A beautiful ending for a beautiful life
Peaceful at home pet euthanasia, cremation, and comprehensive end-of-life care proudly serving all five boroughs of New York City. When it's time to say goodbye, let our team of compassionate veterinarians be your steady guide.
How can we support you today?
Schedule home euthanasia
Ready to say goodbye in the comfort of your home? Submit an intake request, and our team will be in touch shortly to coordinate.
I need medical guidance
Unsure if it’s time? Exploring options for additional comfort? Schedule a teleconsult with a compassionate veterinarian for expert guidance and clarity.
I don't know where to start
This journey can be lonely and overwhelming. Explore our resources and learn more about services to help you navigate this dark time.
Our Mission
Pricing
At Home Pet Euthanasia - $499
Our home euthanasia process is unhurried, gentle, and deeply peaceful. Our veterinarian will arrive quietly and meet your pet wherever they feel most comfortable - on their favorite bed, a cozy blanket, or right in your lap.
We begin with a sedative, allowing your pet to drift into a deep, comfortable sleep over about ten minutes. Then we administer a second medication which allows them to pass.
A handmade clay pawprint and a lock of fur are included as a keepsake. If you elect cremation, you will have time for a final, private goodbye, after which we handle transport with the utmost dignity and care.
- Weekends and evenings, certain locations with extended travel, and pets > 100 lbs are subject to an additional fee.
- Behavioral euthanasia is performed on a case-by-case basis for $549. For more information about behavioral euthanasia click here
Private Aquamation
Aquamation is a gentler, more environmentally friendly process than traditional flame cremation. When you choose private aquamation, your pet is aquamated in a private chamber without any other pets. Your pet is safely returned home in 10-14 days.
| Weight | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 49 pounds | $349 |
| 50 to 99 pounds | $399 |
| 100-149 pounds | $499 |
| 150-199 pounds | $599 |
| 200+ pounds | Please inquire |
- Pricing includes your choice of one of three beautiful urns. If you are looking for something unique, custom urns are available at an additional price.
Communal Aquamation
Aquamation is a gentler, more environmentally friendly process tahn traditional flame cremation. When you choose communal aquamation, your pet's ashes are respectfully scattered on beautiful Mill Creek Farm in upstate New York.
| Weight | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 49 pounds | $199 |
| 50 to 99 pounds | $249 |
| 100-149 pounds | $299 |
| 150-199 pounds | $399 |
| 200+ pounds | Please inquire |
Hospice, Comfort & Guidance
Our experienced, compassionate veterinarians provide expert hospice guidance - from managing pain and comfort to helping you discern when the time is right.
Virtual hospice & guidance consult – $199
50-minute, unhurried video consultation with a veterinarian. We will review your pet’s symptoms, discuss medication and comfort strategies, and have an honest conversation about their quality of life to guide you to know when the time is right for goodbye.
In-home palliative & comfort assessment – $549
We come to you to assess your pet in the comfort of their home. We establish a personalized comfort protocol and medication strategy, providing the clinical clarity you need to navigate their care and confidently determine when the time is right.
Veterinarians with Heart
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I know when it's time?
This is one of the hardest decisions you may ever have to make. While sometimes there is a terminal illness and it is clear your pet is suffering, more often, it is not so clear cut. Often, there is a slow decline over weeks to months. Frequently, there are good days and bad days. Assessing some objective criteria can be helpful.
Some of the signs that it may be time include:
- Loss of appetite, especially in a pet that is normally a good eater or if it is accompanied by significant weight loss
- Difficulty walking or difficulty getting up or down, especially if there is pain or if your pet is starting to get sores from being unable to move around
- Incontinence that is leading to your pet frequently soiling themselves, in particular, if your pet is starting to get painful rashes or infections from it
- Nighttime distress that is not responding to medical treatment. Like humans, pets can experience cognitive decline as they get older, which can lead to anxiety and often fear, especially at nighttime. Signs of this may be nighttime crying, howling, pacing, wandering, and panting.
- Chronic, frequent vomiting and diarrhea that is not responding to medical treatment and is accompanied by weight loss
- Chronic pain that is not controlled with medications. Sometimes, this can even manifest as inexplicable aggression towards loved ones.
- Any difficulty breathing that is not responding to medical treatment
- Loss of interest in the things that used to bring joy to your pet, whether that’s playing with toys, going on walks, getting pet, seeing people or other dogs, or getting treats
- The bad days are outnumbering the good days, or the bad days are really bad
For more detailed information, please see our blog post on this subject. We also offer quality-of-life consultations with our doctors. Please click here for more information about our quality-of-life consultations.
How does the process work? What should I expect?
Every situation is different, and our goal is to make this peaceful, beautiful, and free of fear and pain. When we schedule the appointment, we will discuss arriving at your home to ensure our visit causes no fear or stress for your pet. If your pet is scared of strangers, one of our veterinarians can perform a brief teleconsult to prescribe a mild sedative for you to give before the doctor arrives to ensure your pet is relaxed and happy. See our teleconsults page for more information.” (and have the words “See our teleconsults page for more information” link here https://pawsatpeace.com/pet-telemedicine-offerings/)
The procedure can be performed in a comfortable or special place of your choosing. We usually recommend wherever your pet is happiest and most relaxed. You are welcome to have as many loved ones with you as you like.
Euthanasia is usually a two-step process: first, we inject a sedative under the skin that will cause your pet to fall fast asleep over about 10 minutes. It is a tiny pinprick, just like when your pet gets a vaccine. They usually don’t notice it if we distract them with pets or food (if they want to eat). In cases where pets are more scared of needles, sometimes we will start with an oral sedative that makes them feel happy and very drowsy after about 5 minutes.
Once your pet is fast asleep, we administer an anesthetic agent over 1-2 minutes that causes them to pass away peacefully in their sleep. The entire procedure takes about 10-15 minutes, and it is peaceful and comfortable every step of the way, with no fear and no pain. Throughout the entire procedure, you can be with your pet – hugging and kissing them, talking to them, or the whole procedure can even be performed in your lap.
Once your pet has peacefully passed, the doctor will confirm the passing. We will give you as much time as you need or want to pay your respects and say your final goodbyes. We can also make a beautiful clay pawprint and clip a lock of fur for you if you like. When you are ready, we will respectfully remove your pet from the premises and carry out your aftercare wishes.
How should I prepare for my home euthanasia appointment?
First, I’m going to ask the impossible of you: enjoy the day with your pet. As best as you can, try to give off a calm and loving energy so they can feel happy.
This might mean going to the park or the beach. It might mean hitting up McDonalds, Taco Bell, or Peter Luger’s. This might mean snuggling on the couch (or the bathroom floor) and watching movies. This might mean having human and animal friends visit.
Sometimes, they are hurting and want to be alone, in which case, give them the space they need and don’t force them to do anything. Yes, it sucks.
In addition, there are a few questions you should consider ahead of time: Where do you want it to take place? Who do you want to be present? Are there any special treats you want them to have? Are there any special ceremonies or rituals you want to perform?
Where should it take place?
Most families choose a spot where the pet is most comfortable. This can be a sofa, a pet bed, a human bed, the floor, or right in your arms. We are comfortable working wherever your pet is. One important consideration: we never want them to force them to be anywhere they don’t want to be. You might have visualized the perfect spot, but if that is not where they want to be that day, so be it.
Sometimes, especially with cats, we will start the process wherever they currently are. Cats especially often find new places to spend time that make them feel safe when they are sick. Picking them up and moving them can cause stress. In these cases, we will often give the first calming medications wherever they are, and once the medications kick in and they are feeling pain-free and relaxed, we can move them to a cozy location.
Clients occasionally ask about performing the procedure outside – in a yard, on a balcony, in the park, or on the beach. For some patients, this can be amazing. But for many, it can be overstimulating and can make them less calm and relaxed.
Who should be present?
Anyone who loves your pet and makes your pet happy can be present. I’ve had as many as a dozen family members present. We have a separate FAQ on whether children should be present. It’s an individual decision.
Make sure everyone who wants to be present is there by the time the doctor arrives. The doctor cannot wait for people who have not yet arrived.
What special goodies or treats should I have on hand?
Anything they want! You don’t need to fast them prior to the appointment. The only caveat is not to overdo it before we arrive because if pets are still eating, we distract them with treats when we are giving the sedative.
Some popular treats include ice cream (especially if they are having difficulty chewing or mouth pain), steak (raw or cooked), McNuggets, pizza, sushi, salmon, and tuna.
Many of our patients are no longer interested in food. If this is the case, don’t force them to eat.
Do I want to have any special ceremonies or rituals?
Some clients want to do something special during the process. Some things clients have done include:
- Sprinkle rose petals all around, light candles, or have a beautiful bed surrounded by crystals
- Pray or chant
- Have a religious leader perform a ritual or say some words
- Read stories or poetry
- Play a special playlist
- Watch the pet’s favorite TV show
The only restriction is that it should be something that makes your pet feel happy, calm, and unstressed.
And don’t worry about us. We have everything we need.
How far in advance do I need to make an appointment?
We know there is not always much-advanced warning when you need us. We do our best to accommodate same-day and next-day requests. We also have evening and weekend availability. That said, we find that clients and their pets usually have a better experience when there is some planning ahead so that everyone in the family can be there and the process can take place in a slow, patient, and calm manner.
Why is this so hard?
When I had to euthanize my dog, Alice, I was completely unprepared for the intensity of emotion and grief I would experience. I had never been through such intense emotional and psychological pain in my life. I thought I could not go on without her. And on top of that, I thought I was crazy for thinking these thoughts.
I felt guilty that I failed her — that somehow I should have discovered her terminal cancer sooner and have been able to fix it. I also felt anger at other pet parents for having healthy pets that were not dying. It seemed unfair that my pet should die. And on top of that, I felt ashamed and guilty for experiencing these negative emotions.
People frequently remark that losing a pet is harder than losing a parent or a spouse. And then they feel guilty that they experienced more grief losing their pet than they did when they lost their spouse or parent.
I’ve since come to learn that all these thoughts and feelings are normal. Mourning is a biological process through which we heal from the loss of a deep attachment. We often spend more time with our pets than with any other living thing on the planet and are closer physically and emotionally to our pets than to any other human or animal. The body and spirit need time to heal, and it is normal to experience intense and surprising emotions during this healing period.
We offer several resources to help you navigate this process.
If you are unsure if you and your pet are ready for euthanasia and need medical advice, consider scheduling a quality of life consultation with a veterinarian.
If you need emotional support and want a shoulder to lean on, talk to our compassionate pet loss grief support specialist, Christine Galotti-Noyes, LCSW, VSW, who can help you navigate anticipatory grief, end-of-life decisions, and the aftermath of a loss.
We’re here for you. You don’t have to go it alone.
What areas do you serve?
Comprehensive Quality-of-Life Teleconsults
Price: $199
One of our doctors will sit with you and your pet over video chat to discuss how to know when it’s time to say goodbye and help determine if there are things that you can do to keep your pet comfortable and happy a little longer. These consultations are 50 minutes long and include a comprehensive review of your pet’s medical records, history, and quality of life. The doctor will have a thorough discussion of the options available to you and help guide you to the best decisions for you and your family.
In-Person Quality-of-Life Consultations at Your Home
Price: $549
One of our doctors will come to your home and meet you and your pet. We will take a thorough medical history and perform a medical records review and physical examination of your pet. Together, we will decide if there are steps we can take to keep your pet comfortable and happy at home and help you decide when it is time to say goodbye. These consultations are 45 minutes long. Please note: We are unable to perform bloodwork or diagnostic testing and we do not carry medications so all medications are prescribed through our partner, Mixlab, which has same or next-day delivery to most areas of NYC.
We offer pet loss grief support
Initial Counseling Session (60 min) – $199
With care and attention to every detail, we help your beloved pet pass peacefully from this world without fear, without pain, and surrounded by family and love.
À la Carte Session (60 min) – $175
For one-off or additional support sessions, as needed. You must have already had at least one session with Christine to choose this type of session.
Caregiver Support Package (3-session bundle) – $520
Includes one initial intake + two follow-up sessions (60 min each), plus optional email check-in between sessions.
Comprehensive Grief & Bereavement Package (5 sessions) – $840
Covers the full arc of anticipatory grief, end-of-life decision support, and post-loss bereavement, including a final session for closure planning.
