A Peaceful Passing
An in-home pet euthanasia service.
Serving Bakersfield
We are here to make sure that your final moments with your beloved companion are as stress-free as possible.
Perhaps the hardest decision you will have to make in your pet’s life is when to euthanize. We would all prefer that our pets die naturally, peacefully, and pain-free. It is a choice we never want to have to make. Unfortunately, there are times when a disease process takes over and will not allow for a peaceful death. Euthanasia is a gift that we can use to spare suffering in our beloved companions. Our pets love us unconditionally, their entire lives…the last gift we can give to them is to allow them to cross the rainbow bridge before they are suffering.
Grieving is an intimate, private, process. It is understandable that you would want to be in the privacy of your own home, rather than a place of business, when it comes time to saying your final goodbye to your pet. Some other reasons why you might want to choose to euthanize at home include:
-Your pet is unable to walk or has great difficulty moving around
-Your pet hates going to the veterinarian’s office and it creates tremendous anxiety and fear
-You want your pet to be laying on his/her favorite bed, the couch, or your lap during the process
-You want to be able to include your entire family
How do I know when it’s time?
Many people struggle with knowing which day is the right day. We selfishly want every moment we can get with our pets. We want to wait until it’s clear that it is time. Unfortunately, often times, this means we wait until our pets are truly suffering. We have the ability to spare our loved ones from unnecessary suffering. Below are some questions you can ask to determine if the time is right.
-Does he/she still enjoy playing with you or with toys?
-Are there more good days than bad days?
-Is your pet getting up and using the bathroom in appropriate places?
-Is your pet living pain free?
-Is there anything your pet still looks forward to?
If the answer to several of these is "no", it might be time to let your loved one go. It is such a difficult decision to make, but remember to think of it as one last gift you can give to your wonderful companion...to let them go in peace, before they are suffering.
If you are not sure it is time, consider scheduling a “Quality of Life” exam with your regular veterinarian for some guidance.
What is the process like?
When the time comes to say goodbye, Dr. Martin will arrive at your home at the scheduled appointment time. All pets will receive a sedative prior to the euthanasia. This consists of an injection given under the skin to relax your pet. This medication will make your pet fall asleep in roughly 5 to 15 minutes. While the sedative takes effect, you may hold and comfort and talk to your pet. Once your pet is sleeping, Dr. Martin will administer the euthanasia solution into a vein or into the body cavity. Since your pet will be asleep, the process will be pain free.
What happens afterwards?
After the euthanasia, Dr. Martin will give you time to say your final goodbyes. When you are ready, she will take the remains to the crematory for cremation if you choose to have your pet cremated. There is a communal cremation option, where no remains are returned, or there is a private cremation option, where you can have your pet’s ashes returned to you in an urn.
Alternatively, some people choose to bury their pets in a special place in their yard.
If you wish, Dr. Martin will notify your veterinarian of your pet’s passing.
Meet the Dr.
Dr. Elise Martin graduated from UC Davis Veterinary School in 2004. She worked in a full service veterinary hospital in Bakersfield off and on for 17 years. She has 4 daughters, a husband (who is also a veterinarian) and 2 dogs (a golden Retriever named Curry and a Maltese mix named Francine). In her free time, Dr. Martin enjoys training for marathons, reading, and playing the piano.
Many people comment that this job must be very difficult. Dr. Martin’s response to this is,
“This job is my calling. When I go into a family’s home for euthanasia, the grief and love they are feeling for their pet are immense. I know right away that this pet had a good life. Euthanasia literally means ‘good death.’ I am grateful that the owners are setting aside their own personal feelings to give their loved ones the final gift of a good death. I feel honored to be a part of that.”
Pricing
-In-home euthanasia service
Cats and dogs under 100 lbs $300
Dogs over 100lbs $350
Includes house call fee, sedation, euthanasia, and paw impression keepsake (if desired)
*Very aggressive dogs please contact Dr. Martin prior to scheduling so special arrangements can be made.
-Out of service area additional fees
-Delano, Taft, Wasco, Lamont, Buttonwillow, Choctaw Valley $50
-Tehachapi, Keene, Frazier Mountain Park, Lake Isabella, Stallion Springs, Pine Mountain Club $150
Please call to schedule an appointment if you live in an “out of service” area.
-Communal cremation prices (Ashes will NOT be returned to you.)
all cats and dogs under 100lbs $100
dogs over 100lbs $150
-Private cremation prices (Your pet’s ashes will be returned to you in an urn)
cats and dogs under 100lbs $250
dogs over 100lbs $300
What if my pet has already passed away?
If your pet has already passed and you are interested in cremation options, you can either reach out to your regular veterinarian or you can call VCA Bakersfield or Animal Emergency and Urgent Care. A Peaceful Passing does not offer cremation services only.
Requesting an appointment
Business hours Hours of availability vary by day. Appointments may be scheduled online based upon availability.
For an estimate of pricing, please refer to the “Pricing” page.
Payment A valid credit card is required to reserve an appointment with the online reservation system. You will be charged a $100 deposit that will be applied towards your final payment. If your pet passes away prior to the appointment, the deposit will be refunded. We are not able to accept Care Credit at this time.
Cancellations If possible, please provide 24 hours notice for cancellations. Appointments cancelled less than 2 hours prior to the appointment will incur a cancellation fee of $100. A “no-show” will also result in the $100 cancellation fee.
To schedule an appointment, click on one of the appointment options below.
If you will not be burying your pet, please select one of the cremation options as an “add-on”.
Until we meet again…
Contact us
If you have any questions, please feel free to call, text, or send an email. Phone calls and emails received after business hours will be returned the following business day.
Business hours are Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm