Pet Hospice
&
In-home Euthanasia
Compassionate care when it counts most
Helping you give your last gift of love: a peaceful and dignified passing in the comfort of their home.
Pet Hospice & In-home Euthanasia Service
Our pet hospice and in-home euthanasia services provide compassionate, fear free care where you are most comfortable– In your home. We specialize in geriatric medicine, providing palliative & hospice care, acupuncture, and in-home euthanasia for pets in the Quad City area.
Would you like more information on:
Pricing
Service pricing is based on your pet's weight and your needs/wishes for after care/ cremation.
Euthanasia
When it's time to say goodbye, compassionate care in the privacy and comfort of you and your pet's home. Click below for more information & Pricing
FAQs
Common questions and important information about in-home euthanasia, resources, and more.
Why Pet Hospice
Veterinary hospice is palliative care for your pet. We can perform quality of life assessments, develop treatment plans and support you throughout the entire process.
Making an appointment
The best way to reach us is through our contact form or email in general. You can also call and text. Be sure to leave a message so we can return your call!
House calls
Helping your pet pass in the comfort of your home if a wonderful parting gift you can give to your companion.
Our Five-Step Strategy for Comprehensive Hospice and Palliative Care:
- Evaluation of the caregiver’s needs, beliefs and goals
- Education about the disease process
- development of a personalized plan for the pet and caregiver
- Application of techniques
- Emotional support during the care process
Compassionate Hospice Care
Our wish is to empower pet care givers to make important decisions for their geriatric pets and to alleviate fears while traversing the last part of the journey together. When it is time, we are honored to assist in giving them your last act of love.
Areas we serve
Rock Island - Moline - Milan - Andalusia - East Moline - Davenport - Bettendorf - Silvis
Our veterinarians may be able to travel out side of these areas to assist your family. Please contact us for more information
Extended services areas: Eldridge, Long Grove, north of I80, Walcott area, Pleasant Valley, Le Claire, Orion area, Reynolds, Colona, Rapid City, Porty Byron, Hillsdale, Geneseo
Most people have difficulty knowing if their elderly pet is in pain or if it is time for peaceful euthanasia. We support families through the last steps of this journey by providing in home pet hospice care and euthanasia services. Our wish is to empower pet care givers to make important decisions for their geriatric pets and to alleviate fears while traversing this part of the journey. When it is time, we are honored to assist in giving them your last act of love; a peaceful and dignified passing in the comfort of their home.
Veterinary hospice is not prolonging suffering, it's goal is to prevent suffering from occurring
What is Pet Hospice?
Hospice is simply a supervised medical service dedicated to providing comfort and quality of life for the pet (and the caregivers) until euthanasia is elected or natural death occurs. It focuses on managing symptoms in geriatric pets, such as pain, weakness, behavior changes, and focuses on your pet's happiness.
We understand your aging pet may have other issues besides pain, like urinary incontinence, skin & ear issues, and behavior changes. We take a holistic approach to your pet's health.
Palliative care is utilized for advanced, progressive chronic disease, life-limiting disease, and terminal illness limitations.
House Calls
We understand the challenges of providing care to geriatric pets. Getting an arthritic & anxious pet out of the home can be difficult for both of you.
To serve you and your pet better, a mobile veterinarian will come to your home to perform an exam & counsel you on geriatric pet care, end-stage disease and administer therapies to make your pet more comfortable and happy.
Many people have difficulty knowing if their elderly pet is in pain or if it is time for peaceful euthanasia. We support families through the last steps of this journey by providing pet hospice care and in home euthanasia services. Our wish is to empower pet care givers to make important decisions for their geriatric pets and to alleviate fears while traversing this part of the journey. When it is time, we are honored to assist in giving them your last act of love in the comfort of your home.
Includes: Veterinary visit, brief exam, full quality of life assessment, consultation regarding euthanasia, pre-euthanasia sedation to aid in a peaceful passing, a gentle euthanasia, ink paw print, keep-sake lock of hair, report to regular veterinarian upon request.
$225 1-80lbs; $240 81-120lbs; $280 >120 (pets over 150lbs please contact us)
We accept cash, credit, debit, and Venmo. At this time we cannot take checks, Care Credit or offer payment plans. Pre-payment is available for services for your convenience, so please let us know if you prefer this.
Most appointments take about 45- 60 minutes. We like to take the time to get to know you and your pet a little. Our veterinarians will answer any questions you may have. The euthanasia process, however, can be short in duration. We understand everyone’s needs are different. For some, especially when their friends are in severe pain or very ill, you may wish to address your pets needs more quickly. We can accommodate this as well.
One option is to arrange your own cremation services. Some facilities will pick up your pet’s remains from your home as well for an additional transportation fee ($200-$300). If you are interested in making your own arrangements, some resources are Black Hawk Pet Crematory, Quad Cities Pet Cremation, and Oakdale Pet Memorial.
We can take care of your pet’s remains if you wish. We coordinate with Black Hawk Pet Crematory and are able to transport pets up to 120 lbs. For pets over 70 lbs we need to have you provide at least 2 able-bodied people to assist with moving your pet from your home to the transportation vehicle. For pets over 120 lbs, you will need three people to assist. If this is not possible, special arrangements are required, please call 309-550-9033 or email ridervetservices@gmail.com for more details.
If you choose private cremation with Black Hawk Pet Crematory, your pet will be cremated alone to guarantee you receive your pet’s ashes. If you choose group cremation, the crematorium we use buries the ashes in an ossuary, returning your loved one to the Earth.
Receiving ashes: turnaround time for your pet’s cremation is about 1 week. The crematorium will call you and ashes can be picked up at Black Hawk Crematory.
Euthanasia & Cremation Pricing Summary
1-80lbs $225
81-100lbs $240
101-180lbs $275
Includes: Vet travel, pre-sedation to facilitate a peaceful parting, gentle euthanasia, ink paw print, lock of hair keep sake, and notification to your regular veterinarian if requested.
1-50lbs Group Cremation (no ashes saved) $395
51-100lbs Group Cremation (no ashes saved) $495
101-150lbs Group Cremation (no ashes saved) $585
Includes: Vet travel, pre-sedation to facilitate a peaceful parting, gentle euthanasia, ink paw print, lock of hair keep sake, and notification to your regular veterinarian if requested, transport to pet crematorium. Please note that no ashes are saved with this option
We accept cash, credit, debit, and Venmo. At this time we cannot take checks, Care Credit or offer payment plans. Pre-payment is available for services for your convenience, so please let us know if you prefer this.
1-50lbs Private Cremation ashes saved $545
51-100lbs Private Cremation ashes saved $598
101-150lbs Private Cremation ashes saved $710
ASHES ARE SAVED. Includes: Vet travel, pre-sedation to facilitate a peaceful parting, gentle euthanasia, ink paw print, lock of hair keep sake (please request at time of visit), and notification to your regular veterinarian if requested, 100 % private cremation and transportation to crematorium, urn for ashes, cremation certificate w/ ink print.
We accept cash, credit, debit, and Venmo. At this time we cannot take checks, Care Credit or offer payment plans. Pre-payment is available for services for your convenience, so please let us know if you prefer this.
Clay paw print by Black Hawk Crematorium add $35
Ink paw print- no charge
Hair clipping- no charge
For evening (outside normal business hours of 9:00am- 5:00pm), weekend, and holiday appointments an additional $100 fee will apply.
Extended travel: There is an additional charge for extended travel. Please contact us for specifics.
After hours 8-9pm add $200
Shipping ashes add $55
Payment: We accept cash, Venmo, credit and debit. At this time we cannot take checks, Care Credit or offer payment plans. Pre-payment is available for services for your convenience, so please let us know if you prefer this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because it is an honor to provide this last loving act with you for your friend. I personally would want to say good bye to my furry friends where they are most comfortable and happy, and that is what I want to do for you too. Although your grief is shared, it truly is humbling to be present and trusted with this final journey with your loved one.
When and where you and your family decide euthanasia is the best treatment for your pet is highly personal. If you are more comfortable in a veterinary clinic, then we recommend you go this route.
However, many people desire saying goodbye to their pets in the privacy and comfort of their home. Not only does it make the experience more personal, but people realize their pet is usually more relaxed and comfortable at home. The idea of knowing a loved one is able to pass where they are most happy: in the living room, the back yard, the bed of the truck seems to put us humans at ease.
Again, this is your family’s decision. We at Rider Veterinary Services want you to know that we support you. If you decide to say goodbye at your home, we hope you will allow us the honor of serving you and your loved one.
“Euthanasia” literally means “Good Death”. You can expect the utmost care and attention to detail when we are performing end of life services. Veterinarians are the only licensed professionals gifted with the ability to perform this act. Ending suffering for a terminally ill pet is a gift of love.
No, euthanasia does not hurt. Your furling will be fully sedated. At that point, he/she cannot feel anything, just as if they were going into surgery. Additional anesthetic is given that ceases brain activity and allows the body to painlessly release its energy.
Occasionally with anesthesia, the breathing rate can change: it can increase, decrease, or become deeper or more shallow. These are all normal and do not indicate that your pet is in distress.
The veterinarian will explain the entire process once they arrive. You and your pet will be in control of the pace of the appointment.
Select a place you would like to be with your pet. Pets really enjoy being outdoors, some in the car, others on the couch or the kitchen floor. Wherever you feel your family and pet will be most happy.
A sedative is given to your pet to assist in the ease of transition and to make sure your pet is comfortable. It can take 2-10 minutes for them to get nice and sleepy. Once you and your pet are ready, the final act of euthanasia is gifted. Passing can occur quickly, often within seconds, but may take 2-3 minutes. Your pet is unconscious and cannot feel anything. The veterinarian will then confirm your pet’s passing. After they have transitioned over the Rainbow Bridge, you can spend as much time as you wish with your friend. A paw print will then be made and hair clipped if you desire.
If you would like your other pets to be present, this is absolutely an option. It is best to keep fearful, skiddish, or rambunctious brothers and sisters in a separate room until their brother/sister has passed, then allow them the opportunity to say good-bye.
This is a very personal family decision. If it is your wish, we are happy to share this experience with all family members. For additional information and resources on this topic, please visit FAQ Children and Euthanasia. There can be hazards having young toddlers present, as there are needles, etc. Young children may also feel the vet is hurting your pet by using needles, etc. The same is true for individuals with Alzheimer’s or certain other cognitive disorders. We strongly recommend that toddlers and those with degenerative cognitive disorders be spared the confusion of losing their pet this way.
There is no right or wrong answer. Being present durring your pet’s euthanasia is a personal decision. Some people want to be there for the entire process. However, others step out of the room and return for a final visitation once the pet is gone.
You can opt to bury your pet if local ordinances allow this. If you wish to choose this option, we will discuss proper burial methods for euthanized pets.
Cremation is very popular. We can transport your pet’s remains for you for delivery at the crematorium of our choice (pls see prices above). Be assured that we will always treat your friend’s remains with respect and dignity If you prefer to deliver your pet’s remains yourself, there are several options for these services. You can also arrange for your pet’s remains to be picked up by the crematorium of your choice after the euthanasia (typical transport costs range from $200-300). The following are a list of local services:
https://qcpetcremation.com/ 563-424-7060
https://www.blackhawkpet.com/insight 309-283-7747
https://oakdale-memorial-gardens.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral 563-324-5121
You can call 309-550-9033 or email for an appointment at ridervetservices@gmail.com
48 hours notice is ideal. However, we understand that both life and death are unpredictable. A 24 hour notice may not be possible in your situation. We try to be accommodating as possible, but please note we do not offer services 24/7.
The pets in our lives are considered to be friends, family members, sources of support, and providers of unconditional love. Their loss leads to grieving similar to any other significant loss of life. Grief is a normal, natural process following the loss of a loved one, whether it be human or animal. However, it can be difficult to navigate the emotions associated with grief including the physical effects (like headache, loss
of appetite, exhaustion), emotional effects (anger, guilt, sadness) and the behavioral
effects (crying, withdrawal, change of relationships).
It is important that following the loss of a beloved pet, you allow yourself to grieve. Surround yourself with others who understand the bond you had with your
companion. Be patient with yourself. If you feel you need additional support following the loss of a companion, please use the following information to obtain supportive, non-judgmental assistance:
CARE Pet Loss Helpline through the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Resources- Iowa Helpline: 855-800-1239 or http://iowahelline.org/
Pet Ministries of St. John Vianney in Bettendorf Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/
ASPCA Pet loss hotline 877- GRIEF-10 (877-474-3310)