Dr. Lauren Ayala
Verified Veterinarian
Why I provide at-home pet euthanasia
Supporting both pets and the people who love them through end-of-life care has been a long standing passion of mine. With a background as a human Hospice volunteer, I understand the importance of creating a space filled with compassion, dignity, and grace during these deeply personal moments. I take special care to minimize any discomfort or stress a beloved pet may experience near the end of life. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me at the gym, gardening in my yard, or cheering from the sidelines at my kids’ sports games. I feel honored to be part of each family’s journey and am committed to making every goodbye as gentle as possible.
Education
Undergraduate: University of California San Diego - 2001
Veterinary Medicine: University of California Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine - 2008
- Based InRoseville, CA
- Service areasRoseville, CA and surrounding areas
- Work Experience17+ years
- Animals ServedAll Dogs & Cats, Small Mammals (includes rats, ham ...
- Notice Required4 hours
General availability
TuesdayTimes Vary Weekly
Availability each week can vary based on demand and scheduling. Please provide a minimum 2 hour advance notice for all bookings.
Services provided
At home pet euthanasia
Dr. Lauren Ayala will help your beloved pet transition peacefully in the comfort of of their home, surrounded by loved ones
Est. CostStarting at $360
Keepsakes
Clay paw prints, wooden urns with personalizations available with ashes returned
Est. CostFrom $25 - $60
Quality of life consult
Schedule a 1-on-1 with a vet over a virtual conference call or at home.
Est. CostStarting at $225
What pet parents are saying
Dr. Ayala gave our Leo the most peaceful and loving time we could imagine. She came to our backyard around sunset and had a very gentle touch with our good boy. She was patient with his old veins and took her time to find the best place to give him the medication. Even afterwards, she had such a gentle way of taking him with her and we were so grateful. Couldn’t imagine saying out goodbye in a better way. Thank you, Dr Ayala!
Dr. Lauren is so amazing and kind! She was patient and present the entire time she was with us and gave us exactly what we needed during our last moments with our Neo.
I am SO grateful for CodaPet and Dr Lauren Ayala. I was let down last minute by another company and was able to easily schedule the very next morning right off my phone and CodaPet was much simpler and more affordable with even better memorial items. The visit itself was very peaceful, with Dr Ayala explaining each step and giving us time with our Melody and our other dogs. The wheeled stretcher looked so cozy with blankets and it was all so respectful and organized. Thank you so much for having this wonderful service available to the community.
No one wants to go through this experience, but being able to have Dr Ayala come to our home was a far better option compared to going to the vet. Vet clinics can be scary places for pets especially when they are in such a vulnerable state at end of life. Our dog hated them and I'm so glad she was able to pass on in her home peacefully. Highly recommend this option despite it costing more. Dr Ayala was also very kind and I'm glad she was the one sent out for this. If she's in charge of your case you're in good hands.
We were lucky to have nine good years with our Bernese Mountain Dog, “Sansa”; however, when the end came, it came fast. Loss of appetite and vomiting, then vomiting blood… lethargy… sudden evacuation of bowels without the energy to even register on her face, much less move. Ultimately, it led to a simple realization: her body was shutting down; she was dying before our very eyes; and, the answer to our only truly important question: “is she suffering but not even able to communicate this to us?”, was a complete unknown. All of this—form not seeing any need for concern—to resigning ourselves to have her euthanizied within a few hours…. took less than 24 hours. As you would imagine, our first course of action was with our vet. But what started as getting an urgent, same-day visit scheduled turned into a euthanasia appointment, which then turned into a desperate inquiry for a solution that would not only spare Sansa a car ride, but allow us to continue providing uninterrupted comfort and attention at home without any distraction. Fortunately, that last call is where we learned about in-home euthanasia. Our vet recommended CodaPet, and I immediately booked the first appointment available. And while the decision to end Sansa’s suffering as soon as possible was easy; her actually dying was something else entirely. But what did make this utterly heartbreaking experience a little less painful, was that the doctor we got: Lauren Ayala. When she arrived, she calmly and gently just “took it from there”. I can’t tell you how much this matters when you’re faced with such an overwhelming loss. Dr. Ayala had such a special way about her: not only giving Sansa the painless, gentle departure we wanted so badly, but she also provided us with just as much comfort. She isn’t just a good doctor; she’s the kind of person who genuinely cares for everyone involved. She understands completely that Sansa isn’t just our pet—she’s a family member. We got to spend our last few moments petting her and cradling her snout while Dr. Ayala talked us through everything that was happening and what to expect. We were never out of our pup’s line of sight, and I know that was exactly what she wanted; and for us to be able to do that, in our own home, and without having to move her, meant so much. The first injection was to sedate her, so she’d be unconscious. Sansa just closed her eyes, but her breathing let us know she was still with us. Laruen then let us know the euthanasia was going in. It took a couple minutes at most, but Sansa didn’t move; there was no moaning or gurgling – her body didn’t twitch or spasm or anything like that. Not one bit. She just stopped breathing. She didn’t feel a thing, It was peaceful. Everything about the process and how Dr. Ayala managed it all was the best we could possibly hope for. And as soon as Sansa passed, she stepped out for a bit so we could say goodbye. My wife and I just continued petting and talking to her, as if she was still there, barely able to fathom that after nine years, and with all of this happening within just one single day, she was simply gone. What followed was a blur. I helped wrap our pup in the blankets she was laying on, and together we got her into the car. I held it together best I could, but just as we got her inside, one of her paws emerged from the blankets. I pretty much lost it then and there. I could only muster a quick ‘thank you’ to Dr. Ayala and her assistant before quickly turning back and making my way inside to rejoin my wife. Losing a pet is just… hard. And honestly, it was only after some time passed and we could reflect on that day then when it dawned on us how truly fortunate we were to have Lauren there. She was so kind, so caring, and professional in a way that it almost went unnoticed that this is a doctor who has done all the prep, calculated all the medications, then flawlessly executed a procedure that really does take some serious skill. I’m sure most vets who provide in-home euthanasia know what they’re doing and how to handle distraught family members, so It would be crazy to think we lucked out big time (as if our experience was some markedly unusual exception), but I KNOW with absolute certainty that Dr. Lauren Ayala is EXACTLY who you would want to come to your door when the time comes. I would urge anyone considering in-home euthanasia to know that it’s worth every penny. Being with your pet in your own home really matters so much. Even if you (like us), can’t fully realize how important the little things matter until you’re able to look back on it later, trust me, you’ll be glad knowing you chose the best option when you were faced with such a difficult decision. If you feel your pet might be approaching the end, the first thing I’d suggest would be to bookmark the CodaPet website. Keep Dr. Lauren Ayala’s name written down nearby. If you’re able to book her, you can rest assured you’ll be in truly excellent hands.
Dr. Ayala was very kind and compassionate. We we’re grateful to have her during this difficult time. Mago had a peaceful and loving goodbye in her care. Thank you so much for easing his journey 💞
