Euthanasia Appointment FAQs

If you don’t see your question below, please contact us!

Because Fond Farewell is a one doctor practice, appointment availability varies. While there are certainly times that I have same day availability, the majority of my in-demand time slots (weekends and evenings especially) tend to book a few days out. Please call us or submit the online form to request an appointment, and let us know if you would like to be put on a waiting list in case an availability opens up sooner. I do not charge a cancellation or reschedule fee, so there is no risk involved with booking ahead of time.

Fond Farewell accepts cash (I do not carry change), check (made out to Fond Farewell), all major credit cards (processed via Square), Venmo, Apple Pay, and Zelle. In your confirmation email when you book an appointment, you will find instructions and links for pre-payment as well as a consent form. If you prepay and cancel, you will be refunded in full. If you plan to pay at our appointment, please have your check made out, exact cash counted out, or your credit card within reach before my arrival.

As inconvenient as it may seem to have a window of time to expect my arrival, it is a crucial element in providing a fond farewell. Some families need more time than others for their farewell, and no family will ever be rushed during our experience. Other considerations such as traffic, factoring in time to safely tuck angels in at my home, and giving myself a few minutes to decompress and mentally prepare myself to be fully available for my next family is vital in this highly emotional (and sometimes unpredictable) line of work.

  • Electronically sign the consent form and hit send before my arrival. You may want to consider pre-payment using the links found in your confirmation email as well.
  • If possible, please clear a parking space for a large SUV at the start of your arrival window as close as possible to your door if I am taking your pet for aftercare.
  • Please make sure that everyone that will be present (virtually and in person) during our experience is aware of this window and available during the arrival window. This is because when I arrive and we discuss the process, everyone should be aware of what is going to happen before we start.
  • Think about where you would like your pet’s memory to be (their farewell space). This can be a certain room, your yard, on your bed, or wherever is the most meaningful and comfortable place for your family. You will always have the option to have them in your arms or lap wherever we are.
  • If there are special toys or comfort items that you would like close to your pet during their good-bye, have them in your farewell space.
  • If your pet still has an appetite, have some special food ready to feed in your farewell space. Anything goes – I have seen some spectacular final nibbles like steak, chocolate, and even beer!
  • Even if you don’t feel like eating, please make sure you have at least a snack before my arrival. Grieving is more exhausting than you think, and hypoglycemia will make you feel even more run down and shaky.
  • Think about if you want any music playing or have any poems or letters you want to read to your pet during your farewell, and have them cued up and close by in your farewell space.
  • Have plenty of tissues and perhaps some water for your family in your designated farewell space.
  • If there are any family members joining us virtually, make sure to have something to prop your camera on during your farewell so your hands can be free to love on your pet. Making sure your device is fully charged (or plugged in during the farewell) is important, too.
  • If someone can not be present during our appointment but wants their voice heard or face to be seen by your pet, consider having them record a voice memo or a video to have you play for them at the appointment while your pet is about to rest.
  • I will bring potty pads to ensure your house stays as clean as possible. Some families still elect to have extra potty pads or towels down before my arrival as added insurance.

If your pet still has an appetite, please feel free to feed them whatever goodies their heart desires. Medications will never interfere with the drugs I will administer, so please continue to give them if well tolerated and helpful. If your pet is on any anti-anxiety medications for veterinary visits, please give them a double dose 1-2 hours before my arrival (only if it is not stressful for you or your pet).

Please let Dr. Jeni know upon booking or arrival if you have been supplementing your pet with any CBD products, as these pets have been found to build up a tolerance to certain medications I may administer and I will want to adjust my doses accordingly.

I will always text you with an ETA when I am on my way. If you would prefer I call you instead, please make sure my support staff knows your request. This gives you the freedom and comfort to give me any last-minute instructions (such as come into the backyard, park in the driveway, or please text instead of knocking when you arrive) that may not have been relayed when your appointment was booked.

If you have concerns about any previous experiences your pet has had at the veterinary clinic (such as needing to be muzzled or reactions to injections) or concerns about stranger danger, the best thing to do is let my support staff know this when booking. As a seasoned veterinarian and a pet mom, these responses don’t surprise or offend me (in fact, some of the most fulfilling farewells I have granted have been with pets that are usually terrified at clinics), but I will need to adjust my dosages and approach. Being upfront with this information will be the best way to ensure the smoothest experience for your family and pet.

Absolutely! Please make sure to have your device charged (or plugged in) as well as something to prop up the camera before my arrival. I would like all people that will be present, virtually or in person, during our experience to be available when I arrive to hear the discussion before we start the process. Please make sure everyone is aware of the arrival window and gets notified with my pinpoint ETA when I text the day of our appointment.

If someone can not be present during our appointment but wants their voice heard or face to be seen by your pet, consider having them record a voice memo or a video to have you play for them at the appointment while your pet is about to rest.

Absolutely, but I am camera shy so please make sure to focus on your pet. In fact, if you would like me to take any photos for you, please don’t hesitate to ask me. I personally consider it a job well done if we have created a memory that you want to remember.

Yes! If you have comfort concerns for your pet but would like them to be moved into your arms or lap once they are pain free, you can let me know when I arrive. I always gently check in once your pet is comfortable to see if you would like me to move them to a different position for their final heartbeat.

Ah, the age-old question. There is no one size fits all answer to this, as maturity and personalities differ. Based on my experience (only as a mother and veterinarian, I am not a child psychologist), babies and kids under the age of 4 don’t really understand what is going on because they don’t have a concept of death. They will certainly miss their pet as a playmate, and pick up on the emotions of grieving adults. They may ask you for days and months to come where your pet is as they grapple with the permanence of their absence from their life. Age 5-9 is when I think most kids will start to understand death as permanent, and if they are mature enough, you may want to give them the option to be present for their final good-bye. It would be a good idea to have a trusted friend be available to take care of anyone 6 and under, in case they change their mind, so you can still be present for your pet’s farewell.

I think mature children should always be told the truth and be given the choice on if they want to be present or not. I will always explain what will happen using age appropriate and non-secular words and concepts. We will always separate your pet’s last memory (going to sleep peacefully) from their last breath, so there is a period of time we can check in with your child and see if they still want to be in the room for the final breath. (I adore children, especially more so now because mine are teenagers and are growing up way too fast. If I didn’t get into veterinary school, my “back-up” career was pediatric cardiology).

One of the many advantages of saying good-bye at home is that your other pets can have the chance to get some sort of “natural closure” too. If your other pet will be a distraction to you or your pet during the farewell, I recommend that you keep them in another room during the bulk of the experience. Once your pet has transitioned, I will always make sure you have the option to let your pets into the room (I will stay outside so as not to distract them) and be able to sniff your pet for clarity.