Animal Services

Euthanasia Services

Sometimes the hardest part of being a loving pet owner is making the decision to have your pet humanely euthanized. Stanislaus Animal Services Agency accepts owned pets for euthanasia when the pet is suffering from a medical condition.

If you require euthanasia services please bring your animal into our shelter during normal business hours. A licensed veterinarian must be on-site to approve all medical euthanasia requests. If a pet owner does not have a written euthanasia recommendation from a licensed veterinarian, approval will be dependent on veterinarian availability at the time of intake. Pet owners may be referred to a local licensed veterinarian if a pet does not meet SASA’s qualifications.

• Euthanasia Services are available for residents within our licensing jurisdiction.

Please contact your local Animal Control agency to inquire whether euthanasia services are available to residents.

For the City of Newman:
Contact the Newman Police Dept.
Newman Police Department
1200 Main Street
Newman CA 95360
Phone: (209) 862-2902

For the City of Turlock:
Turlock Animal Control
801 S. Walnut
Turlock CA 95380
Phone: (209) 668-5550 x6301

For the City of Riverbank / Oakdale:
Oakdale Animal Control
9800 Liberini
Oakdale CA 95361
Phone: (209) 847-5625

Euthanasia Fee

$40.00 per animal

$203 Out of Jurisdiction Fee

Policy on Surrender

The center accepts only owned pets that are either experiencing a medical emergency such as a traumatic injury or have suddenly become ill or those who are not experiencing a life threatening medical emergency such as age related illnesses or those whose pain is currently managed. We cannot accept pets for euthanasia from people who are not the actual owners of the pet. Friends, family or other people may not request euthanasia of an animal for anyone else.

A licensed veterinarian must be on-site to approve all medical euthanasia requests. If a pet owner does not have a written euthanasia recommendation from a licensed veterinarian, approval will be dependent on veterinarian availability at the time of intake.

Owners are not permitted to be present during the euthanasia of their pet and we do not provide cremation services. If you would like to be present during euthanasia or cremation services for your pet, we recommend you take your pet to a veterinarian.

Euthanasia Process

Animals are euthanized by highly trained staff members certified to perform animal euthanasia. Pets who are nervous or scared are provided with an injection of anesthetic. The pet falls asleep within 5 minutes. Once the pet is sleeping, he/she is given an injection of sodium pentobarbital which immediately shuts down the pet’s central nervous system. The pet’s heart stops beating and the pet stops breathing within seconds of receiving the injection. The process of the medication working in the pet’s system is completely painless. After the injection is given, the technician verifies that the pet has passed away.