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Catnip Veterinary Care is dedicated to providing gentle, stress-free veterinary service for your pet in the convenience of your home. Since we are not a full-service, brick and mortar hospital, there may be a time when your pet needs additional in-depth diagnostic testing, hospitalization or surgery. For your convenience, we have provided a listing of some of the area's specialty hospitals.*
215-536-6245
2250 North Old Bethlehem Pike
Quakertown, PA 18951
www.quakertownvetclinic.com
Open 24 hours
610-775-7535
400 West Lancaster Avenue #2418
Shillingtown, PA 19607
www.baerc.com
Open 24 hours
610-435-1553
210 Fullerton Avenue
Whitehall, PA 18052
www.vcvrec.com
Open 24 hours
610-224-7874
7525 Tilghman Street
Allentown, PA 18106
Open evenings and weekends
Call the poison control hotline number* if you suspect your pet has been poisoned.
Consultation fees vary.
888-426-4435
Catnip Veterinary Care provides In-Home Euthanasia service and offers Cremation Services as an aftercare option. We proudly partner with Keystone Pet Cemetery and will make those arrangements for you to ease this difficult experience.*
877-GRIEF-10
12 noon - 12 midnight (ET)
888-332-7738
9am - 5pm, Mon - Fri
Often the loss of a pet is the first experience with death and grief for a young person and it can be a confusing, sad,and scary time for them. The home euthanasia process is a gentle one and allowing children the choice to be present to say good bye, as well as giving them permission to change their mind, can empower them and give them a sense of inclusion.
On the other hand, parents may choose not to have their children present to be able to focus on the pet and their own grief process, which is also a very valid decision. Children can be included in the pet loss process in other ways, such as creating a memorial, planting a garden, lighting a candle, telling stories about the pet, help choose the pet's final resting place or a favorite toy or blanket that should stay with the pet. Having non-verbal outlets to express their grief is especially important for children, and creative activities can be particularly helpful for them.
With very young children it is helpful to use clear, simple, and gentle explanations such as “Buddy's body isn't working anymore and is tying to die but it hurts him. A doctor needs to help him die so he doesn't hurt anymore.”
Keep communication open, and respect each child's unique process. Some children may be inconsolable for days or weeks, while others may go back to playing within a few hours. It's okay to cry, feel sad, angry, relieved, or any other feelings. Naming all those feelings they're experiencing can also help kids cope as they go through the grief process. Parents sharing their own feelings can help validate the emotions a child may experience.
As parents, we know we can't protect our children from all the pain in the world, and going through the loss of a beloved pet can be an opportunity for growth and teach important lessons about life, love, gratitude, and resilience.
An excellent guide from Ohio State University: https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/sites/default/files/files/companion/HTB/Helping%20Children%20Cope%20Printable%20%282013%29.pdf
* All Resource info is provided as a convenience and is believed to be current and correct. While we attempt to keep this info up to date, it is subject to change.
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