End-of-Life Care

A gentle goodbye, at home.

In-home euthanasia and palliative care — with time, space, and someone who has done this before. We help you understand what's happening so you can be present when it matters most.

Not sure yet

Quality of life visit

An honest assessment of where your pet is. No pressure to decide anything.

When you're ready

In-home euthanasia

Gentle, unhurried, at home. Time to say goodbye without a clinic setting.

Recognising the signs

When it may be more than just ageing.

Many changes in a pet's final stage are gradual and easy to dismiss. If several of these feel familiar, it's a good time to talk.

  • Getting up or moving has become noticeably harder
  • Significantly reduced appetite or stopped eating entirely
  • Losing weight despite eating normally
  • Laboured breathing or breathing harder than usual
  • Obvious pain, wincing, or crying out when touched or moving
  • Disorientation, confusion, or not recognising familiar people
  • Incontinence — unable to control bladder or bowel
  • No longer interested in things they used to enjoy
  • Withdrawing from people or other animals in the home
  • A look in their eyes — something you know isn't right
"You don't have to be certain. You just have to be willing to ask."

If you're unsure whether what you're seeing is serious, a phone consultation is a low-pressure place to start. We'll talk through what you're observing and help you decide whether a visit makes sense — without any obligation to proceed.

Schedule a call →

What to expect

There's no right way. We follow your lead.

We don't push you toward a decision. We give you information and time to make the one that's right for you and your pet — with complete support either way.

1

Start with a conversation

A phone call. We talk through what you're seeing, answer your questions, and help you understand what your options are. No commitment required.

Schedule a call →
2

Quality of life visit, if helpful

An unhurried in-home evaluation. We look at pain levels, mobility, appetite, and overall quality of life — and talk through what we find, honestly.

3

When the time is right

In-home euthanasia, on your timeline. We create the space for a goodbye that happens at home, in the quiet, with the people who love your pet.

During the quality of life visit

What happens during a quality of life visit

1

It starts with what you've been seeing

Your observations matter. We begin with your concerns and what's changed at home.

2

Your pet's comfort and condition are assessed

Mobility, breathing, awareness, appetite, and overall quality of life — evaluated gently and without rushing.

3

We talk through what's going on

What may be causing the changes, what to expect from here, and what your options are — honestly.

4

Next steps are explored together

Continued support, natural progression, or euthanasia — each explained clearly, without pressure.

5

You'll leave with clarity

You'll understand where things stand, what to expect, and how to move forward — with calm and confidence rather than uncertainty.

After the visit

The support doesn't stop there.

We stay in touch after the visit. You shouldn't have to figure this out alone.

🕯️

Aquamation & cremation

We partner with a small, family-owned local provider to offer aquamation — a water-based process that typically returns more remains than traditional cremation. Individual and communal aquamation both available.

🖼️

Keepsakes

A cedar urn and bamboo paw print are provided by the aftercare partner as standard. A framed ink nose print is also available as an optional keepsake — just let us know in advance.

💙

Grief support

Losing a pet is a real loss. We can refer you to pet bereavement resources, counselors, and support groups in the Ventura and Ojai area.

🏡

Donations

We can help arrange the donation of your pet's belongings — beds, blankets, unopened food — to a local shelter, rescue, or family in need.

Pricing

Start with a conversation.

No surprises. Costs are shared before anything is confirmed.

Phone consultation

No charge

A 20–30 minute call to understand what you're seeing and explore your options.

What it covers

  • Direct conversation with a vet
  • Honest assessment of your situation
  • No obligation
Schedule a call →

Quality of life visit

$295

In-home assessment of your pet's condition, pain, mobility, and overall wellbeing.

Includes

  • Veterinarian travel and time
  • Review of medical history and current condition
  • Discussion of comfort, prognosis, and next steps
  • No obligation to proceed

Optional aftercare & keepsakes

Individual aquamation

$350

Remains returned in urn of your choice

Communal aquamation

$85

Shared service, no remains returned

Clay paw print

Included

Prepared during the visit

Framed ink nose print

$200

Prepared during the visit

We're here when you need us.

Start with a conversation. There's no commitment and no wrong questions.

Schedule a call → About Aluna

Common questions

Things families often ask.

Before you decide

There's no single answer, and that uncertainty is normal. We look at quality-of-life markers — whether your pet can eat, move, rest comfortably, and engage with their surroundings. The phone consultation is specifically for this.

That's exactly what the quality-of-life visit is for. It's an honest, in-home assessment with no pressure to make any decisions.

Yes. There's no point in this process where you're committed to a decision. Even on the day of a scheduled euthanasia appointment — if you or your pet needs more time, we follow your lead.

On the day

Dr. Teresa Schumacher handles all end-of-life visits personally. You'll speak with her before she arrives — so you've already met, and she already knows what matters to your family.

Yes. The visit is at your home, on your terms. Children, other pets, anyone who matters — they can all be there. We follow whatever feels right for you.

There's no fixed time limit. We don't rush. Most visits take 60–90 minutes, but if your family needs more time before, during, or after — that's what we're there for.