Euthanasia & Cremation Services

Saying goodbye to a long-time friend is painful.

We work with clients to ensure their pet's comfort and dignity. 

Euthanasia and Cremation Services at Charlotte Street Animal Hospital

The doctors and staff at Charlotte Street Animal Hospital are pet owners too. We each deeply love and respect animals and honor the special bond between humans and their furry family members. Our passion is to provide the best veterinary care for your pet and to keep them happy and healthy for many years. We understand that the end of life process can be very difficult, and want to work with you to ensure your pet’s comfort and quality of life for as long as possible. If at any time you contemplate euthanasia, feel confident that we do provide the service to ease this transition for your family. 

Deciding When It Is Time

Deciding when the time is right for humane euthanasia involves considering a multitude of factors. Your veterinarian can help make the process less confusing. Some people seek guidance from animal communicators in determining whether it is time to let go. We recommend referencing a Quality of Life Scale to help inform your decision. Though determining quality of life is not an exact science, we find The Quality of Life Scale developed by Dr. A.E. Villalobos to be very helpful in assessing your pet's level of comfort and happiness.

Another resource that you may find helpful is the Veterinary Wisdom for Pet Parents website.

Aftercare Options

• Communal Cremation:  Your pet will be cremated and then buried at the pet memorial site garden. Your pet's ashes will not be returned to you.
• Individual Cremation:  Your pet will be cremated individually and the ashes will be returned to you. The ashes should be returned to the animal hospital within a week; you will receive a phone call from our hospital informing you when the urn arrives. At your convenience—and you can take as much time as you need—please come during our office hours to pick up your pet's ashes. 
• Home Burial:  We will gently and respectfully place your pet into a biodegradable casket should you prefer the aftercare option of home burial. We primarily work with  Forever Faithful Pet Memorial Gardens and Cremation Center  located here in Asheville. 

In addition to the aftercare you choose for your pet, we always offer to include a lock of fur and ink paw print. You also have the option of purchasing a clay paw imprint that we prepare and finish for you.

If you prefer, a doctor can often time perform euthanasia service for your dog outside by the grass surrounding our water fountain feature. This will depend on the patient's constitution and daylight permitting.

Home euthanasia  is also a service that we can provide if the doctors' schedule allows time for travel. We understand that it may not always be possible to schedule this type of service in advance. If needed, another available source here in Asheville is Four Paws Farewell for mobile home euthanasia and hospice care.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to give us a call.

Grieving and Pet Loss Information

Pet Loss Support Group: You and your feelings of grief and loss matter. If you are feeling overwhelmed with grief, we encourage you to join others who share similar feelings at the Pet Loss Support Group. 

The Pet Loss Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 5:30pm - 6:30 pm at the Four Seasons Buncombe County Office, at 373 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801.

Anyone who has lost a pet and is grieving and needs further support is welcome and there is no cost involved.

"Paws on the Heart" Pet Loss & Grief Support Group: Coping with a serious illness or death of a pet can be a devastating experience to individuals sharing their lives with animals.  Losing a pet from divorce or other situations can be equally devastating and stressful. It’s also an emotional time for individuals working with animals on a daily basis.

It is never easy to say goodbye, whether it be a family grieving the loss of a beloved pet at the age of fifteen or a veterinarian and staff ending the suffering of a patient and consoling their clients. The human-animal bond runs deep and being able to express one’s feelings and emotions when experiencing a loss is both helpful and healing.

Paw On the Heart meets the 2nd Sunday of each month from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm at the American Red Cross, at 100 Edgewood Road – Asheville, NC 28804. (Corner of Merrimon & Edgewood – behind the Atlanta Bread Company)

Facilitating the support group are two avid animal lovers who strongly believe in the importance of honoring the pets in our lives: Rev. Gerry Smith, chaplain at Mission Hospital for 31 years and Rev. Dan McCurry, retired hospital trauma chaplain interested in music therapies and animal behavior.

There is no cost to attend, but donations to help Animal Compassion Network’s rescued dogs and cats are appreciated. Reservations are encouraged but not required.

For more information please contact, Cappy Tosetti, volunteer program coordinator: (828) 707-7203. Email.