How do I know I’m getting my pet’s ashes back?
Annie’s Healing Hearts maintains a permanent record of all cremations we handle. Every cremation process is issued a recorded number, which becomes a part of our permanent file and each cremation is handled with care and respect at all times. To make sure there is no confusion we attach a stainless steel tag to every animal entering into our care. This tag has a unique ID number on it that matches every log and each piece of corresponding paperwork. This tag follows your pet through the entire process and is returned with the ashes.
Do You Offer Euthanasia Services?
Euthanasia must be performed by a licensed veterinarian. Many families have reservations about euthanizing their pet at a clinic or hospital especially if their pet has strong anxiety or phobias about visits to the Veterinarian. There are other alternatives to clinic euthanasia. First ask your regular veterinarian if he or she is able to do a home euthanasia for your pet when the time is right. Euthanasia in a more private environment is often times more intimate and calming for you and your pet. If your home environment offers a safe, quiet and comfortable atmosphere then home euthanasia might be preferable to taking your pet into a veterinary clinic. Having a conversation with your veterinarian about euthanasia options can be very beneficial in that it avoids uncertainty and helps with better planning. Ask your vet if he or she will make a home visit for this purpose. If your vet does not offer this service and it is important to you, we can help you find one who does. Click here to visit our Partnering Vets Page.
Also talk with your vet about pre-sedating which will put your pet in a deep sleep and will give you a chance to say your final goodbye without concern for their fear or discomfort.
Why Cremation?
Just as we pay tribute to a departed human, many people would like to do something special for their faithful pet. There are a number of reasons why pet cremation has become the preferred choice.
As with humans cremation the process is clean, safe and dignified. Pet cremation also offers the flexibility to keep your pet’s cremains close to you and your family now and in the event that you should move to distant location.
Alternatively, with pet cremation you can disperse their ashes at your leisure and in the location of your choice.
What types of Cremation are available?
Private: The term “Private Cremation” means that your pet will be set apart individually from other animals at all times during the cremation process. The ashes, also, will be set apart individually and returned to you in our complementary urn. This is a dignified process and your pet’s privacy is assured at all times.
General/Communal: “General” or “Communal” cremation implies that your pet is cremated along with other animals and the ashes are not returned to you. Your pet’s ashes are not separated from the others.
What is Hospice care for my pet?
Unknown to many is the fact that hospice is not a “place” to die but rather a philosophy as to how one approaches end-of-life care. Choosing hospice care at the end of human life can be an exceptionally challenging decision because in accepting that care, most people must forgo potential life-saving measures.
This necessity isn’t present in the consideration of animal hospice care but the concept is the same. Offering your pet hospice care means ensuring that they live their life to the fullest without concern for the length of their stay. Hospice care neither hastens death nor prolongs life but rather embraces comfort and quality of life as priority while allowing the normal end-of-life process to unfold. This decision may feel more holistic and, for some pet owners, might be the preferable choice. Still it will be a journey…although possibly a very rewarding one…for you and your pet…and for the further bond that may come of this chosen path.
If considering this option, ask your vet how he or she might help you with palliative (comfort) care that will allow your pet to pass pain free and naturally— in the time best revealed by your pet’s wisdom of body and essence of spirit.
Please feel free to contact us at 541-408-6925
