Saying goodbye to a beloved companion is one of the most difficult experiences a pet owner faces. At PoCo West Animal Hospital in Port Coquitlam, our end-of-life care team provides compassionate, dignified support for families navigating this journey. We prioritize your pet’s comfort and your family’s peace of mind at every step. Our in-clinic and in-home options allow families to choose the setting that feels most right for their companion and their family. We are here to answer your questions, honor your pet, and support you with care and kindness.
Our clinic provides a calm, private space for families choosing in-clinic end-of-life care in Port Coquitlam. We move at your pace. There is no rushing. Our team ensures your pet is peaceful, comfortable, and surrounded by the people they love. Family members are welcome to be present throughout. We provide clear guidance on what to expect beforehand so that you can focus entirely on being with your companion. Our goal is for this time to be as gentle and meaningful as possible for your pet and for you.
For families who prefer to say goodbye at home, our in-home end-of-life care service brings compassionate support to your pet in their familiar surroundings. Your pet can rest on their favorite spot, on the couch, or in a place that is meaningful to them and to your family. Being in familiar surroundings helps many pets feel calm, and many families find that being at home provides a measure of comfort and privacy during this time. Our team comes to you with everything needed to ensure your companion is peaceful and at ease.
Communal cremation is a respectful aftercare option for families who wish to honor their pet without retaining individual ashes. Your companion is cremated alongside other pets, and the ashes are handled respectfully and collectively. This option is chosen by many families as a meaningful and dignified farewell. We coordinate all aspects of the arrangement on your behalf so that you can focus on grieving and healing.
Private cremation ensures that your pet is cremated individually and that their ashes are returned to you. Many families choose to keep their companion's ashes at home, in a memorial garden, or in a location that holds special meaning. We arrange private cremation through our aftercare partner and ensure that your companion is handled with the care and respect they deserve throughout the process. Ashes are typically returned within 1 to 2 weeks.
We offer a selection of memorial products to help families honor and remember their companion. Options include urns, keepsake items, and paw print mementos. These items are available to discuss at the time of your appointment or in the days following your pet's passing. There is no pressure and no timeline. We understand that grief unfolds differently for every family, and we are here to support you at whatever pace feels right.
Losing a pet is a significant loss, and grief after the death of a companion animal is real. Our team is available to speak with you after your pet has passed. We can provide information about pet loss support resources and answer any questions you have about the aftercare process. If you have other pets at home, we can also discuss how animals grieve and what behavioral changes to watch for in the weeks following a loss.
Quality of life assessments can help guide this decision. Signs that often prompt families to begin the conversation include inability to eat, persistent pain that is not responding to management, loss of mobility, incontinence, or consistent confusion and disorientation. We are here to have this conversation with you at any time, without judgment and without pressure. There is no right or wrong feeling, only what is right for your pet and your family.
Yes. Family members are welcome, and we encourage it. We provide a private room with no time pressure, and we will walk you through what to expect so there are no surprises. Children are welcome if the family feels it is appropriate. We support however many people you need to have present.
In communal cremation, your pet is cremated together with other animals and the ashes are not returned. In private cremation, your pet is cremated alone and their ashes are returned to you. Both are handled respectfully. The choice is entirely personal and based on what feels right for your family.
When the time comes, PoCo West Animal Hospital in Port Coquitlam is here to support you and your family. Call us at (604) 554-1255 to speak with our team, ask questions, or discuss your options. We are here whenever you are ready.
