LetMeGo and COVID 19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic our pets and us are finding ourselves living in a changed world. While the new rules and changed social protocols might be testing for us humans, our pets are just loving the fact we are home with them so much more!

Please know that the Australian Government has deemed veterinary services as ESSENTIAL.

This means that veterinary care and humane euthanasia, are considered ESSENTIAL services and the LetMeGo service will, with extra precautions, remain available to you and your sick or ageing pet.

These extra precautions are taken to keep everyone safe and healthy:

* At the moment in-home quality of life assessments are not available. To determine if your pet 'is ready', we will, if needed, have a conversation with you on the phone. You can also provide pictures and video material.

* Dr Marie de Lint herself is healthy, without symptoms, has not been overseas recently and adheres to social distancing and hygiene rules. Please let her know if you have a fever, respiratory symptoms or have potentially been exposed to COVID-19 so alternative arrangements can be made.

* To avoid back-to-back appointments less appointments are currently available enabling us to go home, sanitise materials and change clothes.

* If possible, we prefer to be outside during the euthanasia process. This can be in the backyard or on the veranda. It could also be an area with less traffic, like the garage. Of course we understand that this is not always possible.

* Entering your house doesn't have to be through the front door. It can be through a side gate or garage door. Please let us know what you prefer.

* Only the essentials are brought into your home and will be placed on a sanitised drape.

* Unfortunately, those things that come so naturally to some of us, especially in emotional situations are on the 'can't do list' so there won't be handshakes and hugs... Virtual hugs and kisses are still allowed though...

* The time we spend in close contact will be minimised.

* We won't leave any material behind. This means that any hand-outs, information and invoices will be send to you by email. Unfortunately, this also means that we are not offering paw prints (crafty people can do this themselves with either paper and paint or plaster of paris).

What we CAN do:

We hear a lot about things we CAN'T do at the moment but there is so much we CAN do. Let's concentrate on that...

A few examples

* Spend lots of time with your pet(s). When caring for elderly and unwell pets this could mean being able to provide palliative care for longer. Sometimes just by being around and giving a helping hand you can maintain their quality of life for longer... This is a very special time... (You might want to cross a few things off your pet's bucket list...)

* When it is time to say goodbye you CAN still do this at home, you can make it peaceful and memorable with music, candles, yummy treats, a soft bed or all of the above!

* We can, after your pet has passed, slow things down a bit... You can wrap your furry friend in a soft, warm blanket, put a pillow under his/her head and favourite toy under his/her leg... Let's make sure he/she looks super comfy... Hold him/her in your arms or sit next to him/her on the couch for a while. He/she will feel warm for quite some time. You might want to brush the coat, clean eyes and ears... No need to go ahead straight away with the burial or cremation, there will be plenty of time to do that later, or even the next day... Give children and other pets time to visit and say goodbye.

* Have a drink, a toast, a cry, share special memories and recall the adventures you've had together. Make a paw print, snip off a lock of hair, take a picture of that beautiful, relaxed, pain-free face ...

Item added 10 April 2020

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