I have an animal : Very Sick or Dying Animal
Providing Help During A Difficult Time
Medical Care
If you are seeking medical assistance during normal business hours, head to your nearest veterinarian. If it is after hours, here is a list of emergency vet clinics:
Northgate Veterinary Clinic: (206) 363-8421
12345 15th Ave NE, Seattle
Animal Critical Care and Emergency: (206) 364-1660
11536 Lake City Way NE, Seattle
After Hours Animal Emergency Clinic: (206) 641-8414
2975 156th Ave SE, Bellevue
Emerald Clinic Emergency Clinic: (206) 634-9000
4102 Stoneway North, Seattle
End of Life Decisions
If you've been caring for a senior pet whose quality of life has been diminishing before your eyes, you have our heartfelt sympathies. Just about everyone on our staff has been in your position, so we understand that it is one of the hardest experiences to go through. Your pet has given you unconditional love and companionship for so many years, and now it is time for you to provide him with understanding and compassion.
Most veterinarians will help you to make end of life decisions, and many allow you to be in the room when it is time to say goodbye. At the Seattle Humane Society, our licensed or certified veterinary staff are able to perform compassionate euthanasia for seriously ill or suffering companion animals.
No appointment is needed, but unfortunately we do not have the resources available to allow you to be present. For directions and hours, go to our Visit Us page.
Cremation
First, let us say that we are so sorry for your loss. We offer the option of a private or non-private cremation. Private cremations are processed individually and the animal's remains are returned to the owner in an urn. This process takes approximately one week for the remains to be ready for pick-up.
Fees
Private Cremations (Ashes Returned)/Euthanasia
Weight Deceased Euthanasia + Private Cremation
0 - 4 lbs $40.00 $50.00
5 - 25 lbs $60.00 $78.00
26 - 50 lbs $84.00 $102.00
51 - 75 lbs $108.00 $132.00
76 - 100 lbs $132.00 $156.00
101 + lbs $156.00 $180.00
Non-Private Cremations/Euthanasia
Weight Deceased Euthanasia + Non-Private Cremation
0 - 4 lbs $18.00 $28.00
5 - 25 lbs $24.00 $42.00
26 - 50 lbs $30.00 $48.00
51 - 75 lbs $36.00 $60.00
76 - 100 lbs $44.00 $68.00
101 + lbs $52.00 $76.00
Pet Loss Support Group
We know how hard it is to lose a special friend. The Seattle Humane Society's weekly Pet Loss Support Group offers support and resources to help with the loss of a pet. The Pet Loss Support Group meets every Saturday at 10:0 am. No fee is required and you are free to attend as often as necessary throughout your grief process. The Pet Loss Support Group meets on the second floor of the administration building at the Seattle Humane Society
When a person you love dies, it's natural to feel sorrow, express grief and expect friends and family to provide understanding and comfort. Unfortunately, the same doesn't always hold true if the one who dies was your companion animal. Many consider grieving inappropriate for someone who has lost "just a pet".
We recognize that nothing could be further from the truth. Because the death of your animal friend can be one of the most difficult experiences you face, we established our Pet Loss Support Group with trained facilitators in 1994. Our Pet Loss Group offers a place for you to work through the grief process in a non-judgmental environment with others who have suffered a similar loss.
Our Pet Loss Support Group frequently deals with the following concerns and situations:
Euthanasia
No matter how carefully the decision to euthanize a pet is made, pet owners typically spend a great amount of time wondering if they have done the right thing. Our Support Group can help you achieve closure to this concern.
Lost and Stolen Pets
Not knowing what happened to a pet, pet owners agonize at length over missing pets. The combination of guilt and fear can sometimes be too much to handle alone and our Support Group can help you cope with the experience of losing a pet in this way.
Other Pets
Surviving pets may whimper, refuse to eat or drink, and suffer lethargy - especially if they had a close bond with the deceased pet. The changing circumstances and your emotional state may also distress them. We can help you find ways to assist the grief process of your surviving pets.
Children
The loss of a pet may be a child's first experience with death. The child may blame himself, his parents or the veterinarian for not saving the pet. And he may feel guilty, depressed and frightened that others he loves may be taken from him. Trying to protect your child by saying the pet ran away could cause your child to expect the pet's return and feel betrayed after discovering the truth. Expressing your own grief may reassure your child that sadness is okay and help him work through his feelings.
Seniors
Coping with the loss of a pet can be particularly hard for seniors. Those who live alone may feel a loss of purpose and an immense emptiness. The pet's death may also trigger painful memories of other losses and remind people of their own mortality. The decision to get another pet is complicated by the possibility that the pet may outlive its owner, and hinges on the person's physical and financial ability to care for a new pet. It's critical that senior pet owners take immediate steps to cope with their loss and regain a sense of purpose.
Future Pets
Rushing into this decision isn't fair to you or a new pet. The Support Group can help you know when the time is right to adopt a new pet by making sure you have given yourself time to grieve and paying close attention to your feelings.