Resources
Downloadable Resources
In caring for your pet’s final stage of life, we believe all pet lovers deserve these tools
A Helpful Guide to Planning Ahead
We love our pets from the moment they come into our lives and become a part of our families. Yet being a pet parent or caregiver also comes with the heavy responsibility of making End-of-Life decisions. Preparing yourself in advance for the death of your pet, while extremely difficult, can be very helpful and may lessen some of the stress and burden of decision-making during an intensely emotional time.
Please take some time to reflect upon what is important to you, your pet, and your family in reviewing the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance’s (PLPA’s) Guide to Planning Ahead: A pre-planning Resource for Pet Parents.
Honouring the bond, the life, and the love.
Quality of Life Assessment Scales
We have QOL assessment scales that many families facing similar decisions have found helpful.
When using QOL scales, try to complete them at different times of the day, by multiple members of the family for comparison and differences in perspective.
Taking and reviewing pictures of your beloved pet can really help track those subtle changes that happen over time.
Our QOL Calendar, Scale, & Daily Diary
This scale describes 6 categories to help assess your pet’s condition: Mobility, Nutrition, Hydration, Interaction/Attitude, Elimination, and Favourite things.
Each categories is scored from 0 - 2, with 0 being unacceptable, and 2 being normal or good.
Scores 9-12 = everything is OK, 6-8 requires intervention (hospice and palliative care), <5 consider euthanasia.
More Quality of Life Scales
This scale has 14 different categories
Each category is given a score 0-5
Tallied scores/70 = a % QOL Score
QOL scores 0-25% = very poor, 25-50% = poor, 50-75% decreased to good, 75-100% = excellent
Recommendations are also listed in regards to how best to proceed
This scale describes 7 parameters that can be tracked in chronic and progressive diseases: Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Hurt, Happiness, Mobility, and More good days than bad
Each parameter gets a score from 1 - 10, with 0 being unacceptable and 10 being excellent
Scores > 35 = acceptable QOL for pets
Geared towards your pet’s happiness and sense of wellbeing
Reach out to us if there is a low score on any of the measures
J- Jumping or Mobility
O - Ouch or Pain
U - Uncertainty and Understanding (factors that affect YOU)
R - Respiration and Breathing
N - Neatness or Hygiene
E - Eating and Drinking
Y - You
S- Social Ability
How Will I Know?
Assessing Quality of Life and Making Difficult Decisions for Your Pet
The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center has a 10-page brochure through their Honouring the Bond Program addressing these complex & difficult questions.
View brochure here:
Talking with children
How do I talk to my children about death?
How may grief from losing a pet affect my child?
How can I support my child through pet loss?
These, among others, are common questions parents may face when dealing with the last stage in their pet’s lives.
Below are some resources for you
Testimonials from Clients
For more peace of mind and to help build your trust, read our client testimonials
Children’s Pet Loss Support Books
Dr. Erica reads one of her favourite pet loss support books for Children: The Invisible Leash by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.
This beautiful story helps children dealing with the emotions of pet loss understand that although they may not see their pet, they are always connected to their pet. The Invisible Leash offers children some comfort to help them cope with the loss of their beloved companion animal.
This story is a companion to the best selling picture book The Invisible String, sharing a similar idea of inter-connectedness.
Both are must-reads for all ages!Dr. Erica Dickie, DVM, CHPV reads one of her favourite pet loss books for Children: The Invisible Leash …
Recognizing the Importance of Pet Loss
“Losing the connection with our pets - their complete acceptance of who we are, their unconditional love, their quiet presence during difficult times - can affect us at the deepest and most elemental psychoemotional levels.”
The Ontario Veterinary College Pet Trust has developed 3 beautifully written Pet Loss Support Guides
Until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB) is a valuable resource for every pet parent.
The ALPB is made up of professionally trained volunteers in pet bereavement counselling.
They offer online chat rooms for help in dealing with:
Pet Loss
Anticipatory Bereavement
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Ever considered making a Bucket List for your pet?
How wonderful to spend your pet’s final stages of life together in the most meaningful way possible . . . creating a bucket list for your beloved friend can help pet parents become empowered during their pet’s End-of-Life journey.
Unsure how to begin creating a bucket list for your dear friend?
Check out these 5 steps and start brainstorming yours today.
Introducing the new Pet Compassion Careline
You don’t have to face this alone.
24/7 Grief Support
Losing a pet is one of the most difficult things a person can experience. Whether it is sudden or anticipated, the loss of a pet is a highly emotional time. We are proud to offer the Pet Compassion Careline, exclusive to all Gateway partner clinics and pet parents. Available in English, Spanish and French, pet parents and their families will have access to experienced, professional, and confidential counselors.
CALL 1 (855) 245-8214 TO REACH A COUNSELOR TODAY
Grief is a normal response following the loss of a pet.
More information & resources for support, including stages & symptoms of grief, can be found below.
Further pet loss support for children
“If you are old enough to love, you are old enough to grieve”
❤️ We proudly provide these complimentary colouring books to our pet families 🌈🐾
Below are some activities for school-age and young children that some have found helpful in coping with the loss of a beloved pet.
“I will always remember you because…” colouring page: Dogs & Cats
“You’re in my thoughts” drawing page: Boys & Girls
“Remembering My Pet” activity sheet: all children
Dr. Erica speaks about the feelings of guilt and second-guessing that come with pet loss of all kinds.
Memorialization
There can be great healing through remembering and memorializing.
View our article on memorialization ideas to further honour the bond, the life and the love shared with your beloved pet.
Please see our Honouring page to view some heartfelt tributes.
Home Burial Guidelines
Each municipality has their own by-laws and legislation regarding home burial, if this option is something you are considering, please contact your city/township office to learn more.
Please note: You must own the property or have obtained permission from the owner of the private property before burying your pet.
If you are unable to bury your pet within a few hours of their death, it is advisable to keep the body in a cold storage area.
It is recommended to dig the hole at least 4 feet deep, but also 4 feet above the ground water table, and cover with at least 4 feet of earth.
Avoid rocky areas and tree roots.
Maintain a 100 foot separation from wells or waterways.
Also be aware of any buried water, gas, or power lines.
Do not bury in a low-lying area, gully, or ditch that is prone to flooding.
You can bury your pet wrapped in a natural fibre blanket, cardboard, or wooden box. Avoid synthetic fibres and plastic bags.
For added protection from wild animals, you may choose to cover the burial spot with rocks.
YouTube Video Channel
We’re always looking for opportunities to share news and relevant information to our pet families.
You may subscribe to our channel below to find more pet comfort care tips.