we can do this with your consent and in your absence. We will do what is right for you – there is no right or wrong choice. Afterwards, you can elect to have your pet cremated individually, communally or you can take them home for burial. If you choose to have an individual cremation, you can take their ashes away as a scatter box or as an individually engraved box or urn.
Reactions to bereavement vary from person to person depending on a number of factors, such as the specific relationship you had with your pet, the length of ownership, the circumstances surrounding the death, the support system for yourself etc. For some people, it may result in a few days of sadness and tears. For others, the impact of the loss may be greater and feelings of sadness, despair, loneliness and even depression may last for several weeks or even months. In such cases, the Pet Bereavement Support Service is a free support line which can be contacted at 0800 096 6606 or pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk
We will always endeavour to make the time available to help empathise and reassure you at this sad and difficult time.