The End-of-Life Journey with our Beloved Animals – Session 3
The End-of-Life Journey with our Beloved Animals: From Diagnosis to Life After Loss; A Three-Program Series
The NYS Bar Association’s Committee on Animals and the Law presents a three-part symposium exploring the emotional, practical, ethical, and legal complexities of end-of-life care for beloved companion animals and equines. Whether attended as a series or individually, each session offers compassionate guidance for navigating end-of-life decisions, supporting grief and healing, and understanding the legal responsibilities that accompany an animal’s final stage of life.
Session 3: Legal Considerations for End-of-Life Decisions Concerning our Animals
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
(This session offers 1.0 MCLE credit in Areas of Professional Practice.)
The first presentation addresses legal and ethical considerations for pet euthanasia and post-death arrangements in New York. The focus is on compliance, ethical practices, and clear processes to ensure dignity and legal adherence throughout end-of-life care for pets. The presentation will discuss euthanasia protocols, including controlled substances and approved methods, along with consent requirements, personnel roles, and family presence during euthanasia. For final arrangements, the presentation will review burial, cremation, and other options. Finally, we will discuss consent for aftercare, veterinary-provided services, and handling abandoned remains.
The second presentation provides a critical analysis of pet bereavement leave within the context of New York employment law. Currently, no federal or New York State law mandates pet bereavement leave. We will differentiate between existing state-mandated benefits (DBL, PFL) that are unusable for pet loss, and negotiable options such as PTO and unpaid leave. We will also examine the pending NYC Int. 1089-2024, and the similar state bill, A.197, which propose using existing sick time for pet medical care. Attendees will learn how to counsel clients to review handbooks, monitor legislative progress, and navigate this growing, yet legally unsupported, workplace trend.
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This Three-Program Series includes:
Session 1: End-of-Life Decisions & Ethical Considerations for an Ailing Animal
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (This session does not offer MCLE credit.)
Session 2: Losing a Beloved Animal: Navigating the Spectrum of Grief and Bereavement
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (This session does not offer MCLE credit.)
Session 3: Legal Considerations for End-of-Life Decisions Concerning our Animals
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (This session offers 1.0 MCLE credit in Areas of Professional Practice.)
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- February 25, 2026
- 2:00 PM
- 3:00 PM
- 1.0
- 1.0
- Virtual Participation
Session 3: Legal Considerations for End-of-Life Decisions Concerning our Animals
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
(This session offers 1.0 MCLE credit in Areas of Professional Practice.)
The first presentation addresses legal and ethical considerations for pet euthanasia and post-death arrangements in New York. The focus is on compliance, ethical practices, and clear processes to ensure dignity and legal adherence throughout end-of-life care for pets. The presentation will discuss euthanasia protocols, including controlled substances and approved methods, along with consent requirements, personnel roles, and family presence during euthanasia. For final arrangements, the presentation will review burial, cremation, and other options. Finally, we will discuss consent for aftercare, veterinary-provided services, and handling abandoned remains.
The second presentation provides a critical analysis of pet bereavement leave within the context of New York employment law. Currently, no federal or New York State law mandates pet bereavement leave. We will differentiate between existing state-mandated benefits (DBL, PFL) that are unusable for pet loss, and negotiable options such as PTO and unpaid leave. We will also examine the pending NYC Int. 1089-2024, and the similar state bill, A.197, which propose using existing sick time for pet medical care. Attendees will learn how to counsel clients to review handbooks, monitor legislative progress, and navigate this growing, yet legally unsupported, workplace trend.
Moderator:
Debra Hamilton, Esq.
Hamilton Law and Mediation PLLC
Morehead City, NC
Part 1 – Pet Euthanasia and Post-Death Arrangements
Speaker:
Beverly Jones
Chief Legal Officer
ASPCA
New York, NY
Part 2 – Pet Bereavement Leave
Speaker:
Nance L. Schick, Esq.
Third Ear Conflict Resolution
New York, NY
1.0 MCLE Credit in Areas of Professional Practice
2:50 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Q&A
- Debra V. Hamilton, Esq., Hamilton Law and Mediation PLLC
- Beverly J. Jones, New York City Department of Health
- Nance L. Schick, Esq., Third Ear Conflict Resolution
- Webinar
- 0QL21
- Committee on Animals and the Law
- Committee on Attorney Well-Being
- Committee on Continuing Legal Education
