We believe that it is crucial to reflect on the profound impact humane euthanasia can have on both pets and their devoted families. While the decision to say goodbye is undeniably agonizing, it’s a compassionate act born out of love, mercy, and the unyielding desire to alleviate suffering. So when we bought our mobile veterinary clinic, offering access to humane euthanasia was definitely going to be part of our monthly services that we offer our community.

Wednesday evening was our first Quality of Life Clinic (QLC) for pets who live with unhoused people and low income families, who cannot afford veterinary care, including humane euthanasia.  Access to humane euthanasia is not something that is widely discussed, and we do not receive a grant to fund this work, but we believe that it is an essential service. No family should feel that surrendering a pet to the shelter is their only option because they cannot afford end of life services at an animal hospital. Not every senior pet in dire medical condition was “dumped” by their owner. Many senior, suffering pets end up in shelters as a result of the high costs for humane euthanasia.

10 year old Daz received a Quality of Life exam and Dr. Hoffman was able to prescribe medication for his arthritis, and giving his family hope for improvement.

Our QLC runs from 4pm to 8pm, and can see up to eight patients, using our veterinary mobile clinic, and a second recovery room trailer. Our first patient, Aurora had advanced kidney failure, cancer, and was clearly suffering.  When her family tried to surrender her to the Harbor Shelter because they believed that was their only option to end her suffering, a staff member referred them to us, explaining that we would help Aurora.  Even though humane euthanasia was the “right thing to do”, it was very painful for them to make the decision. 

Lucky, an 11 year old Chihuahua / Terrier had been in our program for years. Despite trying several different types of treatments, multiple blood panels, monthly medications, his autoimmune disease was progressing rapidly, and he was clearly in pain.  His quality of life was poor.  Dr. Hoffman spent time with Lucky’s family, listening to all their concerns, and helping them ultimately come to the decision to humanely euthanize Lucky, ending his suffering.

Lucky’s family described him as their child. No words could express how much they loved him

16 year old Harley was blind, deaf, could no longer walk, and had stopped eating earlier in the week.  Her person is a senior citizen in poor health, so a family member brought Harley to our clinic.  Her family had already made up their mind to end her suffering, and Dr. Hoffman reassured them that they were making the kindest choice, and that Harley was in pain. Living on a fixed income, without our QLC, Harley may have been surrendered to a shelter where she would likely not be euthanized immediately, and she would have died alone.

16 year old Harley who has been loved by her family since she was a tiny puppy

11 year old Bella could not walk or even stand anymore.  Her family rescued her and guessed that she was about 11 years old.  Dr. Hoffman confirmed that there was no treatment to cure her, and that her quality of life was poor.  Bella’s family held her, crying, as they let her go. Our social worker Jackie offered the family some comfort and support before they left.

Bella’s family rescued her from the freeway

The last case was one that we all cried about because this little no name kitten who was about six months was feral, and severely injured.  With the help of our neighbors, we had trapped him, and hoped that we could save him, knowing that she would definitely lose a leg.  Upon examining kitten’s injuries, Dr. Hoffman determined that he was in far worse shape than we could see from a distance.  There was neurological, spinal damage that was bad.  While we were prepared to find a way to care for a tripod feral, learning that kitten had internal damage led us to our decision to humanely euthanize him.  Even though we didn’t know this kitten for more than a couple days, we all loved him and didn’t want to see him suffer.

We believe that it is crucial to reflect on the profound impact humane euthanasia can have on both pets and their devoted families. While the decision to say goodbye is undeniably agonizing, it’s a compassionate act born out of love, mercy, and the unyielding desire to alleviate suffering.

Let us not shy away from this difficult conversation, but rather embrace it with open hearts and minds. By advocating for compassionate end-of-life care for  all pets, we pave the way for a more compassionate and empathetic society—one where the bond between humans and animals is cherished and respected till the very end.

Together, let us strive to create a world where every pet receives the love, care, and dignity they deserve, even in their final moments. For in the end, it is not just about saying goodbye, but about ensuring that our beloved companions depart from this world with grace, surrounded by the love that has enriched their lives beyond measure.