If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to us for more information.
Everything you need to know about planning, preparing for, and being present for your pet’s euthanasia, whether at home or in our Comfort Center.
We offer two options:
• In-home euthanasia, where we come to you
• In-center euthanasia, held in one of our private Comfort Rooms in Downtown LA
Both are designed to give you a peaceful and personal way to say goodbye.
You can schedule directly online, or call/text us at (323) 515-1234. We’re here to walk you through it if you need support.
Yes. We understand how emotional and overwhelming this moment can be. Before anything begins, your veterinarian will walk you through what to expect and give you the time you need to ask questions or talk things through.
Families appreciate that we don’t do anything clinical that would interrupt the intimacy of the moment, such as shaving fur with clippers, placing an IV catheter, or moving their pet from where they’re most comfortable.
For the first step, the veterinarian will gently administer a fast-acting sedative. This allows your pet fall into a deep, anesthesia-level sleep, where they are completely unaware and unable to experience any discomfort or anxiety. Most pets begin to relax within a few minutes as the sedative takes effect.
Once your pet is fully asleep, the veterinarian will give the final injection. For most pets this injection is administered into the liver, which allows for a gentler and more peaceful passing over the course of about 10 minutes. Alternatively, an injection into a vein can be given, where death will occur in a matter of seconds. At Honor Pet, we prefer to give the final injection within the liver whenever possible. Unlike an IV injection, where death is very abrupt, an organ injection allows families to say their final goodbyes over several minutes instead of seconds.
Appointments are scheduled for up to one hour, with most visits lasting around 30 to 45 minutes.
You don’t need to prepare anything. We’ll take care of the details so you can focus on your pet.
Our veterinarian will bring:
• Soft blankets and absorbent pads
• Everything needed for a peaceful, gentle goodbye
• Support for cremation arrangements, if chosen
• Notification to your primary veterinarian, so you don’t have to make that call
There’s nothing else you need to provide. Just be there with your pet and with each other.
Yes. In those early moments, your pet will absolutely feel your touch, your voice, and your love. Once the sedation takes effect, they will drift into a deep, painless sleep. From that point on, they’re no longer aware of what’s happening around them, but their final experiences are those of comfort and being surrounded by those who love them most.
If your pet is still eating, it’s absolutely okay to offer them a favorite treat or meal. On rare occasions, sedation can cause nausea, but this is usually related to your pet’s condition or sensitivity to medication and not the food itself. Letting them enjoy something they love is a meaningful way to bring comfort.
As for medications, the only ones we recommend giving on the day of euthanasia are those that support comfort, such as pain relief or anti-nausea meds. These will not interfere with the process.
This is a personal decision, and we trust you to know what’s right for your child.
Many families choose to include their children in the goodbye, giving them a chance to ask questions, express love, and be part of the moment. In our experience, children over five are often deeply present and engaged. Younger children may not fully understand what’s happening and can sometimes be more affected by the emotions around them.
You’re welcome to have your child in the room, in another part of the home, or not present at all. Whatever you choose, we recommend open, age-appropriate communication to help your child understand and process the experience.
If your child isn’t present during euthanasia, they can still say goodbye afterward, by writing a letter, sharing a memory, or being part of a special ritual you create together.
If you’d like help thinking through how to support your child, our care team is here.
Yes. At home, your other pets are naturally part of the space and are welcome to be present. At our Comfort Center, you’re also welcome to bring them with you if it feels meaningful. Many families find it comforting to have all their animals together to say goodbye.
Many pets feel unsure or protective when someone unfamiliar enters their space. That’s completely normal. Our veterinarians use a calm, gentle approach designed to reduce stress and help your pet feel safe. If your pet tends to be extra anxious or might react fearfully, just let our team know ahead of time. We’ll work with you to make the experience as peaceful as possible.
f you’ve chosen cremation, we continue caring for your pet ourselves.
For in-home appointments, your veterinarian will gently transport your pet to our Comfort Center after the visit.
For in-center appointments, your pet is already with us, and remains in our care throughout.
We handle every step of the cremation ourselves and your pet never leaves our care.
Your pet’s ashes are returned in our beautifully curated Honor Box, which includes:
- Sustainable scatter tube
- Fur clipping in a glass vial
- Digital nose print
- Beeswax candle in a keepsake pouch
- Forget-me-not seeds
- Personalized Certificate of Water Cremation
- A tree planted in your pet’s honor
This is one of the most important questions we get, and we take it seriously. Every pet is cared for individually, with digital tracking and multiple layers of verification at every step. Nothing is ever rushed or handed off. Because we own and operate our own crematory, your pet never leaves our care. That means we can promise—with complete confidence—that the ashes you receive are truly theirs.
If you choose communal cremation, your pet’s ashes will be scattered at Little Whiskers, Honor Pet’s sanctuary for remembrance.
Little Whiskers is ten acres of protected hillside in Temecula, cared for by veterinarian and Honor Pet co-founder Dr. Shea Cox.
Families can visit mylittlewhiskers.com to see where their pet rests and stay connected to them.
Dr. Shea personally cares for the scattering each pet’s ashes, so families can know exactly who is caring for their pet and that it’s being done with deep respect and care.
Grief is complicated, and it shows up differently for everyone. You might feel heartbroken, numb, guilty, relieved, or all of those things at once. Whatever you're feeling, you’re not alone.
We offer free pet loss support with our licensed social worker, and can connect you with helpful tools, resources, and community to support you through this time.
Everything you need to know about arranging cremation, what to expect during your visit, and how we care for your pet every step of the way.
If your pet has passed at home and you would like us to provide cremation, we can help you with what comes next.
You have two options:
• You can schedule a time to bring your pet to our Comfort Center in the Arts District of Los Angeles.
• Or, we can arrange a home pickup and bring your pet into our care directly.
No matter what you choose, your pet will be treated with love and respect every step of the way. Our team will walk you through the process, answer any questions you have, and ensure you feel supported from the first call to the return of your pet’s ashes.
Appointments can be made by phone, text, email, or online.
(323) 515-1234 | care@honor.pet
We handle every part of the process ourselves. From the moment you arrive to the moment your pet’s ashes return home, they remain in our care. Every step is carried out by our team with compassion and attention. You’ll always know what’s happening, and you’ll never have to wonder where your pet is or who is with them.
Some families prefer a brief visit, where they simply place their pet into our care and leave. Others want more time to say goodbye and wish to spend time in our tranquil comfort room. You’re welcome to do whatever feels right.
If you wish to spend private time in our comfort room, you’ll find:
• Artful stationery to write a letter or note
• A flower station to create a memorial bouquet
• Champagne, if you wish to raise a toast
• Freedom to include any personal ritual
• Room for family members, including other pets
No. The appointment is your time to bring your pet to our Comfort Center and shape the experience that feels right for you. The water cremation itself begins afterward and takes about one day to complete, followed by 1–2 days to prepare the ashes. Your pet’s ashes will be ready within 7 days.
Cremation begins three days after your pet arrives in our care. This allows time for you to receive your memorial link and make any keepsake selections without feeling rushed and to ensure you can honor your pet the way you’ve chosen.
For individual cremation, ashes are ready to return home within seven business days from entering our care.
Your pet’s ashes are returned in our beautifully curated Honor Box, which includes:
- Sustainable scatter tube
- Fur clipping in a glass vial
- Digital nose print
- Beeswax candle in a keepsake pouch
- Forget-me-not seeds
- Personalized Certificate of Water Cremation
- A tree planted in your pet’s honor
Families have three options for receiving ashes after an individual cremation:
• You can pick them up from our Comfort Center during business hours
• We can mail them to you via USPS Priority Express with tracking and signature release
• We offer local hand delivery for an additional fee, coordinated with our team
All ashes are returned in our curated Honor Box, and each option is handled with the same care and attention your pet has received from the beginning.
This is one of the most important questions we get, and we take it seriously. Every pet is cared for individually, with digital tracking and multiple layers of verification at every step. Nothing is ever rushed or handed off. Because we own and operate our own crematory, your pet never leaves our care. That means we can promise—with complete confidence—that the ashes you receive are truly theirs.
If you choose communal cremation, your pet’s ashes will be scattered at Little Whiskers, Honor Pet’s sanctuary for remembrance.
Little Whiskers is ten acres of protected hillside in Temecula, cared for by veterinarian and Honor Pet co-founder Dr. Shea Cox.
Families can visit mylittlewhiskers.com to see where their pet rests and stay connected to them.
Dr. Shea personally cares for the scattering each pet’s ashes, so families can know exactly who is caring for their pet and that it’s being done with deep respect and care
Grief is complicated, and it shows up differently for everyone. You might feel heartbroken, numb, guilty, relieved, or all of those things at once. Whatever you're feeling, you’re not alone.
We offer free pet loss support with our licensed social worker, and can connect you with helpful tools, resources, and community to support you through this time.
Everything you need to know about how the process works, what makes it different, and how we care for your pet after goodbye.
Water cremation, also called aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis, is a gentle, flame-free alternative to traditional cremation. It uses water, warmth, and a small amount of alkali to return the body to its natural elements, leaving only the mineral remains of the bones.
Families often choose aquamation for its gentle process, lower environmental impact, and the increased volume of ashes returned.
Your pet is placed in a stainless steel chamber filled with 95% water and 5% alkali. The water is gently circulated and warmed to break down soft tissue, leaving only the bones. These are then dried and processed into the ashes returned to you.
The aquamation process takes about 18 to 20 hours. After that, the bones are dried for 1 to 2 days and carefully prepared into ashes. Your pet’s ashes will be ready to return to you within 14 days.
Yes. Water cremation uses 90% less energy than flame cremation and creates no harmful emissions. With every aquamation, we plant a tree in your pet’s honor and provide online tracking in our Honor Forest.
This is one of the most important questions we get, and we take it seriously. Every pet is cared for individually, with digital tracking and multiple layers of verification at every step. Nothing is ever rushed or handed off. Because we own and operate our own crematory, your pet never leaves our care. That means we can promise—with complete confidence—that the ashes you receive are truly theirs.
Yes. Each pet is placed in their own enclosed, private chamber. While there are multiple chambers, each pet is in their own space and are fully separated from other pets. You will receive only your pet’s ashes.
If you choose communal cremation, your pet’s ashes will be scattered at Little Whiskers, Honor Pet’s sanctuary for remembrance.
Little Whiskers is ten acres of protected hillside in Temecula, cared for by veterinarian and Honor Pet co-founder Dr. Shea Cox.
Families can visit mylittlewhiskers.com to see where their pet rests and stay connected to them.
Dr. Shea personally cares for the scattering each pet’s ashes, so families can know exactly who is caring for their pet and that it’s being done with deep respect and care.
The ashes are a soft, fine powder, usually light tan or white. Because the process is gentler than flame cremation, you receive about 20% more ashes.
Yes. The ashes are fully sterilized and safe to handle, scatter, or store.
You can scatter them, bury them, or keep them in a special place. We also offer meaningful memorial items like jewelry, reef tributes, and framed prints. You can explore these at store.honor.pet
You are welcome to include small, organic items to stay with your pet during cremation.
Because of how water cremation works, only items made of natural materials (things the process can gently break down) can be included. If you’re unsure whether something is appropriate, feel free to ask our care team and we will guide you.