Pet Loss

Saying Goodbye...           

Your companion animal is a member of your family.  In fact, your pet may be as important to you as children, siblings, or best friends are to other people.

Your pet is always there for you, never judges you, and accepts you no matter what you say, do, or feel.  Your pet offers you unconditional love and is part of your daily routine and activities.  It is completely natural, therefore, to feel negative emotions, such as sadness and anger, when facing the death of your pet.

Preparing for the end of your pet's life is a difficult process and requires you to make many decisions.  Our veterinarians and veterinary staff care about you and your companion animal, and we are prepared to guide your decision-making and offer you support along the way.

How to Prepare for Your Pet's Death

There are four important ways you can begin to heal the pain of losing your pet.  Taking these steps before, during, and after your pet's death will help make your feelings of loss and grief more manageable.

1. Say Good-bye - this doesn't mean you find ways to forget your pet.  Rather, it means you acknowledge you loss and find ways to allow the healing process to begin.
2. Make Decisions About Euthanasia - Because you know your pet better than anyone else, you will know when the time is right for euthanasia.  Our veterinarians are here to help you with that decision as well as describing what will happen during your pet's euthanasia if you are unsure what will happen during the process.
3. Make Decisions About Body Care - Burial at home, or we can assist you with our cremation services with or without the ashes returned to you.
4. Plan a Memorial - Make a scrapbook, or photo album of your pets pictures.  Make a donation to an animal charity in your pet's name.

Iron Mountain Animal Hospital has chosen Jacobs Funeral Homes Pet Services of Iron Mountain, Michigan to assist us in the after care of your pet.  They offer the following services which are:

• Transportation of your pet from your home or veterinary hospital to our facilities

• Private family goodbyes or pet memorial services

• Large selection of pet memorial products

• Assistance with pet cemetery arrangements

• Delivery of the urn with your pet's cremated remains to your home 

•  SecurePassages pet tracking system for your peace of mind

For more information on cremation process and the facility that we have chosen, visit their website at www.petpassages.com

When your pet dies, you will grieve.  Grieving is a necessary, unavoidable, and healthy response to loss.  Grief is different for everyone.  The lenth and intensity of your grief will be unique to you.  There are many pet loss support groups that can help you work through your grief.