A gentle goodbye, at home.
In-home euthanasia and palliative care — with time, space, and someone who has done this before.
Included
Available
Handled with care
Someone who has done this before.
End-of-life visits are handled by experienced Aluna veterinarians assigned by service area and availability. You will receive clear confirmation before the visit happens.
Aluna End-of-Life Team
Assigned by service area
Over a decade in emergency and critical care veterinary medicine. Has guided hundreds of families through end-of-life decisions with the same steady, unhurried approach she brings to every visit.
“There's no script for this. Every family needs something different — time, information, silence, or someone present who knows what they're doing. We follow your lead.”
We make sure you've spoken with your vet before they arrive. You'll know what to expect, and they'll know what matters to you.
When it may be more
than just aging.
The changes in a pet's final stage are often gradual. Easy to explain away, easy to miss. If several of these feel familiar, it may be the right time to speak with someone who can help you understand what they mean.
“You don't have to figure this out on your own — or make any decisions today.”
These often appear gradually and together — easy to explain away one at a time.
- Difficulty getting up, lying down, or moving around the house
- Significantly reduced appetite or stopped eating entirely
- Losing weight despite eating normally
- Laboured breathing or breathing harder than usual
- Obvious pain, wincing, or crying out when touched or moving
- Disorientation, confusion, or not recognising familiar people
- Incontinence — unable to control bladder or bowel
- No longer interested in things they used to enjoy
- Withdrawing from people or other animals in the home
- A look in their eyes — something you know isn't right
There's no right way. We follow your lead.
We don’t push you toward a decision. We give you the information and the time to make the one that’s right for you and your pet — with complete support either way.
Start with a conversation
A phone call at no charge. We talk through what you’re seeing, answer your questions, and help you understand your options. No commitment required.
Quality of life visit, if helpful
An unhurried in-home evaluation. We look at pain levels, mobility, appetite, and overall quality of life, then talk through what we find honestly.
When the time is right
In-home euthanasia, on your timeline. We create space for a goodbye that happens at home, in the quiet, with the people who love your pet.
What happens during a quality of life visit
It starts with what you've been seeing
Your observations matter. We begin with your concerns and what's changed at home — day to day, over time.
Your pet's comfort and condition are assessed
Mobility, breathing, awareness, appetite, and overall quality of life — evaluated gently and without rushing.
We talk through what's going on
What may be causing the changes, what it may look like moving forward, and what your options are — honestly.
Next steps are explored together
Continued support, natural progression, or euthanasia — each explained clearly, without pressure.
You'll leave with clarity
You'll understand where things stand, what to expect, and how to move forward — with a sense of calm and confidence rather than uncertainty.
The support doesn't stop there.
We stay in touch after the visit — with you and, where relevant, with any aftercare services you're using. You shouldn't have to figure this out alone.
Aquamation & cremation
We partner with a small, family-owned local provider to offer aquamation — a water-based process with no flames or harmful emissions that typically returns more remains than traditional cremation. Individual aquamation and communal aquamation are both available. We coordinate directly on your behalf.
Keepsakes
A bamboo paw print and cedar urn are included by default as part of aftercare. Additional keepsakes — a clay paw print and a framed ink nose print — are available on request and priced separately. Just let us know in advance.
Grief support
Losing a pet is a real loss. We can refer you to pet bereavement resources, counselors, and support groups in the Ventura and Ojai area. It's okay to need that.
Donations
We can help arrange the donation of your pet's belongings — beds, blankets, unopened food, supplies — to a local shelter, rescue organisation, or family in need.
“You'll hear from us a few days after. Not to check a box — because we genuinely want to know how you're doing.”
The first conversation is free.
A 20–30 minute call to understand what you’re seeing and explore your options. No charge, no obligation.
- Direct conversation with a vet
- Honest assessment of your situation
- No sales pressure
In-home assessment of your pet’s condition. We evaluate pain, mobility, and overall wellbeing — and review findings with you directly.
- Veterinarian travel and time
- Review of medical history and current condition
- Discussion of comfort, prognosis, and next steps
- Guidance without obligation to proceed with euthanasia
Peaceful, gentle, and unhurried. At home, with no time pressure, surrounded by the people and places that mattered most.
- Veterinarian travel and time
- All sedation and medications included
- Guidance before, during, and after the visit
- Transportation of your pet when aftercare is requested
- No rushed appointments
Medication amounts are determined by your pet’s weight, which is reflected in the final pricing. Euthanasia is provided only when medically appropriate, based on the veterinarian’s assessment.
Aftercare services and keepsakes are optional and priced separately. A bamboo paw print and cedar urn are included with euthanasia visits.
Remains returned in urn of your choice
Shared service, no remains returned
Prepared during the visit
Prepared during the visit
We're here when you need us.
Start with a conversation. There’s no commitment, no cost, and no wrong questions. We’ll take it from there.
End-of-life questions
Practical answers for timing, comfort, aftercare, and what to expect at home.
How do I know when it's time?
There’s no single answer, and that uncertainty is normal. We look at quality-of-life markers — whether your pet can eat, move, rest comfortably, and engage with their surroundings. The request review helps Aluna understand what you are observing and whether an in-home visit is the right next step. You do not have to have every answer before starting the request.
What if I'm not sure yet?
That’s exactly what the quality-of-life visit is for. It’s an honest, in-home assessment with no pressure to make any decisions. We evaluate pain, mobility, appetite, and engagement — and we tell you what we find. Some families leave feeling more time remains. Others feel clearer about next steps. Both outcomes are the right one.
What happens after I start the request?
Aluna reviews the details you submit, confirms service availability, and reaches out with next steps. The team will explain timing, preparation, and what to expect before the visit is confirmed.
Can I change my mind at any point?
Yes. There’s no point in this process where you’re committed to a decision. The request review is exploratory. The quality-of-life visit ends with information, not a plan. Even on the day of a scheduled euthanasia appointment, if you or your pet needs more time — we follow your lead.
Who will come to my home?
Your visit is assigned to an experienced Aluna veterinarian based on your location, service availability, and the needs described in your request. We confirm who is coming before the visit.
Can family be present?
Yes. The visit is at your home, on your terms. Children, other pets, anyone who matters to you and your pet — they can all be there. Some families want everyone present. Others prefer quiet. We follow whatever feels right for you.
How long does the visit take?
There’s no fixed time limit. We don’t rush. Most visits take 60–90 minutes, but if your family needs more time before, during, or after — that’s what we’re there for. There’s no next appointment waiting, no schedule we’re keeping to.
What happens after?
We stay as long as you need us. Before we leave, we’ll walk you through all your aftercare options — cremation, memorial keepsakes, grief support resources — and handle coordination on your behalf. You won’t have to make calls or arrangements while you’re still processing.