At Oradell Animal Hospital, we care for your pets the same way we care for our own. Oradell Animal Hospital is honored to offer End-of-Life services, as well as guidance and support when it is time to support your beloved companion during the final moments prior to transition. We support you every step of the way; whether it is during aging, illness, dying, or death.
The phrase End-of-Life Care can also be referred to as palliative or hospice care. It is the time frame leading up to our pet’s passing and immediately after their passing.
Euthanasias can take place at any of Oradell Animal Hospital’s three locations in Paramus, Fort Lee, or Hasbrouck Heights. Whether you schedule an appointment or not, our staff is here to guide and support you throughout this difficult journey.
The following are examples of four different scenarios that may characterize your experience during a euthanasia appointment, hospitalization, or for a walk-in euthanasia request through our Emergency department. Our standards of care for euthanasia demonstrate our commitment to clinical excellence that include but extend beyond the veterinary standards put forth by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Your family’s privacy and your pet’s comfort are very important to us. After checking in, you and your companion will be escorted to a quiet, private room, with clean bedding or a bed for your pet. You’re welcome to bring any favorite toys, treats, or bedding from home if you feel it will make your experience more comfortable.
While you take a moment to review the paperwork, your pet will be gently cared for in our treatment area for placement of an intravenous catheter and then returned to you. Your veterinarian will answer any questions, discuss your beliefs and wishes, and honor your plan for your pet’s aftercare. We support you every step of the way. You and your family are welcome to spend as much time needed to say your goodbyes both before and after your pet’s passing.
This can be an incredibly emotional time, and some families – especially those with young children or those who feel they cannot bear to witness their pet’s passing – may choose not to remain for the entire process. Whatever your circumstances, please know that when the time comes, your beloved companion will be cared for and surrounded by our dedicated staff.
Prior to the euthanasia process, you will be able to spend time with your pet, go over the necessary paperwork, and speak with your veterinarian. Once all your questions have been answered and you are ready, your pet will be taken back to a private section of our treatment area where the euthanasia process will take place.
You have options at this point:
We believe that compassionate care includes treating your pet as if they are our own.
You will have time with your pet prior to euthanasia services to review the necessary paperwork and speak with your veterinarian. Due to their unique anatomy, the euthanasia process for exotic species differs from that of cats and dogs. Because of this, families are not always permitted to be present for the administration of euthanasia medication.
When you are ready, your pet will be taken to a private section in our treatment area and our dedicated staff will be with them in their final moments. If you wish to spend extra time with your pet after their passing, a team member will reunite you with them in the room.
There may be unpredictable medical circumstances that force a decision to humanely euthanize your beloved companion during hospitalization and when you are not able to be in the building. We acknowledge how unsettling and painful this may feel. Although we always strive to provide time and space for a family to be present with their pet, nature does not always comply with our plans.
In the uncommon incidence of a pet beginning their transition to death in our care, we will call you immediately. If your request is to euthanize, you will be asked to repeat your wishes to another veterinarian that we will put on the phone as a witness. We then provide services for your companion just as we would if you were in the building, as if your pet is our pet.
Aftercare arrangements refer to the next steps following the passing of your beloved companion. The most common method of aftercare in the veterinary field is cremation. Cremations are carried out using a traditional flame-based procedure, which has been the standard of care for centuries.
While some families opt for cremation, others choose burials, or even more environmentally friendly methods such as aquamation.
At Oradell Animal Hospital’s Paramus location, we are very fortunate to have dedicated staff to help you with your beloved companion’s aftercare arrangements. We do not bill directly for individual disposition/aftercare. We will call you and explain your options, as well as inform you about the process of cremains retrieval and payment to the crematorium. We understand how difficult this conversation can be and strive to provide all the resources you may need to navigate this process.
We understand how deeply the loss of a pet can affect a family, and we are grateful to offer complimentary bereavement resources to help during this difficult time. Oradell Animal Hospital provides two types of support groups to help families process their grief and find comfort.
For those who prefer more in-depth, in-person support, we provide a complementary eight-week counseling program held weekly at our Paramus location. This group provides a safe space to process grief and connect with others experiencing similar loss.
For upcoming dates and registration, please click here.
Our child-focused bereavement groups are designed to help young members of our community express their feelings in a safe, supportive environment. We also offer art workshops where children can create a meaningful keepsake to honor their pet.
For upcoming dates and registration, please click here.
If you’re seeking additional grief support, we encourage you to explore resources such as Pet Meadow’s Pet Loss Support Services and the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, both of which offer compassionate guidance and virtual support options.
We understand that you may have certain wishes that include scheduling in-home end-of-life services.
For more information regarding services available to you, please feel free to visit the resources below:
The Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement is a non-profit, globally run organization that serves as a resource for pet families of all walks of life, whether they are seeking more information regarding end-of-life care or support following the passing of a beloved companion.
Please feel free to look through their book recommendations and state-by-state lists of additional support services they offer:
