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Putting Your Pet To Sleep - Euthanasia
Making the decision to euthanize a pet (that is, put a pet to sleep) is a difficult one even when it is clearly the only way to relieve your pet's suffering. Once you have let your pet go it is natural to feel a sense of sadness and loss. With time these feelings should change so that you are able to recall all the happy memories of your pet without becoming sad.
Sometimes it is difficult to make this transition. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your grief, we encourage you to seek help.
Hospice of Arizona offers a compassionate ongoing grief support group for pet owners that meets from 5:30 to 7 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1241 W. Warner Road, Suite 110, Tempe, AZ 85284. You are invitied to bring a favorite picture of your pet to share with others. This group is free and open to any family member who has lost a beloved pet. Space is limited and an RSVP is required to attend. Please call (602) 678 1313 and speak to Kathleen Cornwell if you have any questions or would like to RSVP.
You may also call one of the Pet Loss Support Hotlines listed below and talk to a counselor. If your pet was a patient of ours, you are always free to call Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital and ask to speak to someone for grief counseling.
PET LOSS SUPPORT PHONE NUMBERS
607 253 3932
517 432 2696
614 292 1823
508 839 7966
540 231 8038
509 335 5704
800 565 1526
877 394 2273
888 478 7574
Several of these hotline are manned by faculty and staff of veterinary schools. Many of these hotlines have been impacted by the financial crisis and may not be active or may have only limited staff hours. Please let us know if any of these numbers are inactive by emailing info@azeah.com. (Note that some of the phone numbers are toll free and some may have long-distance charges.)
Do not rely on these hotlines if you are feeling depressed or suicidal. Please call your doctor or one of the suicide prevention hotlines instead! A list of hotlines may be found at http://www.suicide.org/hotlines/arizona-suicide-hotlines.html
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