Euthanasia

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is always difficult. To help alleviate some of the burden, Humane Society of West Michigan offers low-cost euthanasia for pet owners.
Process & Scheduling
Click the button below to schedule your appointment. Pricing for euthanasia services are as follows:

  • ​Rabbits & Small Critters: $75.00
  • Cats: $75.00
  • Dogs under 25lbs: $75.00
  • Dogs 26-70lbs: $100.00​
  • Dogs over 70lbs: $150
  • **There is an additional $50 fee for behavioral euthanasia appointments. 

Please note: owners are not allowed in the room while procedure is taking place.
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Each animal's microchip will be checked upon intake and must be registered to the current owner before moving forward with the procedure. Please note we do not provide emergency services and we have a wait time of 7-10 business days. HSWM reserves the right to refuse euthanasia requests for animals who are medically and behaviorally sound upon intake.
Remain Preparations and Memorial Products
We can dispose of the remains through a memorial cremation, or the owner may retain them for home burial. We also offer several cremation options for an additional cost through Trusted Journey and memorial products through HSWM, as listed below.

Memorial Cremation
With a memorial cremation service, several pet companions are cremated at the same time. The remains are then interred on Trusted Journey's grounds. Please note: when selecting a memorial cremation service, remains are not returned to you. There is no additional cost over base euthanasia fee for this service.

Individual Cremation
More than one pet companion is placed in the crematory during the cremation process, but they are in separate areas of the crematory and remain segregated throughout the process - the ashes do not get mingled. As with the private cremation service, you will receive only your pet companions remains returned to you in decorative floral tin marked with their name, identification number and a certificate of cremation. 

Fee: $87 to $380 dependent on animal size.

Private Cremation
As with human cremation, your pet companion is placed alone in the crematorium during the cremation process. Your companions remains are returned to you in a decorative floral tin marked with their name, identification number and a certificate of cremation.

Fee: $188 to $430 dependent on animal size.

Memorial Products
HSWM's "No Kill" Policy & Euthanasia Disclaimer
Our shelter is committed to saving every animal in our care who can be saved. We do not end the life of healthy or treatable pets even at an owner’s request. We only euthanize a pet if:

  • A veterinarian has assessed that there is no chance of recovering an acceptable quality of life, or
  • It would be clearly inhumane or unsafe not to do so immediately, or
  • In cases of irremediable canine aggression when (1) a veterinarian has eliminated medical treatment as a solution; (2) rehabilitation by a specialist in canine behavior has failed; and (3) staff and public safety cannot be reasonably assured, or other management protocols seriously compromise quality of life.

Additionally, HSWM provides other necessary services for our greater community that may result in euthanasia or an animal passing in our care. These programs include:
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  • We have a neonatal kitten program. Neonatal kittens have fragile immune systems and often arrive at the shelter as orphans and with compromised health. We make every effort to treat and care for kittens until they are eating on their own and healthy enough to go to a foster home, but some lives are still lost despite those efforts. 
  • We accept and provide medical care to old, injured and sick animals. Some do not make it, despite our best efforts.
  • We provide a compassionate end-of-life service for members of our community who request euthanasia and could not otherwise afford the service at a veterinary clinic.