The home visit
$425 plus your zone's house-call fee
Includes the sedation, the euthanasia and our time with you.
End-of-life care
A gentle goodbye, at home
In a familiar place, without a car ride, with the people and pets who matter close by. We take our time, and so can you.
How we arrange it
Please call us rather than using the online form. We keep space for these visits every day we work, and can often come the same day or the next.
When we talk, we will ask about your pet, who would like to be there, and where in the home feels right. Some families choose the garden or a favourite sofa. If you are not sure it is time, we can come for a quality-of-life visit first and talk it through with you, with no decision expected that day.
You can pay at the end of the visit, or later by e-transfer if you would rather not think about it then.
What happens during the visit
- We come in quietly and sit with you first. Most visits take 45 minutes to an hour, and nothing is rushed.
- The vet gives a sedative injection first. Over a few minutes your pet falls into a deep, relaxed sleep while you hold them or sit close.
- When you are ready, and only then, the vet gives the final injection. It works within a minute or two, and the vet listens and tells you when their heart has stopped.
- You can stay with them for as long as you need. Children and other pets are welcome, if you want them there.
- If you choose cremation, we carry your pet out on a soft stretcher, wrapped in a blanket. If you would like to bury them at home, check your local bylaw first, and we can tell you what to ask.
Aftercare options and prices
Cremation is arranged through our partner, Bayview Pet Cremation Services. We handle the transport and paperwork.
Communal cremation
$140 to $260, by weight
Your pet is cremated with other pets, and the ashes are not returned.
Private cremation
$295 to $480, by weight
Your pet is cremated alone, and the ashes come back to you in a cedar box, usually within two weeks. We drop them off, or you can collect them.
Keepsakes
Clay paw print $40 · fur clipping, no charge
Made during the visit, while you are with them.
Prices in Canadian dollars, before HST.
When you are grieving
Losing a pet is losing a member of the family, and the grief can be stronger than people expect. It is normal to feel it for a long time, and to feel it suddenly, at the door or at dinner time.
- Children often do better with plain, honest words. "Died" is easier to understand than "put to sleep" or "went away".
- Other pets may look for their friend, or seem unsettled for a few weeks. Keep their routine the same where you can.
- If the sadness is getting in the way of everyday life, talk to your family doctor. We can also give you the numbers of pet-loss support lines that families have found helpful.
You are welcome to call us in the weeks after, just to talk.