Euthanasia and Cremation Services at Charlotte Street Animal Hospital

The doctors and staff at Charlotte Street Animal Hospital are pet owners too. We each deeply love and respect animals and honor the special bond between humans and their furry family members. Our passion is to provide the best veterinary care for your pet and to keep them happy and healthy for many years. We understand that the end of life process can be very difficult, and want to work with you to ensure your pet’s comfort and quality of life for as long as possible.  If at any time you contemplate euthanasia, feel confident that we do provide the service to ease this transition for your family. 

Deciding When It Is Time
Deciding when the time is right for humane euthanasia involves considering a multitude of factors. Your veterinarian can help make the process less confusing. Some people seek guidance from animal communicators in determining whether it is time to let go. We recommend referencing a Quality of Life Scale to help inform your decision. Though determining quality of life is not an exact science, we find The HHHHHMM Scale developed by Dr. A.E. Villalobos to be very helpful in assessing your pet's level of comfort and happiness.

Another resource that you may find helpful is the Veterinary Wisdom for Pet Parents website.
 
Aftercare Options
Communal Cremation: Your pet will be cremated and then buried at the pet memorial site.  Your pet's ashes will not be returned to you.

Individual Cremation: Your pet will be cremated individually and the ashes will be returned to you.  The ashes should be returned to the animal hospital within a week; you will receive a phone call from our hospital informing you when the wooden urn arrives.  At your convenience—and you can take as much time as you need—please come during our office hours to pick up your pet's ashes.  

Home Burial: We will gently and respectfully place your pet into a biodegradable casket should you prefer the after care option of home burial.

Grieving and Pet Loss information:
Feeling overwhelmed by grief? Feeling isolated at the emptiness by the loss of your beloved pet? Join others who share similar feelings at the PET LOSS SUPPORT GROUP. Meets monthly – first Wed 6:00 p.m. Unitarian Church – Jefferson House 21 Edwin Place, Asheville. Individual counseling also available. For more information, call Christy Gunther, MA LPC at (828) 258-3229.

or

"Paws on the Heart" Pet Loss & Grief Support Group

   Coping with a serious illness or death of a pet can be a devastating experience to individuals sharing their lives with animals.  Losing a pet from divorce or other situations can be equally devastating and stressful.  It’s also an emotional time for individuals working with animals on a daily basis.

        It’s never easy saying goodbye, whether it’s a family grieving the loss of a beloved pet at age fifteen or a veterinarian and staff ending the suffering of a patient and consoling their clients. The human-animal bond runs deep; being able to express one’s feelings and emotions when experiencing a loss is both helpful and healing.

"Paws on the Heart"
The 2nd Sunday of each month -   3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Sunday, December 11 ~ January 8 ~ February 12
Location:  American Red Cross
100 Edgewood Road – Asheville, NC 28804
(Corner of Merrimon & Edgewood – behind the Atlanta Bread Company)

     Facilitating the support group are two avid animal lovers who strongly believe in the importance of honoring the pets in our lives: Rev. Gerry Smith, chaplain at Mission Hospital for 31 years and Rev. Dan McCurry, retired hospital trauma chaplain interested in music therapies and animal behavior.

      There is no cost to attend, but donations to help ACN’s rescued dogs and cats are appreciated.  Reservations are encouraged but not required.  For more information please contact, Cappy Tosetti, volunteer program coordinator:
(828) 707-7203     ~      Tosetti.cappy@gmail.com

      Founded in 1997, Animal Compassion Network is Western North Carolina’s largest, nonprofit,
safe-for-life animal welfare organization. The organization’s mission is to end the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable pets in our community by finding lifelong, stable and loving homes for companion animals in need; by offering assistance to the community’s pets to help ensure their well-being and keep them in their homes; by advocating for animal welfare; and by educating the public about the contributions companion animals make to happy families and healthy communities.    Visit  www.animalcompassionnetwork.org  for more information.