EUTHANASIA & PALLIATIVE CARE

A Compassionate Farewell

Saying goodbye to a beloved companion is one of the hardest moments a pet owner will ever face.

At Quality Veterinary Care Centre (QVCC), our focus during this time is on ensuring your pet's final moments are gentle, peaceful, and respectful. We have meticulously designed our process, from our non-clinical Quiet Room to our private entry and exit protocols, to provide you and your family with the privacy, time, and dignity needed to say a final farewell. We are here to guide you through the difficult decisions around palliative care and to ensure the final act of kindness is handled with the gold standard of compassion.

PALLIATIVE CARE: FOCUSING ON QUALITY OF LIFE

The journey toward end-of-life care often begins with managing a chronic or terminal condition. Our Palliative Care services are focused on supporting both your pet's comfort and your journey as an owner.

Guided Comfort Management

Palliative care aims to provide maximum comfort and happiness for pets who no longer have curative treatment options. Our team provides ongoing guidance on:

Pain Management

Tailored medication plans to manage discomfort (e.g., arthritis pain, tumour pain) effectively.

Mobility Support

Discussing aids and adjustments needed around the home.

Nutritional Support

Ensuring the pet maintains interest in eating and receives essential calories.

Emotional Support

Helping you assess your pet’s daily happiness and quality of life.

When Is the Right Time?

This is the hardest decision, and we will never make it for you, but we will guide you through the process. We encourage you to focus on your pet's quality of life, looking for signs such as:

Lack of Interest: Not greeting you, avoiding favourite activities (walks, toys).

Pain or Illness: Symptoms that can no longer be controlled with medication.

Basic Function: Difficulty standing, persistent incontinence, or breathing difficulties.

We encourage open discussion with our vets to help you make an informed decision when the time for euthanasia is the kindest option.

THE COMPASSIONATE EUTHANASIA PROCESS

We have implemented specific protocols designed to remove unnecessary stress and allow you to focus entirely on your pet during this difficult time.

The Non-Clinical Quiet Room

To avoid the sterile, cold feeling of a clinic room, we conduct the procedure in our specially designated Quiet Room.

Home-Like Setting: This room is set up more like a comfortable lounge room, providing a warm, non-clinical setting for you to spend your final moments with your pet.

Privacy Assured: The room is situated away from the busy parts of the hospital.

Removing Stress and Anxiety

We focus on two major areas of stress—logistics and finances—so you can focus on grief.

Private Entry and Exit: Clients have the option to bypass the main reception and waiting area entirely. You can phone us from the car park and be escorted through a discreet back entrance directly to the Quiet Room.

Payment Done Beforehand: All consent forms and payments are organised before the procedure begins. This ensures that once the procedure is complete, you can focus on your pet and grieving without the necessity of handling financial transactions.

The Procedure

Our team ensures the procedure itself is as smooth and peaceful as possible:

Initial Sedation: Often, an initial sedative is given to calm your pet, allow them to relax, and fall into a deep, peaceful sleep before the final injection is administered.
Presence: You are welcome and encouraged to stay with your pet for the entire procedure, or you may choose to say your goodbyes beforehand.

Time and Space: You will be given ample, unlimited time and space in the Quiet Room afterwards to sit with your pet and begin your grieving process.

AFTERCARE OPTIONS AND TAKE-HOME SUPPORT

Our care extends beyond the procedure, ensuring your final arrangements are handled respectfully and compassionately.

Aftercare Arrangements

Once you are ready to leave, you can exit directly through the private back entrance, avoiding the rest of the hospital. We manage all aftercare according to your wishes:

Home Burial: If you choose to take your pet home, we prepare them respectfully. They are placed in a hand-sewn fabric bag, and a team member will discreetly bring them out to your car while you wait.
Cremation Services: We manage the entire cremation process for you, liaising with a trusted cremation company. You can collect your pet's ashes from our hospital when they are ready, taking care of all logistics.
Keepsakes: We do provide a clipping of hair in a glass bottle. We also include a small candle.

Home Euthanasia Option

We understand that for some pets (especially nervous dogs or those with mobility issues), being in their familiar environment is the kindest option.

Familiar Setting: We offer home euthanasias when requested, allowing your pet to pass peacefully in their own home. We aim to facilitate this within a few days of the request.

Grief Resources

We provide written advice on the grieving process that you can take home. We encourage you to read this when you are in a better emotional state to take in the information, ensuring you feel supported even after you have left our care.

FAQS ABOUT END-OF-LIFE CARE

Can I arrange everything over the phone and only come in for the procedure?

How do you ensure my pet doesn't experience pain during the euthanasia?

Why do you provide written grief advice?

Why is it important to have payment done before the procedure?