In-Home Pet Euthanasia
Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, pocket pets
Dr. Kitt has seven years of experience providing in-home euthanasia for thousands of pets in the Madison area and is honored to now offer this compassionate service through Wingspan.
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To help make in-home euthanasia accessible and affordable, Dr. Kitt provides a straightforward service that focuses on peaceful comfort for pets and their families. This approach may not meet every client’s needs or preferences, so please review the information below to ensure it’s the right fit for you.
Wingspan is the right choice if:
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You have made the decision that euthanasia is the most compassionate option for your pet.
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You simply need a caring veterinarian to come to your home and provide a gentle, peaceful transition and provide aftercare if needed.
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Your pet is not aggressive
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Your pet (dog/cat) hasn't bitten anyone in the last 10 days
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Your dog is no more than 110 pounds
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You want to support a local, privately owned business
What to Expect
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When Dr. Kitt arrives, she will first handle paperwork and payment.
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Once you and your pet are ready, she will administer the first injection containing pain relief, sedatives, and an anesthetic agent—typically under the skin. This allows your pet to fall into a deep, comfortable sleep.
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Every animal responds differently; some drift off within 2–10 minutes, while others take longer depending on their personality and condition. If needed, Dr. Kitt may give an additional dose to ensure complete comfort.
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When your pet is fully asleep and unaware, she will then administer the final injection, usually into a vein, allowing your pet to pass peacefully and without sensation.
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Following confirmation of your pet's passing, Dr. Kitt will gently help you wrap your pet in a blanket or sheet if you plan to keep them at home. For cremation, she will wrap smaller pets in a blanket, and either you or she can carry them to her car. Large pets will be respectfully transported using a stretcher.
Aftercare
Dr. Kitt is committed to supporting privately owned businesses and partners with Camelot Cremation Services, a company run by two sisters. Every service provided through Camelot Cremation also helps support the animals at Whistler’s Run & Rescue.
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Private cremation includes:
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Choice of urn (cherry, whitewashed oak, bamboo, or satin pouch)
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Ink and/or clay paw print
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Shipping charges
Group cremation (ashes not returned; respectfully spread at a memorial field in De Pere, WI) includes:
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Ink and/or clay paw print
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Shipping of memorial items to your home
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​For owners wishing to keep their pet at home, Dr. Kitt can provide an ink nose or paw print at no additional cost.
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For special memorials or custom urns, you may contact Camelot Cremation Services directly or explore local artists and online options such as Etsy.
Cost
Providing affordable, in-home euthanasia is important to Dr. Kitt and part of how she keep costs lower for families is by managing scheduling and communication herself. Because of this, she's not able to offer extended phone consultations or detailed guidance around quality-of-life or decision-making.
Dr. Kitt understands how difficult and personal this choice is. She encourage families to discuss their pet’s condition and options with their primary veterinarian, who knows their medical history and can help guide that process. Her role is to provide a peaceful, compassionate experience in the home once that decision has been made.
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Trip Charge measured from Paoli, WI
0-10 Miles: $60
11-20: $70
21-30: $80
31-40: $90
41+: Contact for availability and pricing
Payment is due at time of service
Accepted payment types: Venmo, Zelle, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, cash, check
Preparing for the appointment
​For safety and comfort:
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Provide the correct weight as drug dosages are calculated based on weight. Undercutting the pet’s weight will result in poor sedation and more injections than necessary.
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Dr. Kitt must be able to safely give your pet an injection. She cannot assist with aggressive animals; other in-home euthanasia veterinarians in the area are better suited for those situations.
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If sedation will help your pet feel calmer, please arrange medications and dosage instructions ahead of time with your regular veterinarian.
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Your pet must have no bite history within the past 10 days.
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Your pet must have a regular veterinarian.
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All family members must agree that euthanasia is the best choice for their pet.
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Dr. Kitt reserves the right to leave if she feels the environment is unsafe or if family members are in disagreement over the decision to euthanize.
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Please respect Dr. Kitt’s time by being ready when she arrives:
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Complete any final moments of connection—such as walks, favorite treats, family photos, or private goodbyes—before her arrival.
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Everyone who wishes to be present should be there when Dr. Kitt enters your home.​
J-O-U-R-N-E-Y-S
Quality of life Scale
©Katie Willett, DVM. Used with Katie's permission and blessing
JOURNEYS:
J: Jumping or Mobility
O: Ouch or Pain
U: Uncertainty and Understanding (factors that affect YOU)
R: Respiration or Breathing
E: Eating and Drinking
Y: You
S: Social Ability
For each variable there is an assigned value of 10 points with an example for scores of 1, 5 and 10 as guidance.
Use your judgment to decide how your pet scores. Example: E - Eating and Drinking, if your pet "only eats
treats" you may assign a value of 2 or 3- higher than 1 which is not eating at all, but less than 5 which is eating
slightly less of their regular food than is normal for them.
J: Jumping or Mobility
1 pt: Your pet cannot walk or stand without assistance.
5pt: Your pet can move around as long as he/she has their pain medication. They can do about half the
activities they did when they were healthier, or can get about half the distance on a walk, or spend half
the time doing their activities (chasing a Frisbee, swimming, hunting) as they used to.
10pt: Your pet is fully active and enjoying all their activities.
O: Ouch or Pain
U: Uncertainty and Understanding
1pt: Your pet seems painful (whining, crying, not willing to move) even while taking pain medication.
Note: many animals will hide pain or weakness as a survival trait.
5pt: Your pet is on pain medications and they are helping at least 75% of the time.
10pt: Your pet is pain free.
1pt: Your pet has a diagnosis (medical condition) that cannot be predicted. You may not understand the
diagnosis, or the problem may be prone to sudden, catastrophic events.
5pt: Your pet has a medical condition that can change over time, is currently stable, and you are able to
monitor it (with the help of your veterinarian) and make adjustments when necessary. You understand
what to watch for, the treatment plan, and when your pet needs medical attention.
10pt: Your pet is happy and healthy; there are no medical issues beyond routine preventative care.
R: Respiration or Breathing
1pt: Your pet has severe episodes of difficulty breathing, coughing or open mouth breathing. They are
not eating or drinking in an effort to breathe. At this point you should seek immediate medical attention
for your pet.
5pt: Your pet has occasional bouts of coughing, wheezing, or exercise intolerance. They are short (less
than 2 minutes) and they are on medication from your veterinarian that can be adjusted to help.
10pt: Your pet has no coughing, wheezing, or exercise intolerance.
N: Neatness or Hygiene
1pt: Your pet spends time laying in their urine and/or feces. They may be unable to control their
elimination, or be unable to move after elimination. Your pet may have an external tumor or mass that is
bleeding, foul smelling, and infected, and you are unable to keep it clean and/or bandaged. Your pet may
have pressure sores (bed sores) from lying down and being unable to move.
5pt: Your pet may need assistance to urinate/defecate but they do not spend time lying in their waste.
They are able to hold their urine/feces until they get assistance. They may have an external tumor or
mass, but it can be kept clean and/or bandaged and it is not infected. They groom themselves, but may
need assistance in some areas (example-rear end).
10pt: Your pet can urinate, defecate, and groom themselves without assistance. They have no medical
issues that are causing them to have a bad odor. You can provide any care issues to address their hygiene
(baths, trip to the groomer, anal gland expression, teeth cleaning, etc.)
E: Eating and Drinking
1pt: Your pet is refusing food and water. They may be vomiting or having diarrhea (or both). They may
be nauseous. Cats may “hang out” at the water bowl, next to it, or with their heads hanging over it.
5pt: Your pet is eating more slowly, and is not as interested in food as they used to be. They may go
back several times before they finish a meal. They are eating slightly less than usual, but are eating their
regular food.
10pt: Your pet is eating and drinking normally.
Y: You
1pt: You are constantly worried about your pet. You may not understand what is happening to them.
You feel overwhelmed and stressed trying to provide for their needs. You may feel you are unable to
provide for their needs physically, emotionally, or financially. You may be worried about how they will
fare when you are away on an upcoming trip. There may be tension in the family and disagreement on
how to proceed.
5pt: You understand your pet’s condition, and are able, with some effort, to meet their needs. You may
have concerns, but they are manageable.
10pt: You are easily able to meet your pet’s needs, and not worried about any aspect of their care.
S: Social Ability
1pt: Your pet does not spend time with the family. They may hide, become irritable or snippy if
bothered. Some pets that do not enjoy being petted may not seem to care if they are petted. Perhaps your
pet is unable physically to get to the room where they usually spend time with others.
5pt: Your pet spends at least half the time with the family. They are not irritable or snippy. They happily
greet you when you come home.
10pt: Your pet enjoys you, the family, and others (including other animals they may know), greets you
at the door when you arrive home, and seeks out company.
© 2014, 2023 Kathryn Willett, All Rights Reserved
Get In Touch
Serving areas within 40 miles of Paoli, WI
Call or Text
608-440-1167
Hours
Mon - Fri
7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday:
By appointment only
