What is a pet euthanasia consent?
Saying goodbye to a pet is hard enough without filling in forms at the front desk. A euthanasia consent should still be thorough: the vet needs to know the person signing has the right to decide, whether the animal has bitten anyone recently, what the owner wants done afterwards and how the bill will be settled.
This template identifies the pet by name, species, breed and microchip, and has the signer confirm they are the owner or authorised by the owner. It records bite history, because local rules may require a report or testing. It explains what happens, including sedation and the reflexes that can follow, in calm, plain words. The owner says whether they want to be present, chooses individual or communal cremation or burial, and can ask for keepsakes such as a paw print. Payment can be settled before the procedure. The owner can withdraw consent at any time until the drug is given.
- Best for
- Veterinary practices and home-euthanasia vets
- Signed by
- The owner (or someone they authorise) and the veterinarian
- Aftercare
- Individual or communal cremation, home burial or a pet cemetery
- Length
- 2 pages
When to use a pet euthanasia consent
- Planned euthanasia at the practice for an elderly or terminally ill pet
- Home euthanasia visits where the vet sends the form ahead
- A family member authorised by the owner who can't be there
- Practices that want aftercare and keepsake choices recorded in writing
- Taking payment before the appointment so the family can leave quietly
What you fill in
18 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: owner or authorised person, veterinarian.
1 The practice
- Veterinary practice*
- Veterinarian*
- Where it will take place* at the practice · at the owner's home · at another place agreed with the owner
- Date*
2 The pet
- Pet's name*
- Species and breed*
- Age, sex, colour and microchip number
3 The owner
- Owner's full name*
- Owner's address and phone*
- The signer is* the owner of the pet · authorised by the owner to make this decision
- Bite question covers the last (days)*
- Recent bites* has not, to my knowledge, bitten or scratched a person · has bitten or scratched a person
4 Wishes
- Being present* The owner wishes to be present. · The owner does not wish to be present. · The owner will decide on the day.
- Sedation first* The pet will be sedated first, unless the veterinarian judges that it would cause more distress. · The veterinarian will decide whether to sedate first.
- Aftercare* individual cremation, with the ashes returned to the owner · communal cremation, with no ashes returned · the owner will take the body home for burial · burial arranged by the practice through a pet cemetery
- Keepsakes requested
5 Payment
- Total fee
- When payment is due* before the procedure, so the owner need not deal with it afterwards · on the day, after the procedure · on invoice, within 14 days
6 Who signs
- Owner or authorised person signature and date · The pet's owner, or a person the owner has authorised to make this decision. Must be 18 or older.
- Veterinarian signature and date, job title · The veterinarian who will perform the euthanasia.
What the pet euthanasia consent covers
- The pet
- Ownership and authority
- Health and bite history
- What will happen
- My decision
- Aftercare
- Payment
- Release
Using the pet euthanasia consent, step by step
1 Appointment details
Your practice name fills in. Add the vet, choose the practice or the owner's home, and set the date.
2 The pet and the owner
Enter the pet's name, species, breed and microchip, and the owner's contact details, and record whether the signer is the owner or authorised by them.
3 Wishes and aftercare
Record whether the owner wants to be present, the sedation approach, the cremation or burial choice and any keepsakes.
4 Sign ahead
Send it the day before. The owner signs on their phone, you countersign, and the record is kept in your FileIt vault.
Tips before you send it
- Offer to send the form before the appointment so the owner isn't asked to read it in the consult room.
- Confirm the aftercare choice by phone too. Once a communal cremation has happened, ashes can't be returned.
- Check your local rules on home burial and on reporting animals that have bitten someone.
- If ownership is disputed, for example after a separation, wait until it's settled before going ahead.
Sign it online in minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
Pet euthanasia consent: frequently asked questions
Can someone other than the owner sign?
Yes, if the owner has authorised them. The signer chooses 'authorised by the owner' and confirms it. Many vets also confirm with the owner directly.
Why does it ask about bites?
In many places a pet that has bitten someone recently must be reported, and the body may need to be kept or tested. That can affect the aftercare choice.
Can the owner change their mind?
Yes. The form says consent can be withdrawn at any time until the euthanasia drug is given.
Does it cover home visits?
Yes. Choose 'at the owner's home' as the location and include any home-visit charge in the fee.