Frequently Asked Questions

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the most difficult experiences a family can face. Our goal is to make your pet's final moments as comfortable, gentle, and peaceful as possible in the familiar surroundings of home.

When Dr. Cortinas arrives, she will take time to meet with you, answer any questions, and explain what to expect before proceeding. Your pet will first receive sedation to help them become comfortable and deeply relaxed. You and your family will have time to be together and say goodbye. When you are ready, the euthanasia medication will be administered.

We understand that every family and every pet is different, and you will never be rushed through this important time.

To help create a calm, stress-free environment for your pet, we recommend the following:

Choose a Comfortable Location. Select a quiet, familiar area where your pet feels safe and relaxed, such as their favorite bed, blanket, spot on the couch, or a sunny place in the yard.

Gather Favorite Comfort Items. Surround your pet with familiar blankets, toys, or personal items that bring them comfort.

Offer a Special Treat. If your pet is still interested in food, this can be a meaningful opportunity to offer a favorite meal or special treat. Many families choose to share foods their pet has always loved, creating one final happy memory together.

Create a Peaceful Environment. Consider dimming bright lights, turning off televisions, and minimizing distractions to create a calm atmosphere.

Family Members and Other Pets. Family members are welcome to be present throughout the visit. We also recognize that other pets often grieve alongside us and may want to remain close. To allow our medical team to focus entirely on providing gentle, seamless care, we kindly ask that other pets be supervised by a family member or given a quiet space nearby while we are actively working. Once your pet is resting comfortably or the procedure is complete, other pets are welcome to remain by their side.

Our goal is to keep your pet as comfortable and relaxed as possible throughout the process. Sedation is administered first to help your pet become deeply relaxed before the euthanasia medication is given.

Every pet is different, and Dr. Cortinas will carefully assess your pet and proceed at a pace that prioritizes their comfort.

Most appointments last approximately 30 minutes to one hour.

Every pet and family is different, so we allow the visit to unfold at a comfortable pace. This gives us time to answer your questions, allow the sedation to take full effect, and give you and your family the time you need to say goodbye.

Guidance and Support
When Dr. Cortinas arrives, she will take time to meet with you, answer your questions, and explain what to expect before proceeding.

Sedation and Comfort
Your pet will first receive sedation to help them become deeply relaxed and comfortable. We allow the sedation time to take full effect before moving forward.

Preparing for the Final Injection
Once your pet is fully sedated and resting comfortably, a protective absorbent pad will be placed beneath your pet and Dr. Cortinas will place an intravenous (IV) catheter. These steps are completed before the final euthanasia medication is administered.

The Final Medication
When you and your family are ready, the euthanasia medication will be administered through the IV catheter. Dr. Cortinas will remain with you throughout the process and will confirm when your pet has passed.

Private Time With Your Pet
Afterward, you and your family will be given private, uninterrupted time with your pet. There is no need to rush this goodbye.

We offer several aftercare options so you can choose what feels right for your pet and your family.

Private Cremation
Your pet is privately cremated, and their ashes are returned to you.

Communal Cremation
Your pet is cremated communally with other beloved pets, and ashes are not returned.

Family-Arranged Aftercare — Simplicity Package
Families choosing our Simplicity Package have the flexibility to make their own aftercare arrangements. Your pet remains in your care following our visit, and there are several options available:

• You may work with your primary veterinarian to coordinate cremation services.
• You may choose home burial, where permitted by local regulations. If you are considering burial, please be sure to follow all applicable local ordinances and requirements.
• You may work directly with a local pet aftercare provider.

We are proud to recommend Paws In Heaven, a locally owned and operated pet aftercare provider, as our preferred independent aftercare provider.

Paws In Heaven can come to your home following our visit to transport your pet into their care, or you may choose to bring your pet directly to their facility. They also offer expedited cremation services, allowing families to receive their pet's cremated remains within just a few business days.

For complete package details and pricing, please visit our Aftercare Options page.

For families choosing our Memorial or Peace of Mind Package, Shepherd's Embrace coordinates the cremation and aftercare arrangements for you. We currently partner with Lasting Paws for these services.

Families choosing the Simplicity Package make their own aftercare arrangements. For those families, we are proud to recommend Paws In Heaven, a locally owned and operated pet aftercare provider, as our preferred independent aftercare provider.

Paws In Heaven can come to your home following our visit to transport your pet into their care, or you may choose to bring your pet directly to their facility. They also offer expedited cremation services, allowing families to receive their pet's cremated remains within just a few business days.

Private cremation means that your pet is cremated individually, and the cremated remains returned to you are those of your pet.

This option allows families to keep their pet's ashes as a lasting memorial. Some families choose to keep the urn in a special place at home, while others may scatter or incorporate the ashes into a memorial that is meaningful to them.

Private cremation is included with our Memorial Package. For complete details about what is included, please visit our Aftercare Options page.

Communal cremation means that your pet is cremated together with other beloved pets. Because the cremation is performed collectively, individual ashes are not returned to the family.

This can be a meaningful option for families who would like professional aftercare but do not wish to have their pet's ashes returned.

Communal cremation is included with our Peace of Mind Package. For complete details about what is included, please visit our Aftercare Options page.

Deciding when it may be time to say goodbye is one of the most difficult decisions we make for the pets we love. There is rarely one single sign that tells us when the time is right.

Consider your pet’s overall quality of life. Are they still able to enjoy the things that once brought them happiness? Are they eating and drinking comfortably? Can they rest, breathe, move around and go to the bathroom without significant difficulty? Most importantly, are there still more good days than difficult ones?

Your family veterinarian can be an important resource when making this decision. Because they know your pet’s medical history and current condition, they can help you understand whether additional treatment may improve your pet’s comfort or whether euthanasia may be the most compassionate option.

If you are struggling with this decision, our Quality of Life Scale may also help you evaluate your pet’s comfort and well-being.

You do not have to wait until your pet is experiencing a crisis to begin thinking about or planning for end-of-life care. Taking time to consider your options in advance can allow you to make decisions thoughtfully and focus on your pet’s comfort.

Shepherd’s Embrace Veterinary Care provides scheduled in-home euthanasia and is not an emergency veterinary service.

If your pet is experiencing an urgent medical crisis or requires immediate medical attention, please contact your family veterinarian or seek care at:

El Paso Animal Emergency
1220 Airway Blvd.
El Paso, TX 79925
(915) 545-1148

If you believe your pet is suffering and cannot comfortably wait for a scheduled in-home appointment, please do not delay seeking emergency care.

We understand that emergencies can happen unexpectedly, especially with pets nearing the end of life. Our priority is ensuring that your pet receives the care they need as quickly as possible.