Dr. Jeff Berkshire and the team of veterinarians at Lifting Stars offer kind, humane, and compassionate end-of-life care in the place where your pet feels at ease: at home, surrounded by the people who love them most. Our goal is to honour your pet’s life with respect and comfort, and to provide a dignified process that allows you to keep your happiest memories close to your heart.
Our experienced and empathetic veterinarians and support specialists share in the belief that providing end-of-life care within the home is a peaceful and humane way to navigate an incredibly difficult moment. We want our pet companions to live forever, but they can’t. What is possible, however, is to say goodbye to them in a calm and familiar setting. Being at home is more comforting for them, and it’s more comforting for the humans who love them, too.
We are based in Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood, and provide our mobile pet euthanasia services across most of Metro Vancouver, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, North Vancouver, Deep Cove, West Vancouver, Surrey, Maple Ridge, and Langley.
Read on to learn more about our process. When you’re ready, you can fill out our form to start the process of requesting a visit, or reach out using the contact info below to get help and advice on planning your next steps.
Every family and pet is unique, and no one grieves the same way. Our process prioritizes calm, comfort, and dignity for both you and your animal companion, so that you can take the time you need to say goodbye in your own way.
When our veterinarian arrives at your home, the first thing we will do is undertake a wellness assessment of your pet, and speak with you about what’s been going on with their health. After our assessment, we’ll talk with you about your options and give you all the information you need to decide if it’s the right moment to go ahead with euthanasia. If there are still viable palliative options and you wish to know about them, we will outline those for you as well.
If you decide that it is the right moment for euthanasia, we will give you some time to choose a spot and get comfortable with your pet. When you’re ready, our veterinarian will administer a sedative that helps them fall asleep so that they feel no pain or anxiety. Once they are asleep (this happens quickly), we will dispense a medication that helps your pet humanely pass. From there, depending on what you need, we’ll typically give you a bit more time alone with your pet so that you can say goodbye on your own terms.
When we return, we’ll assist you with your aftercare options, including your options for cremation services and, if you wish, a memorial keepsake. If you wish, you will also be welcome to send us a photo and a few words about your companion for our Pet Tribute page.
The Lifting Stars at-home euthanasia process is centred in respect, kindness, and empathy. We’ve been through this, and we know how hard it is. Our goal is to honour your pet’s life, and help you preserve the good memories of the bond you shared together. We strive to provide a gentle transition that relieves your pet’s suffering and allows you to say goodbye in a heartfelt and meaningful way.
If you have any questions about at-home cremation or our quality-of-life assessment, please reach out. You can call us at 778-840-5438 or use our contact form.
We partner with Gateway Pet Memorial Services in Surrey to offer cremation services after euthanasia. You can read more about our private and communal cremation options, what happens after the cremation, and other cremation FAQs on our Pet Cremation Services page.
We offer a range of options to help you keep the cherished memory of your pet in your home and heart. A keepsake fur clipping is included free with our services on request. If you have chosen private cremation, we also have five standard urn options that are included in the cremation fee.
Please get in touch with us if you would like to receive more information on memorial and keepsake options. We kindly ask for you to make note of any memorial and/or keepsake items that interest you and inform us when you schedule your appointment.
You can find more questions and answers on our FAQ page. If you have any questions that are not answered on this site, our team is ready to help. You can use the contact information below to get in touch, or use our contact form to send your questions or request a visit.
The only truly important thing is to spend peaceful, loving time with your pet. Beyond that, you can read some advice on how to prepare yourself, your pet, and your home in-home euthanasia visit, along with a step-by-step explanation of what will happen, on our What to Expect page.
If you still have more questions about the mobile euthanasia process and how you can prepare your home and your family, reach out to us and our knowledgeable and respectful support specialists speak with you about everything you need to know.
There are many options for emotional support resources after the loss of a beloved pet. You are more than welcome to call our Support Specialists during our regular working hours to learn more about some of the resources that are available to you. You might also want to look through our Grief Resources page, where you’ll find links to local professional counselling services, free online grief resources, support groups, books, and other recommend supports to help you cope with pet loss. If you feel like you need additional support, please tell us. It can be easy to underestimate how difficult it is to lose a pet, and how long the grieving process can take. It’s important to reach out to friends, your regular veterinary hospital, or professional counsellors if and when you need help.
Yes, your family members, including your children, can be present during your pet’s at-home euthanasia appointment if you decide that is right for your family. When it comes to kids and pet euthanasia, you will be the best judge of whether or not it is best for your children to stay for the procedure. For some children, it can be an important emotional experience, and can help them understand and cope with the loss. For others, it can be frightening or stressful. You know your kids best, just as you know your pet best, and whether it would be comforting or stressful for them as well.
If you would like additional support for helping your children through this moment, visit our Grief Resources page, where we provide a few links to recommended articles and support for children experiencing grief.
At Lifting Stars Veterinary Homecare, we understand the emotional complexity involved in the decision to euthanize a pet. We are dedicated to providing compassionate support for your pet’s comfort through our in-home pet euthanasia. Call us today to learn more about our home euthanasia in Vancouver. You can find our full contact information at the bottom of this page.
