FAQs

We know that saying goodbye to a much-loved pet can bring lots of questions, and sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. Below you’ll find answers to some of the questions families ask us most often.

 

We also have a collection of articles offering more detailed guidance on some of the things you may be thinking about, including how to recognise when the time may be right, whether children should be present, and how other pets may respond to the loss of a companion. You can find these on our Articles page.

Before the Appointment

How much notice do you need?

While we can often offer same-day appointments, unfortunately this isn’t always possible. There are sometimes periods of up to seven days when we are unable to accommodate appointments.

With good communication, we can usually work around these dates. We recommend getting in touch as soon as you can so that we can discuss the timeframe you have in mind and do our very best to support you and your pet.

 

How do I go about booking an appointment?

Our registration form gives us all the information we need to plan a peaceful, individual appointment for you and your pet.

If there is anything else you feel would be helpful for us to know, please don’t hesitate to tell us.

 

What happens if I change my mind?

That’s absolutely okay. We understand that deciding when to say goodbye can be incredibly difficult, and you should never feel pressured to go ahead before you are ready.

Our appointments are deliberately flexible, and we don’t take a deposit, so you are free to move or cancel your appointment if your circumstances change or the time no longer feels right. Payment is taken on the morning of the appointment so that, once we arrive, our attention can be entirely on you and your pet.

If we arrive and you are no longer sure that you want to go ahead, we will take some time to talk through how you are feeling and any concerns you may have. We will only proceed with euthanasia when you are comfortable that it is the right decision for your pet.

If, after talking things through, you are still unsure, we can change the appointment to an end-of-life consultation instead. During this consultation, we can introduce you to quality-of-life scales and other ways of assessing how your pet is doing. These can provide a more objective perspective alongside your own knowledge of your pet and help you feel more confident about recognising when the time is right.

There is no pressure to make the decision that day.

 

What if my pet deteriorates suddenly before our appointment?

If your pet deteriorates suddenly before your appointment, please feel free to contact us. If we are available, we will do our best to get to you as soon as possible.

Please be aware that Faithful Farewell does not provide a 24-hour emergency service, so it is always a good idea to have a back-up plan in case your pet needs urgent care when we are unavailable. If you are unsure about your options, you are welcome to contact us for advice on alternative services.

If your pet is registered with Faithful Farewell and has already been seen by us, our out-of-hours care is provided by Catmose Vets in Oakham. If your pet has not previously been seen by us, you should contact your usual veterinary practice or their out-of-hours provider for urgent veterinary care.

During the Appointment

Can family members or friends be present?

Absolutely. This is an emotional goodbye to a treasured family member. You are very welcome to have family members or friends with you for support.

There is no set limit on how many people can be present, provided there is enough space for everyone to be comfortable and for us to safely care for your pet. The most important thing is that the environment remains calm and peaceful for them.

Some people prefer a very private goodbye, while others find comfort in having the people who loved their pet around them. There is no right or wrong choice; please do whatever feels right for you, your family and your pet.

 

I have certain wishes for the way I would like my pet to pass. Can these be accommodated?

Of course. The whole purpose of this service is to help your pet pass as gently and peacefully as possible, whilst giving you the time and space to honour their life and the bond you share.

You may wish to play a special song, say a few words, leave a drawing or simply sit quietly together. There is no right or wrong way to say goodbye, and you will never be judged for wanting to honour your pet in a way that feels meaningful to you.

Please let us know what you have in mind. Wherever possible, we will do everything we can to accommodate your wishes.

 

Where should my pet be for the appointment?

Wherever your pet feels safest and most comfortable is usually the best place for them to be, particularly while they are becoming sleepy. This part of the appointment is entirely about their comfort and helping them to feel as relaxed and secure as possible.

I have helped pets beneath beds, on sofas, in bathroom sinks, in cars and even tucked away in their favourite spot in the garden. Wherever they feel most at ease is where we will try to let them fall asleep.

Depending on your pet’s temperament and the space available, they may occasionally need to be held or moved to a slightly more accessible position while the first injection is given. Afterwards, they can return to the place where they feel most comfortable.

Once your pet is deeply and peacefully asleep, we may gently move them to a more accessible position so that the IV can be placed. Because they are sleeping soundly by this stage, our focus can then turn to you and your family and how you would like to say goodbye.

You may choose to have your pet somewhere that has always been special to them, or somewhere the whole family can comfortably gather around them.

As the body relaxes after death, it is normal for some urine or faeces to be released. We will discreetly use absorbent pads to keep your pet clean and comfortable and to protect your furniture or clothing. We will take care of these practical details so that you can concentrate on being with your pet.

 

I have had pets put to sleep in the past, but sedation was never used. Does that mean they may have suffered?

No. The fact that sedation wasn’t used does not mean that your previous pets suffered. Before opening Faithful Farewell, I didn’t routinely sedate pets before euthanasia. Now that I work differently, sedation has become an important part of the way we provide peaceful euthanasia at home.

Sedation allows your pet to become deeply relaxed and sleepy while they are still in their familiar surroundings, usually with the people they love beside them. Once they are sleeping soundly, we can place the IV catheter needed for the final medication without them being aware of what we are doing.

Without sedation, placing an IV catheter can require a degree of handling and restraint. This does not mean that euthanasia without prior sedation is unkind, but having experienced both approaches, I personally prefer to minimise that handling wherever possible.

The initial injection itself is very quick. Afterwards, your pet can settle somewhere comfortable with you while the sedation takes effect. By the time we need to place the IV catheter, they are deeply asleep and unaware of that part of the procedure.

For the way I practise now, I would always choose sedation because I believe it allows us to make those final moments as gentle and peaceful as possible.

 

Why does this appointment cost more than a euthanasia appointment with my usual vet?

A home euthanasia appointment is a different type of service from an appointment within a veterinary practice, so it can be helpful to understand what is included.

Our appointment fee includes support before, during and after your appointment, as well as a home visit within a 30-minute radius of Stretton. Appointments are deliberately unhurried and can last for up to 90 minutes, giving you and your pet the time and space you need. Sedation and gentle, peaceful euthanasia are also included.

We are a small, independent local veterinary service dedicated specifically to providing compassionate end-of-life care. As a small practice, we have many of the same professional and operating costs as a larger veterinary practice, but without the same volume of appointments over which to spread those costs.

We also invest in specialist training and keep our knowledge and techniques up to date so that we can provide the gentlest experience possible for pets and their families.

Above all, we understand that saying goodbye to a much-loved pet can be incredibly difficult. We will listen to your concerns, talk through any fears you may have and take the time to understand what matters most to you and your pet.

We understand that cost can be an important consideration. If your pet is insured, some policies may cover some or all of the cost of our service, so it is worth checking with your insurer. There is never any pressure to choose our service if another option is more affordable or better suited to your circumstances. What matters most is that you find the right care for you and your pet.

If our service is outside your budget, please do speak to us. While we may not be able to reduce our fees, we may be able to suggest other services that offer a more affordable option.

 

After the Appointment

If I choose individual cremation, will it actually be my pet’s ashes I get back, or could they be mixed with others?

We completely understand why families worry about this. Placing your pet in someone elses care after saying goodbye requires an enormous amount of trust, and we take that responsibility very seriously.

I chose the crematorium in Kirton after visiting it personally, and it is the crematorium I would choose for my own pets. The team are meticulous and treat every pet with care, dignity and respect from the moment they arrive until the moment their ashes are returned.

I would never knowingly work with a crematorium in which I did not have complete confidence. They have never let me down, and I trust them to care for your pet with the same respect I would expect for my own.

 

Why does it take around two weeks for my pet’s ashes to be returned?

After your appointment, your pet will remain in our care in a safe, secure and temperature-controlled environment until collection by the crematorium.

Collections take place weekly. Your pet is then individually cremated and their ashes are usually returned to us the following week. Throughout this process, your pet is treated with the utmost care, dignity and respect.

We understand that some families would prefer to have their pet’s ashes home sooner. If this is important to you, please let us know. There are several options we can arrange, and we will be happy to talk these through with you.

 

Can I keep a paw print or fur clipping?

Yes. We are very happy to provide both a fur clipping and a paw print as keepsakes, at no additional charge.

Fur clippings can be taken during the appointment and given to you before we leave. Paw prints are carefully prepared afterwards and posted to you once they are ready.

There is, of course, no obligation to have either. We understand that everyone chooses to remember their pet in their own way.