As Hospice Pet Care Seeks Industry Recognition, Pet Insurers Are Ahead of the Curve

A group of veterinary specialists dedicated to palliative and hospice care for America’s companion animals is petitioning the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to recognize their organization with board certification. And although the process of approving a new specialization can take years, most pet insurance companies already cover end-of-life services.

Palliative and hospice care for pets is much the same as it is for humans — with a notable exception. Both human and animal palliative care rely on medications, physical therapy, environmental accommodations, and alternative treatments to manage pain. Human and pet hospice care emphasizes supporting the patient’s family as well. But hospice care for dogs and cats can include euthanasia, too.

“Losing a pet is difficult enough without having to worry about the cost for end-of-life care,” says Britney Balk, a customer success specialist and pet insurance expert with Insurify. “Most pet insurers will cover the cost of euthanasia, provided it’s considered medically necessary due to a covered illness or accident.”

Small numbers, big need

The non-profit International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) was the first organization in the U.S. to recognize the need for pet palliative and hospice services. Founded in 2009, the organization now has more than 1,550 members in 35 countries and 49 U.S. states and has graduated 412 professionals from its certification program, according to the IAAHPC’s 2025 annual report.

On its website, the IAAHPC acknowledges “there is a great shortage of qualified animal hospice and palliative care providers.” The organization has thrown its support behind the movement to secure AVMA board certification for the American College of Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Medicine (ACVHPM).

If the AVMA provisionally recognizes hospice and palliative care as an area of specialty veterinary care, the ACVHPM would be responsible for guiding formalized, in-depth training programs and setting professional standards for specialists in the field. The organization will also need to report on its progress to the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) every year for at least four years before it can apply for full recognition.

The ABVS is accepting public comments on the application to recognize a palliative and hospice care specialization. Comments close at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 13. Members of the public, including pet parents and veterinary professionals, can submit their comments online through an ABVS comment form.

End-of-life care that pet insurance often pays for

Most standard accident and illness pet insurance policies cover the cost of euthanasia if it’s medically necessary due to a covered accident or illness. Policies can also cover other end-of-life therapies, like medicines and treatments for pain relief, when the cause is a covered accident or illness.

And some insurers provide optional benefits aimed at helping pet parents grieve. For example, it’s possible to find policy add-ons that help pay for cremation, burial, and commemorative items like paw prints, framed pictures, and even tattoos.

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