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Our group offers a small paw print ornament (or plaque depending on the size) and with it, we all sign a card. I think it's really well received because people just want to know that others acknowledge their loss. It's such a simple way to show that you care.
Yes we do. Especially families who we have been seeing for years. It's a lost for us also
Yes we send cards and we usually share a good memory we have with their pet or wish their family comfort during a tough time
I think it's a good gesture. Pets can be the reason why some people got out of a depression or their only friend when they feel alone. It can be tough when we lose them
I don't send sympathy cards, rather I send them flowers and their pet's copy of regular visit records. I know how painful it is to lose your beloved pets. Other people who cannot bear children dedicate their time taking care of their pets instead of children.
Yes we always do.
This is something we frequently do. Every veterinarian in our facility does it. You wouldn't believe how much the individuals who look after your dogs care about them. While all euthanasias are felt, some wound us more than others.
Sending sympathy cards has long been customary. Though sometimes veterinarians or other staff members who are familiar with the patient would write a bit more if the patient had an impact on them or had some other connection with them. Even their pet's paw print is printed on the cards.
It's typical; I support them in my clinic, and they are never completed in a checklist-style manner. We love animals so much and are more familiar than most with how it feels to lose them, so it's genuine sadness and heartfelt regrets.
In addition to a plaster pawprint and a packet of flower seeds, we send a card that was signed by everyone in the clinic. These tiny things meant a lot to us, and we are equally heartbroken. We strive to make pet owners as loved as their animals.
Yes, it does happen. It's an act of empathy, not a PR stunt. The importance of a pet to people and how terrible it is to lose a member of the family are things that I believe veterinarians and vet nurses would comprehend better than others.
At my practice the doctors are responsible for writing a card to send to the families of pets we euthanized or our patients that die. It’s an emergency practice so I usually have about 4-5 cards to write per shift. I pretty much always write the same thing and it’s gotten shorter over time. Currently I have this HUGE stack of backlogged cards in my box after a crazy couple of weeks. Just wondering what other people write in their cards.
Yes. Here’s what I write:
Dear _________ Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet boy/girl Pet Name. I know he/she was an important member of the family and will be very missed.
My sympathies, ___________
In a big practice you can’t write a lot, but if you can say anything personal about the pet, your real ness comes through. She or he really loved her food or his carrots or his belly rubs. Or he was a loud snorer or great jumper or super watch dog. Or she hated going to the vet but was always well-behaved. Also, how about printed cards with a poem or lines from a song that people might find comforting followed by the vet’s signature or those of everyone who knew the pet?
Ours is short but sweet note. "My greatest condolences, and may I offer hope that the wonderful memories you have, from your sweet boy/girl <pet name>, will keep you remembering him/her with joy forever."
I have a whole list of things I cycle through, always with a personal note tacked on, but one I haven't seen written here yet is "My thoughts are with you as you celebrate (the pet's name) life and begin healing from her passing."
If i know the pet or client i try to make it nice, if not my boiler plate response is: remember all the joy “insert pet name here” brought to your life My condelonces, Red
Sympathy cards in general seem to be a point of contention with clients... and staff. We hold on to the cards for about 5 days so the staff has a chance to sign them. Some people appreciate the card, others hate it, some staff members always forget to sign (me) and sometimes the cards dont get sent in five days and then its two weeks later by the time it gets to the client.
We offer paw prints on clay for pet owners who lost their pets. It's just a little token but it means a lot to us and most especially to the owners.
I work at a vet clinic, and we go through this most of the time. Good thing, our receptionist is an artist. So we allowed her to paint portrait of every dog who passed as a token for the pet owners.
Unfortunately, we don't. But we do offer them information on support groups online. It's the least we could do.