DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer
Taffet@DallasVoice.com
When my Siamese cat Zsazsa died, she went peacefully at home, curled up in bed with her dog at her side. (Yes, she had a dog that followed her everywhere.)
When she took her last breath, the dog howled and then watched as I buried our cat in the backyard.
That Zsazsa died at home was so much more comforting than when Koshka, my ornery Maine Coon, passed away. At 17, Koshka had stopped eating and could hardly walk. So, I wrapped her in a blanket, drove her to my vet, kissed her goodbye and handed her to the doctor. She died alone.
Zsazsa passing away at home was a much easier experience for me, for the cat and for her dog.
Now there’s a new service that provides peaceful, in-home euthanasia for pets in 90 cities across the country through a network of licensed and compassionate veterinarians called CodaPet, and it’s currently available in Fort Worth and surrounding areas.
For pet owners, that last trip to the vet can be traumatic. For the pet, it can be painful. Providing end-of-life care at home where they feel most comfortable may be the most loving way to care for an animal.
“As an in-home euthanasia veterinarian, I repeatedly hear the heartfelt gratitude and the relief a family feels when they have been able to grant their pet this gift.” said Dr. Bethany Hisa, a co-founder of CodaPet.
Dr. Jason Doolittle and Dr. Kirsten Stukey provide that care in Fort Worth and surrounding cities. “I want to give people the opportunity to spend their final moments with their pets in peace and comfort, surrounded by those that love them,” Dr. Doolittle said.
HOW IT WORKS
You start by booking an appointment through the website CodaPet.com/cities/fort-worth-tx.
The vet will contact you before the appointment to address any concerns and answer any questions.
The vet will review the pet’s diagnosis and apply a quality-of-life assessment.
On average, the visit takes one hour. That includes the euthanasia procedure which takes about about 15 minutes.
CodaPet can then assist with cremation services.
BENEFITS
Compassion: Pets can be surrounded by their loved ones and pass away peacefully in a familiar environment.
Comfort: Familiar surroundings reduce anxiety and stress for the pet.
Control: Pet owners have more control over the experience including who will be present, location, music, lighting and anything else that might be important to you and your pet.
Closure: Saying goodbye to your pet in a meaningful way with an intimate farewell can provide closure and help ease the grieving process.
COSTS
The starting price of in-home euthanasia is $350 in Fort Worth. Prices vary by location and are available on the website.
Cremation begins at $75 and varies by location and pet’s size.