End of Life Services
Making the decision to say goodbye to a beloved pet is tough. This Quality of Life Scale will help you to consider all the factors that affect your pet’s happiness and sense of well-being.
Pet Aftercare Services
Maui Humane Society provides caring and ethical pet cremation service to all pet owners and veterinary clinics on the island of Maui. Our compassionate staff strives to give your pet’s remains the same dignified and respectful aftercare that we would want for our own pets. Each individual who handles your pet’s aftercare at the Maui Humane Society is an animal lover who understands and empathizes with the pain of losing a beloved pet.
Please call 808-877-3680 with any questions about cremation services. No appointment is necessary for pet cremation services.
Maui Humane Society does not provide euthanasia services to the public. We recommend that decision be made with the guidance of your pet’s veterinarian.
Expedited private cremation provides you with the opportunity to keep your beloved pet’s remains as a permanent and personal keepsake. Once we receive your pet, the cremation process with begin. Your pet will be the only pet in the cremation chamber during the cremation process. You will receive only the cremated remains of your pet within 72 hours. Pricing for cremation is dependent upon the pet’s weight.
0 – 20 lbs. | $300
21 – 50 lbs. | $400
51 – 99 lbs. | $500
100+ lbs. | $600
Individual cremation is the recommended option for those who wish to keep the remains of their pet. Your beloved pet is placed into the crematory and separated from the other pets with partitions. You will receive only the cremated remains of your pet. The average wait time for individual cremation is about 1-2 weeks. Pricing for cremation is dependent upon the pet’s weight.
0 – 20 lbs. | $175
21 – 50 lbs. | $250
51 – 99 lbs. | $300
100+ lbs. | $375
Communal cremation gently places the pet into the crematory chamber along with several other animals. Pet ashes are not returned to the owner. Instead, remains will be scattered on Maui Humane Society’s play yards and planter beds, to honor your pet’s memory where animals are given second chances every day. Pricing for cremation is dependent upon the pet’s weight.
0 – 20 lbs. | $100
21 – 50 lbs. | $175
51 – 99 lbs. | $250
100+ lbs. | $325
Colony cat caretakers who wish to cremate a cat can do so with communal cremation at a discounted rate of $25 per cat.
Coping with the Death of a Pet
Animals provide companionship, acceptance, emotional support, and unconditional love. If you understand and accept this bond between humans and animals, you’ve already taken the first step toward coping with pet loss: knowing that it is okay to grieve when a pet dies.
Everybody grieves differently when they experience the loss of a pet. Seniors, families with small children, and even surviving family pets may need guidance when grieving the loss of a pet.
Tips for grieving pet parents
- Take care of yourself by making sure you get the rest and nutrition you need, even when you feel distracted.
- Your concentration may be impaired, so take extra caution when driving or crossing the street.
- Recognize and accept that though the bond between you and your pet is as valuable as any of your human relationships, your loss may not be recognized or appreciated by other people.
- Find a support group by speaking with your veterinary professionals, groomer or other pet owners.
- Create a special place in your home to which you can go when you want to remember your pet. Although remembering may be painful at first, eventually that pain will turn into sweet memories.
Pet loss and children
The loss of a pet may be a child’s first experience with death. The child may blame himself, his parents, or the veterinarian for not saving the pet. And he may feel guilty, depressed, and frightened that others he loves may be taken from him. Trying to protect your child by saying the pet ran away could cause your child to expect the pet’s return and feel betrayed after discovering the truth. Discuss the death of your pet openly and honestly with your children. Expressing your own grief may reassure your child that sadness is ok and help her work through her feelings.
Pet loss and seniors
Coping with the loss of a pet can be particularly hard for seniors. Those who live alone may feel a loss of purpose and an immense emptiness. A pet’s death may also trigger painful memories of other losses and remind caregivers of their own mortality. What’s more, the decision to get another pet is complicated by the possibility that the pet may outlive the caregiver and that the decision to get another pet hinges on the person’s physical and financial ability to care for a new pet.
For all these reasons, it’s critical that senior pet owners take immediate steps to cope with their loss and regain a sense of purpose. If you are a senior, try interacting with friends and family, calling a pet-loss support hotline, even volunteering at Maui Humane Society. If you know seniors in this situation, share what you know to help guide them through the difficult grieving process.
Pet loss and surviving pets
Surviving pets may whimper, refuse to eat or drink, and suffer lethargy, especially if they had a close bond with the deceased pet. Even if they were not the best of friends, the changing circumstances and your emotional state may distress them. However, if your remaining pets continue to act out of sorts, there could actually be a medical problem that requires your veterinarian’s attention. Give surviving pets lots of TLC and try to maintain a normal routine. It’s good for them and for you.
When it's time to adopt again
Rushing into this decision isn’t fair to you or your new pet. Each animal has her own unique personality and a new animal cannot replace the one you lost. You’ll know when the time is right to adopt a new pet after giving yourself time to grieve, carefully considering the responsibilities of pet ownership, and paying close attention to your feelings. When you’re ready, remember that Maui Humane Society is the perfect place to find your next special friend.
Honor Your Pet
A memorial gift to the Maui Humane Society is a personal remembrance that honors the life of your pet who has passed. You can choose to donate any amount in the memory of your pet who has passed. You can also memorialize your pet by sponsoring a kennel at Maui Humane Society in their honor.
