HolisticalVets' In-home Pet Euthanasia Services for Pets in Mercer County, New Jersey
Please read this page entirely, as it contains important information.
To schedule an appointment for in-home pet euthanasia, please click here or scroll down towards the bottom of this page.
We are deeply sorry that you have to think about making such a difficult and heart-wrenching decision. If and when the time comes, HolisticalVets LLC would be honored to travel to Mercer County to spend time with your beloved pet and assist him or her over the Rainbow Bridge.
We have compiled some information below regarding the at home euthanasia process and what you can expect. We hope you find the information outlined on this page helpful, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at info@holisticalvets.com.
In-home Pet Euthanasia Services and Memorial Keepsakes
for Dogs, Cats, Pocket Pets, and Birds in Mercer County, NJ
What's included:
Please note: Due to our large service area covering Central and South Jersey, there is a 2 hour (120 minutes) estimated time of arrival window for HolisticalVets LLC to arrive at the designated appointment location in Mercer County.
- Time dedicated to helping your pet cross the Rainbow Bridge (we allocate up to two hours for the appointment to ensure that no one feels rushed and that your pet receives all the time and attention they need)
- Tasty treats for your pet
- If you would rather that we don’t supply our own treats, we ask that you provide alternatives that you approve of
- If you would rather that we don’t supply our own treats, we ask that you provide alternatives that you approve of
- A Quality of Life exam
- Your questions about the pet euthanasia process answered
- Pre-euthanasia anesthesia (includes a potent pain-reliever)
- Pet euthanasia at home in Mercer County
- Our gifts to you: your choice of one or more (up to four) different complimentary and personalized pet memorial keepsakes that hold special significance, are designed to capture the unique characteristics of your pet, and provide you with tangible mementos to help you cherish and remember your beloved pet
- A personalized digital ink print created to showcase your pet’s distinctive nose (available for dogs, cats, and pocket pets)
- A customized digital ink print that captures the individuality of your pet’s paw/foot
- A miniature vial containing a small amount of your pet’s fur and adorned with the first letter of his or her name (available for dogs, cats, and pocket pets)
- Two 2×5.5 inch personalized bookmarks featuring your pet’s picture and name
- An invitation for you to submit a picture of your cherished pet and a heartfelt paragraph about him or her, which will then be added to HolisticalVets’ Memorial Page and social media pages (this is an opportunity to celebrate the special bond you shared and ensure that their story lives on in the hearts of those who visit our tribute)
- With your consent, we will inform your primary veterinarian/veterinary facility of your pet’s passing
You should receive an automated email from HolisticalVets LLC titled "Appointment Confirmation" a few minutes after successfully scheduling an appointment. If you don't receive an email, please send an email to info@holisticalvets.com.
Aftercare Options
We understand that making aftercare arrangements for your beloved pet after euthanasia can be a challenging and difficult decision. Please remember that by making the arrangements yourself, you have the opportunity to choose a path that aligns with your pet’s individual needs and your own personal preferences. It allows you to carefully select a service that provides the level of care, dignity, and respect that your cherished companion deserves. Additionally, taking an active role in aftercare arrangements can provide a sense of closure and control during a difficult time, helping you find solace in knowing that you have made the best decision for your pet’s final journey.
Cremation
Should you prefer cremation, we suggest reaching out to your pet’s primary veterinarian or veterinary facility, as they may offer cremation services for established patients. Another option is to contact pet crematoriums directly to personally coordinate aftercare services and Friends Forever Pet Crematory and Hamilton Pet Meadow are both located in Mercer County.
Information about some local pet crematories in Central and South Jersey (including Hamilton Pet Meadow and Friends Forever Pet Crematory) is provided in the table below, and additional crematories can be found through an online search. For those choosing cremation via a pet crematory, we recommend contacting your preferred facility a few days before the euthanasia appointment to make and confirm arrangements. If you arrange for your pet to be picked up from your home by a pet crematory, if possible, we recommend scheduling for a time that’s two hours after your scheduled in-home euthanasia appointment time (for example, if you schedule an in-home euthanasia appointment for 2pm, we recommend requesting that the pet crematory arrive at 4pm if possible).
| Crematory | Services | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
|
Rainbow Bridge Pet Crematory 301 Old River Road. Mays Landing, NJ 08330 |
Private cremation only |
Rainbow Bridge Pet Crematory is only able to pick up pets within 20 miles of their business location, but does accept pets that are transported to them from within or outside that region. Please contact them directly for more information. (609)-837-0356 https://www.rainbowbridgepetcrematory.com |
|
Hamilton Pet Meadow 1500 Klockner Road Hamilton, NJ 08619 |
Communal cremation, private cremation, pet burial, and more |
Please contact Hamilton Pet Meadow directly to learn more about their services and/or transportation options. (609)-586-9660 https://petmeadow.com |
|
Pets at Peace 445 Rt. 47 North Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 |
Private cremation, semi-private cremation, and communal cremation |
Please contact Pets at Peace directly to learn more about their services. (609)-465-1919 https://petsatpeacenj.com |
|
Friends Forever Pet Crematory 1879 Pennington Rd Ewing, NJ, 08618 |
Private cremation, semi-private cremation, communal cremation, pet transport, 72 hour urn return guarantee, home burial (if allowed by local township), and more |
Friends Forever Pet Crematory answers phone calls 24/7 and is run by licensed funeral directors. To learn more about their services, please contact Friends Forever Pet Crematory directly by calling or visiting their website. (609)-882-1800 https://www.friends4everpetcrematory.com |
|
Paws to Heaven Pet Crematory 9140 Pennsauken Hwy. Pennsauken, NJ, 08110 |
Private cremation, communal cremation, and burial |
Please contact Paws to Heaven Pet Crematory directly to lean more about their services. (856)-665-7221 https://pawstoheaven.com |
|
Dear Pet Memorial Park 3850 Richlieu Rd. Bensalem, PA 19020 |
24/7 emergency services, pet transport (including to certain counties in New Jersey), individual cremation, communal cremation, and burial |
Please contact Dear Pet Memorial Park directly to lean more about their services. (267)-252-2631 https://dearpetmemorialpark.net/ |
Burial
If you prefer burial, we recommend that all local ordinances are complied with, as burying a pet after euthanasia can have severe and fatal environmental consequences due to medications used and may be illegal in some areas, resulting in hefty government-issued fines. We’ve compiled some information regarding pet home burial here, but please be aware that your particular Mercer County town may have different recommendations or requirements.
Pet Loss Support
We understand that the loss of a beloved pet can be an emotionally challenging experience. To provide support during this difficult time, we have compiled a list of pet loss support resources, which can offer comfort and guidance as you navigate the grieving process. You can access this list by clicking here.
Rescheduling and Cancellations
Please understand that we reserve the right to discontinue/refuse service and/or cancel appointments at our discretion and at any time. If such a situation arises, we will promptly notify you through the email address you provided (or in person if we are already at the appointment location). This policy particularly applies when euthanasia appointments are made primarily for convenience or involve animals displaying aggressive behavior. In those circumstances, we are unable to offer our euthanasia services (please click here to learn more). Additionally, this policy extends to appointments that go against our Code of Conduct (please click here to learn more) or ethics.
If you need to reschedule or cancel a scheduled euthanasia appointment for any reason before we begin our journey to the appointment location or before our team has prepared and gathered the necessary resources, there will be no charge to the credit card on file, as we completely understand that circumstances can change and decisions may evolve in regards to euthanasia. However, please be aware that if our staff has already initiated the trip, begun preparation, or arrived at the appointment’s location, a fee of $275 will be charged to the credit card on file regardless of the reason(s) the appointment was rescheduled or cancelled. This fee accounts for the time and resources dedicated to making the journey and preparing for the appointment, allowing us to continue providing compassionate care to other pets and clients. Therefore, due to our extremely large service area, please notify us via email (info@holisticalvets.com) at least 4 hours before your scheduled appointment time to avoid cancellation or rescheduling charges. For example, if your in-home euthanasia appointment is set for 11am, please email us by 7am at the latest. While we process rescheduling and cancellation requests during our business hours (8am – 5pm, Fridays through Tuesdays), we also accept requests outside these hours. If your request is received outside of business hours, the timestamp of your email will determine if a cancellation/rescheduling fee applies.
To reschedule or cancel, please email us at info@holisticalvets.com and we will email you back during our business hours once we receive your email. If looking to reschedule your appointment, please check our scheduler (located here) for available days and times. In your email, specify your preferred new appointment slot. Once we receive your request, we will let you know (via email) if we can reschedule the appointment to your requested day/time. If we are able to accommodate your request, you will also receive a confirmation email detailing the new day/time.
We genuinely appreciate your understanding and cooperation regarding our policies. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@holisticalvets.com.
What to Expect During the Euthanasia Process with HolisticalVets
At HolisticalVets LLC, we understand that the euthanasia process can be an emotional and difficult experience for the pet’s family. To provide the most comfortable and respectful experience, we follow a step-by-step process, which is outlined below:
First, we will arrive at or near the scheduled time (within the 2 hour (120 minutes) estimated time of arrival window) and request that a form that confirms your decision for pet euthanasia is signed. Next, we will then examine your pet and if permitted, we will offer him or her some tasty treats to help them relax.
When you’re ready, we will administer a potent anesthetic containing a pain-reliever to minimize any potential discomfort going forward. It’s important to note that the anesthetic may be given orally and/or via injection (please note that the injection may cause a brief stinging sensation for a few seconds) and that some pets may need repeated injections depending on their individual needs (these repeated doses are much less likely to be felt by the pet). In order to give the anesthetic the best chance of working properly, it is highly important that the environment around your pet be quiet, calm, and free from anxiety at all times and that any handling of your pet (e.g., petting, hugging, etc.) be done so in a soft and quiet manner, as overstimulating touch and sounds will decrease the effectiveness of the anesthetic and may make it harder for him or her to relax.
Once your pet is fully anesthetized and is unaware of their surroundings, the veterinarian will administer the euthanasia solution through a peripheral vein (in the limbs) and/or abdominal vein; however, depending on the pet, other routes may be selected if deemed easier for the pet. It is important to note that certain factors, such as low blood pressure, fragile veins, or other circumstances, may require our veterinarian to carefully examine multiple veins to ensure their proper functioning before administering the euthanasia solution to your pet. This process may involve clipping a small section of fur to assist in visualizing the vein(s) if necessary, followed by the gentle insertion of a needle into one or more veins to assess their patency and ensure the smooth flow of the solution. Rest assured that once anesthetized, your pet will be in a deep, painless sleep and will not experience any discomfort. Please be aware that the time it takes for your pet to pass away can vary, ranging from a few seconds to over an hour and during this process, your pet may exhibit involuntary reflexes; however, they will not be aware of these reflexes occurring.
The veterinarian will confirm your pet’s passing by listening to his or her heart and assessing their eyes, which may remain open. This step may be repeated multiple times over a period of 20-30 minutes to ensure that your pet has indeed passed away peacefully.
Lastly, as a heartfelt gesture, if you have elected to receive them in the consent form, we will gift you with personalized pet memorial keepsakes that are meant to help you cherish and remember your beloved pet. Please note that the digital ink prints will be emailed (using the email address on file) and bookmarks will be mailed (using the mailing address on file). HolisticalVets LLC is not responsible for prolonged mail transit times.
Please note: To ensure the highest level of care and minimize any potential errors, it is important for the legal pet owner (or authorized agent for the legal pet owner) to be present at the beginning of the appointment. Their presence is needed to identify the pet that will be euthanized (although they are not required to be present during the actual procedure if they prefer not to be). We also require the legal pet owner (or authorized agent for the legal pet owner) to provide legal identification before any services are provided and sign an additional form stating approval for pet euthanasia. We also request that the at home euthanasia appointment takes place on a property owned or rented by the legal pet owner (or authorized agent for the legal pet owner) or on a property where they have obtained explicit permission for the euthanasia to be conducted. These measures are in place to guarantee that each pet receives the proper care and attention they deserve.
Other Important Information
Reducing Fear, Anxiety, and/or Stress in Dogs and Cats
If you believe that your dog or cat may experience fear, anxiety, or stress before the euthanasia process begins, we highly recommend that you consult with your primary veterinarian and ask for a small amount of “fear-free” medication. This medication can be given to your pet a few hours before the euthanasia appointment to help alleviate any fear, anxiety, or stress they may have. Please be assured that we will also administer an anesthetic at the beginning of the in-home euthanasia appointment to ensure your pet’s comfort and well-being throughout the entire process.
If there are other animals in the household that have the potential to exhibit aggression towards animals or people, we require that they be securely confined away from our employees at all times. This precaution is taken to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
Reducing Fear, Anxiety, and/or Stress in Pocket Pets and Birds
To ensure the comfort of your bird or pocket pet (a small mammal such as a guinea pig, hamster, chinchilla, ferret, rabbit, mouse, rat, etc.) and minimize any fear, anxiety, or stress, HolisticalVets may request that you gently pick up your pet from their enclosure and embrace them during the process.
Code of Conduct
We follow the Golden Rule (“Treat others how you would like to be treated”) and apply that rule to our interactions with both people and animals. Due to this, we greatly appreciate being treated the same in return.
Therefore, it is our policy to not tolerate any signs of disrespect, rudeness, yelling, screaming, bullying, threats, profanity, name
calling, harassment, aggression, demanding or entitled behavior, disparagement, violence, exploitation, unreasonable or excessive demands, and physical, emotional, or verbal abuse, etc. Should any of those characteristics be displayed, we will immediately end the appointment and not provide further services and the credit card on file will be charged $275 for time and resources used.
Due to pet euthanasia being a delicate and emotional process, please be aware that our staff does not consent to being recorded in any way (this includes, but is not limited to, still images, video, voice, etc.).
Human Health
In order to protect the health and safety of everyone involved, we kindly ask that individuals who are feeling unwell wear a face mask properly during the appointment, regardless of whether it is held indoors or outdoors. If wearing a mask is not possible, we request that the space be well-ventilated. These precautions are in place to safeguard both those attending the appointment and our staff, as well as other clients and their pets seen later in the day or week.
We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this difficult time.
Euthanasia FAQs
How do I know when it's time to say goodbye to my pet?
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is incredibly hard and deciding when it's time is one of the hardest decisions you may have to make. In hopes of providing some insight and guidance, we can answer your questions on a video conferencing platform during a Quality of Life telehealth consultation if you have questions about your dog or cat. To learn more about our Quality of Life telehealth consultation service, please click here.
We have also provided a Quality of Life Assessment (found here) for you, which will hopefully provide some answers to help you navigate this question and decision.
Is sedation or anesthesia administered?
At HolisticalVets LLC, we believe in providing compassionate care to all pets, including during their end-of-life journey. To ensure your pet's comfort, we will administer profound anesthesia before proceeding with the euthanasia. In order to give the anesthetic the best chance of working properly and to help your pet relax, we ask that the environment around your pet be quiet, calm, and free from anxiety at all times and that any handling of your pet (e.g., petting, hugging, etc.) be done so in a soft and quiet manner.
Is there a possibility of my pet reacting in any way during any part of the euthanasia process?
At HolisticalVets LLC, we know that every pet is unique and may react differently to the medications used during the euthanasia process. While some pets may experience a slight sting or discomfort from the initial anesthetic injection, we take great care to minimize any discomfort they may feel. In some cases, pets may require additional anesthetic injections to ensure that they remain calm and comfortable throughout the pet euthanasia process (those subsequent injections are much less likely to be felt or noticed by the pet due to the effects of the pain-relieving effects of the first anesthetic).
Medications are a vital part of the pet euthanasia process, and pets can respond to them differently, just like humans do. During the euthanasia process, it is normal for pets to exhibit various reactions. Some of these reactions (which include, but are not limited to, muscle movement/tremors, agonal breaths, loss of bowel control, eyes remaining open, arching of the body, legs stretching out, etc.) may seem scary or surprising (especially if/when seen for the first time) and some reactions have a higher risk of occurring if the pet has an underlying disease. We cannot predict exactly if or how a pet will react until it happens; however, please be assured that HolisticalVets LLC is experienced in assisting both you and your pet through any reactions that may occur, even those not specifically mentioned in this paragraph. Your pet’s comfort and peace are our highest priorities and the anesthetics we use essentially induce a state of deep sleep, where pain, stress, worry, confusion, and consciousness are eliminated; therefore, should any reactions occur, your pet will not be aware of their occurrence.
How long will the euthanasia process take?
The duration of the euthanasia process can vary significantly, ranging from a few minutes to over an hour. It's important to note that sick or debilitated pets may take longer to metabolize the medications used, as their organs may not be functioning properly. Conversely, in rare cases, pets with severely compromised health may pass away from the anesthetic alone. Rest assured that once your pet is fully anesthetized, they are completely unaware of their surroundings and are unable to experience any pain.
Does HolisticalVets perform convenience euthanasias?
Convenience euthanasia is defined by many as the euthanasia of psychologically and physically healthy animals that are no longer wanted. Since HolisticalVets LLC is a veterinary practice that believes in providing compassionate, honorable, and ethical veterinary care, we only perform euthanasias that are medically indicated (such as when a pet’s quality of life is declining) and we are unable to perform euthanasias requested for the sake of convenience. Therefore, if we determine at any time that a pet is not a candidate for euthanasia for any reason, we reserve the right to decline to perform the service (please be aware that $275 will be charged to the credit card on file to account for travel time and resources used if our staff has already initiated the trip or arrived at the appointment’s location).
Is HolisticalVets able to euthanize animals that show aggression?
HolisticalVets LLC is unable to euthanize animals that show signs of aggression.
Signs of aggression, such as growling, hissing, attempts to bite, snap, scratch, resistance to being petted or held, and not allowing injections, can be displayed by animals for various reasons, including fear, pain, stress, and protection. It's important to note that these signs of aggression do not imply that the pet is inherently bad. However, due to the in-home nature of our services, we are regrettably unable to provide euthanasia for animals exhibiting such signs. This precaution is necessary to prevent potential risks of injury to the pet, the pet owner, and our employees. Therefore, we strongly recommend that pet owners who anticipate a higher risk of their pet displaying signs of aggression contact their primary veterinarian or veterinary clinic. They can offer additional safety measures to protect both the pet and the veterinary staff during the euthanasia process.
Please note: At HolisticalVets LLC, we prioritize the health and safety of both pets and humans. If a pet shows signs of aggression during an appointment, we cannot proceed with the euthanasia. In such cases, a fee of $275 will be charged to the credit card on file to cover travel time and resources utilized. While we understand that animals may be more prone to biting when they are sick, injured, or fearful, it's important to be aware that if a pet bites a human, the bite must be reported to the local public health department as required by law. Additionally, if the bite occurs within 10 days of the pet's passing, whether from euthanasia or other causes, New Jersey state law mandates rabies testing on the pet, regardless of its rabies vaccination status. Due to the at-home nature of our services, we cannot perform euthanasia or rabies testing in such cases (and a fee of $275 will be charged to the credit card on file to account for travel time and resources used if we are already on the premises). In such situations, two legal options are available: (a) postponing the euthanasia and strictly quarantining the pet, provided the pet is not actively suffering; or (b) proceeding with euthanasia and rabies testing at a veterinary facility with the necessary capabilities. If option (a) is selected and the pet passes away on its own before the 10-day quarantine period ends, rabies testing is still required by law.
Does HolisticalVets provide in-home euthanasia services in all Mercer County towns or just certain ones?
HolisticalVets offers in-home pet euthanasia services for dogs, cats, pocket pets, and birds in all towns near you within Mercer County, NJ.
Mercer County: Berrien City (08550), Bordentown (08610, 08620), Broad Street Park (08610), Chesterfield Township (08620), Cranbury (08520), East Amwell Township (08525), East Windsor (08520), Etra (08520), Ewing Township (08560, 08611, 08618, 08628, 08638), Fernwood (08618), Groveville (08620, 08666), Hamilton Township (08609, 08610, 08611, 08619, 08620, 08629, 08638, 08650, 08690, 08691), Hightstown (08520), Hopewell Township (08525, 08534, 08560, 08628), Lawrence Township (08648), Mercerville (08619), Mount Rose (08525), New Sharon (08691), Pennington (08534), Plainsboro Township (08540), Princeton (08540, 08541, 08542, 08543, 08544), Quaker Bridge (08619), Robbinsville Township (08520, 08561, 08638, 08690, 08691), Trenton (08601, 08602, 08603, 08604, 08605, 08606, 08607, 08608, 08609, 08610, 08611, 08618, 08625, 08629, 08638, 08645, 08646, 08647, 08695), Titusville (08560), Upper Freehold (08691), West Amwell Township (08525), West Windsor (08550), Windsor (08520, 08561, 08638, 08691), and Yardville Heights (08620)
