Hospice Care & Euthanasia

Saying good-bye to a beloved pet is one of the most difficult situations a pet owner will ever encounter and deciding when it is time to say good-bye can be even more difficult. There may be a time when the capabilities of medical science have been exhausted and euthanasia is the only way to prevent an animal from suffering needlessly. However, the decision of humane euthanasia is fraught with medical, financial, ethical, religious, and moral considerations. Euthanasia is therefore a medical procedure that needs to be discussed (however painful that discussion may be) and considered thoroughly before a final decision is made.

Deciding when your pet may need hospice care or euthanasia is a very personal and private decision, but you do not have to make this difficult choice on your own. Our hospice and humane euthanasia services are conducted with respect, compassion, and care. Let us help you through this difficult time.

PET LOSS & BEREAVEMENT RESOURCE LINE
Lap of Love is honored to offer a complimentary national hotline available to those that are anticipating or grieving the loss of their beloved pet. We have been part of the end of life care community for many years and we want to help provide you with the support and comfort you need.

(855) 352-LOVE (5683)
Resource Line Hours: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm EST Monday through Friday

If you feel that you’re in distress or having thoughts about harming yourself please call:

2-1-1. A 24/7 national free and confidential service that helps you find the resources you need including crisis and emergency.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call (800) 273-8255. The lifeline offers 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress.

MENTAL HEALTH DISCLAIMER: Pet loss can trigger difficult emotional responses that warrant professional help which is beyond the scope and training of our Pet Loss Hotline. While we provide compassionate support, we are unable to evaluate human mental health issues and do not provide mental health counseling. The services of the Hotline are not intended to directly support or provide a substitute for definitive mental health care, especially in a crisis. Our services may be able to help you find a pet loss support group or other resources in your area but we cannot provide referrals to specific human mental health services.

WEBSITE RESOURCES

• 10 Ways to Heal After Losing a Pet
• Pet-Loss.net – Memorializing a Pet

WEBSITES FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN

• Helping Children Cope by Moira Anderson Allen M.E.d
• Grief Healing – Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FT, DCC (Distance Credentialed Counselor). The site offers a wide variety of grief healing related articles, a blog, discussion group and healing courses, including support for children
• RainbowBridge.com Grief Support Center: Children and Pet Loss

ACTIVITIES TO HELP GRIEVING CHILDREN AND IDEAS TO MEMORIALIZE THEIR PET

• Kidlutions: Remembering a Beloved Pet – Memorial worksheet to do with children.
• 5 Activities to Help Kids Cope with Pet Loss

CATS AND DOGS GRIEVE TOO

• Tips for Helping Your Surviving Pet Deal with a Loss
• Rainbowbridge.com – Do Pets Grieve?