Saying Goodbye to a Beloved Pet

When the time comes, we understand how hard it is to say goodbye to your pet because we are pet owners too. We are committed to supporting you, your pet, and your family by providing individual care and helping you navigate the process of euthanasia.

Sometimes you can plan ahead for end of life care, but sadly this is not always possible with emergencies. Our aim is to make the process as calm and comfortable as possible, for all people and pets.

The euthanasia appointment

If you would like to stay with your pet while we administer some calming medication and place an intravenous cannula, you’re welcome. If you’d rather we completed this in our treatment room, we can do that too. Our staff will be giving cuddles the whole way through.

In most instances there is no rush for euthanasia. You can sit on the sofa in one of our consult rooms as long as you need, along with family members who want to be present. Sometimes things move more quickly if the patient is very unwell, but please never feel you need to hurry on our account.

The euthanasia itself is painless, and usually quite quick. It most often takes between 30 seconds and a few minutes to administer the medication through the IV cannula, and it doesn’t hurt.

If you don’t want to be present, just say so. This is your choice and we will reassure and care for your pet no matter what.

Afterwards, you are welcome to spend some time with your pet. We understand this is a personal choice, and there is no pressure to stay if you are ready to leave.

A peaceful goodbye

Aftercare options for your pet

When your pet has passed away, we understand that making decisions can be overwhelming. Our staff will talk you through the options and help you choose what feels rights for you.

Here are some of the options for aftercare:
° Taking them home to bury
° Cremation with Possum Ridge
° Communal burial
° Donating remains.

If you’re unsure what to do immediately, we offer compassionate care and can look after your pet for up to a week so you can take the time you need to make a decision.

Losing a pet is a profound loss. We encourage all of our clients to look after themselves and their families. While we are not affiliated with the services below, and we do not receive any sort of reimbursement from them, we offer referral to these services to help you manage your grief during a very difficult time.

What happens next

Pet cremations & memorials

At Emergency Vets 24/7 we can offer pet cremation and memorial options thanks to a local business, Possum Ridge Pet Cremations. They provide beloved pets and their families with individual pet and memorial options at their dedicated facility in Mount Sheridan.

Families are able to choose whether they want their pet’s ashes returned in a standard ash container arranged by Emergency Vets, or in one of a large range of memorial Pet Urns.

If you do not wish to have your pet’s ashes returned, there is always the option to have them scattered in the Possum Ridge Pet Memorial Garden.

Possum Ridge is available 7 days a week by phone on 07 4036 0999 or 0434 206 433 to arrange extras like paw prints and memorial urns. They can also collect your pet directly from Emergency Vets. Alternatively, you are welcome to deliver your beloved pet on their last journey to Possum Ridge, where you will be warmly received.

For more information, visit https://www.possumridge.com.au/

Pet ashes & keepsakes

Kindred Counselling

After the loss of a pet, you might find it helpful to talk to a professional.

We are proud to refer our clients to Douglas Nicols, a practicing psychotherapist and counsellor since 2013. In 2021, he focused on specialised support for those grieving or anticipating the loss of their companion animals.

The loss of a loving bond is inevitably painful, and this is no different with our companion animals. Doug works with each individual on their own story of loss, but also with the memory and story of a unique animal companion. For many of us, a pet is a best friend, a companion, a family member, a trusted confidant, a source of love, joy, stability, and a supportive and caring figure in our lives.

Doug offers a confidential, professional and compassionate service either in person, or via weblink.

Douglas Nichols
Clinical Counsellor/Psychotherapist-PACFA 23772 BA SocSc, GradDip Couns & PsychTh, AdvDip Logotherapy, Cert Pet Loss Grief Specialist Training

Phone: 0493 259 016
Web: www.kcapservices.com

Douglas Nichols, Kindred Counselling & Psychotherapy

I had to take my cat Merlin in at 3am on a Sunday, as we discovered paralysis ticks on him, and he was showing difficulty walking and breathing. They were so informative on the phone and told us exactly what we needed to do, before we brought him down. When we got there the staff were all so lovely and handled Merlin with so much care. They explained everything to me about his treatment process and I was aware of the fees and payment plan from the start. An hour after I got home, I got the sweetest text from them letting me know he'd had the serum and was resting comfortably. I was kept updated about his condition the entire time and was told I could call them any time day or night if I needed to, which helped ease my worries. I was able to bring him home Monday afternoon and he is completely back to normal and happier than ever (even with his cute shave haha). I saw a few different nurses, and I cannot thank you all enough! Absolute best team, service and animal care!

Cassandra Daniel

Amazing care and skill shown in a recent emergency when our dog was run over. Nothing was too much trouble, and his medical care was 10/10 all through the night. Very impressed with both the staff, and the extent of the equipment available, from ventilators, 24-hour onsite blood testing, X-ray, 24-hour staff onsite monitoring and the pens for each animal in the high care section all having their own piped oxygen all the time! Even includes a motion activated camera for seizures, and an isolation room. This place gets an excellent recommendation from me!

Amanda Roberts

I am so grateful to this exceptional team of humans. Late at night on New Year’s Day, my 8-year-old Ridgeback Bodey, bloated up and was in pain. I called the clinic and they suggested I bring him in straight away. Upon arrival they took immediate action giving him IV painkillers and an X-ray. Unfortunately, my Bodey was suffering badly and the surgery to save him was risky and too expensive. I faced a hard decision which needed to be actioned without delay, and so I said goodbye to my best friend that night. Through one of the hardest experiences of my life, I found all the staff I dealt with, from the phone call with Frances and Chelsea, to the visit with Richard and Becky, to be genuine, professional and supportive. I’m so incredibly grateful to your team for being there to assist Bodey’s transition to heaven in a peaceful and painless way. I appreciated your ‘no B.S.’ approach to the situation and your kindness and support.

Raych Apples

All the staff at Emergency Vets 24/7 particularly Dr Richard who spent many hours performing lifesaving surgery on my cat Ollie. From the time of my phone call to the service to our arrival Ollie and I received caring professional treatment from all the staff including Dr Richard, Dr Mehai, Dr Kati, nurse Becky, Andrew, Livvy and Natalie. (Sincere apologies if I have forgotten someone). No one was ever too busy to talk to me or give me their time to discuss Ollies treatment and progress or allow me to visit when I came to Cairns (I live in Mossman) during the 10 days they lovingly nursed Ollie back to good health that made it possible to bring him back home. I would highly recommend this practice to anyone seeking a loving, personalised professional and skilled team to care for their fur babies.

Jody Marsh

I’ve visited the emergency 24/7 vets twice now, first time my little chihuahua had a dog fight with her sister. We were very lucky to have Dr Nikki to look after Lucky and give her the care she deserved. Nikki put me at ease and was happy to go the extra mile and look at Lucky’s eyes as well. Yesterday I was concerned about my puppy who was limping, I called and Nurse Livvy who was so beautiful to talk to and reassured me to come in to have Archie looked over. We then had Dr Marion look over Archie and admit him into hospital. I felt very comfortable with Dr Marion and she helped me understand what Archie was going through. This morning I’ve picked Archie up and he is in better spirits but still limping. I have called around 100 times today and every time they reassure me and put me at ease. I am really appreciative of how caring the nurses and Drs are and how understanding they are. Thank you everyone who works there! You are all amazing!

Alinta Dicello

If I could give you 10 stars out of 5 I would. You guys were ABSOLUTELY amazing in the worst time of our life. Our beautiful Arelie was more than a dog to us, she was our family, she was our everything. It’s been over 2 weeks now and we are still broken. This was our first time visiting your clinic and I can't fault you guys in any way. The communication and 100% care you gave our girl in her last hours meant so much to us. We were hoping she could be saved but unfortunately not. I know you done everything you could for her and we can't thank you enough. Also, thank you for the lovely card and helping us organise her cremation. You were there for us and Arelie when we needed it most. I only wished there were more caring vets/nurses around like you guys. Best wishes to you all.

Emma Braun

Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to our much-loved fur baby the other day. I cannot thank our vet Jo enough. It was the first time we have had to go through this experience, which was scary and heart breaking. Jo explained every single detail of the process so we could understand what was going to happen. She was so caring and loving towards our family and made the experience less traumatizing. Our beautiful pup left us relaxed and peaceful. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making a terrible situation a little bit more bearable.

Charlotte Stanley

The crew at Emergency Vets 24/7 are fantastic. They were so calm, kind and helpful when I needed urgent advice late last night. Words can not truly express how grateful I am to know that I can call without hesitation and receive their advice and veterinary care no matter what time of the day or night. Thank you so very much for being there for us!

Vanessa Lobegeier

The service I and my pooch received was second to none, polite, understanding and totally professional, I would thoroughly recommend them to anyone, please keep in mind this is emergency service and they have to treat the urgent cases first, so if you are bumped down the line don't think they don't care it's pretty much the same as our ER at the hospital and they have priorities.

Peter Jappe

Had an emergency with our beloved Maxi cat. The staff were fantastic so caring. Just the best. Thanks to all.

Barry Cantelo

All the staff are so caring and compassionate and were so kind to our family in our grief when we rushed our very sick Tobi dog in and he passed away soon after. We are so grateful for the assistance we received in our darkest hour.

Jacquelene Pennells

© Emergency Vets 24/7 2025

Website created by RJ New Designs