Frequently Asked Questions

One of the hardest parts of being a pet owner is being able to determine if your pet’s quality of life has deteriorated to the point where you need to consider a compassionate farewell. The following guide was created by Veterinary Practice News to help guide you: CLICK HERE 

A few hours before your appointment, (scheduled with the receptionists at 808-572-9003), you can expect a call from the doctor who will be coming to your home. We want to do our part to support you, so please feel free to bring up concerns or questions at this time. Our veterinarians are often on the road caring for animals, large and small, all over the island. To account for the uncertainties of mobile work, the receptionists will find a time block on a day you request. When the veterinarian calls prior to the visit they can provide a more accurate time of arrival and keep you updated on any changes. Our main goal is to make sure we are all on the same page going forward.   

The euthanasia process is designed to be quick and peaceful.  Our euthanasias are done in two steps.  We take an extra step in making your pet comfortable by providing a relaxing sedation first.  After your pet is sedated, they won't feel anything.  Through an intravenous solution we provide the first dose of sedation and then a second, fast-acting sedative, is injected into the pet's front or back leg.  The solution slows the heart to a stop.  Sometimes these medications take effect immediately and sometimes it takes a few minutes. We won’t proceed until both you and your pet are ready.  Involuntary muscle contractions, moving, or gasping may occur, but these are after death.  They also may lose control of their bladder or bowels.  After the injections, the doctor will tell you when your pet has passed. 

There is no need to be shy about expression your needs or emotions during this process.  You may stay with your pet to say goodbye, and not matter how prepared you may be, pain and sadness is an understandable part of the grieving process.

Of course!  We suggest you wrap them in a towel in case they lose control of their bladder, but our goal is for you and your pet to be as comfortable as possible. 

Makawao Vet Clinic runs an environmentally friendly crematorium to provide you with a seamless experience in the middle of a tough time. You can choose to get your pet’s ashes returned to you in an urn or for the ashes to fertilize a grove of native Hawaiian trees in Upcountry, Maui. We respectfully transport your pet’s body to the clinic at no charge. 

We provide an eco-friendly bag after in-home euthanasias to safely and respectfully transport your pet. If you would prefer, you are welcome to send your pet wrapped in a favorite towel or blanket. We cannot cremate these with your pet, so these may be donated to the care of animals at the clinic or staying in the kennel. 

If you have chosen to get your pet’s ashes back with a private cremation, you will receive a call from us when they are ready for pickup within a week. Ashes are picked up at the Boarding and Grooming Building (south of the main parking lot).  Pets are returned in one of our "Rainbow Bridge" tin urns, but we have a variety of wooden urns available to purchase, including locally made native wood urns.

You are also welcome to take care of your pet’s body yourself with a home burial. Please let the receptionist know if that is your preference at the time of scheduling. 

The basic steps for cremation are the pet's remains are incinerated in an environmentally conscious green oven using high heat (1400-1800 degrees Farenheit).  The amount of time it takes generally depends on the size of the animal, but 2-4 hours is the average.

We inspect the remains for metal objects and any that are discovered are removed.  Large pieces of bone that did not incinerate are pulverized to dust that resembles ashes.  All cremains are then placed into a plastic bag and then into a container of your choice and returned to you. 

An expedited cremation is meant for owners who would like their pet's ashes back within 48 hours.  This is for situations where the pet's owners may be leaving the island or have a need for quicker services.  These cremations are private cremations.

A private cremation uses partitions to insure you get your pets ashes, and their ashes only.  With a private cremation, your pet will be placed in a complimentary paw print tin, or an urn of your choosing. 

A communal cremation is an environmentally conscious and less-expensive option for pet cremation.  Several pets are cremated together and the ashes are scattered among trees in a native forest restoration project in Keokea overlooking the ocean.  Owners do not receive their pets ashes back.