Euthanasia Support Service
Many pet owners wish to be present during the euthanasia of their pet. Thistledown staff are available to assist clients before, during and after this procedure at the clinic or at the client's home.
It is becoming more common for pet owners to request a home euthanasia for their pet to minimize the anxiety their pet will experience prior to the procedure. To assist pet owners whose clinics do not offer this service, Thistledown staff has a listing of vets in many parts of the GTA who do perform home euthanasias. Working with compassionate vets, we also provide this service at Thistledown for pet owners who feel the tranquil atmosphere at Thistledown would be a suitable location for their pet's passing. By selecting this option, pet owners do not have to worry about transporting their deceased companion and may find the support provided by Thistledown staff comforting during such a difficult time.

Exhumation Service
On a number of occasions, we have been asked to exhume already buried pets. Often pet lovers will bury a deceased pet on their property only to find at a later date they are having to re-locate. The thought of leaving behind a beloved pet is often undesirable for our clients. After exhumation a cremation can be arranged if this is the client’s wish

CREMATION SERVICES
We do not have a crematorium at Thistledown. Since 1998, Thistledown has been using the services of a pet crematorium located in Scarborough. Clients can choose from three different cremation options to meet their individual needs.

i) Private Viewing (Dedicated) Cremation
In a “Private Viewing (Dedicated) Cremation”, only one pet is placed in the crematorium. The pet owner, friends and relatives are permitted to be present during this type of cremation. Until the cremation process begins, the pet is never out of the owner’s sight (or arms). Upon completion of the cremation, the cremains of the pet are removed from the crematorium, processed, and returned to the owner in a ceramic urn. Thistledown staff will make all the arrangements for a “Private Viewing Cremation” and are available to be present with the pet’s owner during the cremation, if so desired.

ii) Individual (Private) Cremation
In an “Individual (Private) Cremation”, the remains of a limited number of pets are placed in the crematorium at one time. The pets are well spaced, are individually identified by special stainless steel tags, and are physically separated by adjustable barriers within the crematorium. With this type of cremation, each pet is cremated individually which will allow that pet's cremains (ashes) to be returned to its owner in an urn. Normally, this service takes from one to two weeks; however at Thistledown we offer a unique and very popular option. A pet’s urn can be returned to the owner within 72 hours from the time we receive the pet. Our service allows for immediate cremation with minimal storage of the pet. We stress the fact that dignity of the pet is maintained throughout the entire process from receiving the pet to the return of the urn to the owner. Out of respect for the owners of other pets in the crematorium, pet owners are not permitted to be present before, during or following this type of cremation. All of our pets deserve to be treated and handled with special care.

iii) Communal (Group) Cremation
In a “Communal (Group) Cremation”, pets will be cremated along with a number of other pets in a common cremation. With this type of cremation the cremains from all the pets in the crematorium are intermingled at the conclusion of the cremation. No urn is returned to the client. Cremains from communal cremations arranged through Thistledown are buried in a common pet grave in the Ancaster Pet Cemetery, just west of Hamilton. Out of respect for the owners of other pets in the crematorium, pet owners are not permitted to be present before, during or following this type of cremation.