Frequently Asked Questions

If your pet is in pain, struggling with mobility, has lost interest in food or affection, or their quality of life has declined, many owners intuitively ‘know’ however, if you’re unsure you can either consult with your own vet or book a telephone quality of life assessment with one of our vets.

Your pet’s comfort is always our absolute priority. Before the final injection, the vet gives a gentle sedative to help your pet relax and drift into a peaceful, sleepy state.

Every animal responds a little differently and occasionally there can be a brief reaction when the sedative or IV line is placed, similar to when we have a small numbing injection at the dentist. These moments are usually very short-lived and most pets settle quickly once the sedation takes effect.

Our vets take great care to find the right balance with sedation. Giving too much too quickly can lower blood pressure, which can make it harder to place the IV line needed for the final injection. By using just the right amount, we can keep your pet calm and comfortable and ensure the process remains as smooth and gentle as possible.

Once your pet is relaxed, they will not be aware of the final injection, which is completely painless. While unusual, some pets can be more sensitive to needles or handling and we will always adapt to your pet’s individual needs.

Throughout the entire process, our vets work slowly, gently and with great care to make the experience as calm, loving, and pain-free as possible.

Choose a quiet, comfortable space where your pet feels safe - on their bed, in your lap, or even outside if the weather allows. Our vets will happily kneel on the floor to complete the procedure if that is your pets favoured place.

The sedation injection usually takes around 5-10 minutes to fully relax your pet. The follow-up euthanasia injection takes just a few moments. Each pet has a unique experience, but from start to finish is typically around 20-30 minutes.

Regarding what happens, our standard euthanasia protocol follows a two-stage process, beginning with sedation before the administration of pentobarbital.

However, in some cases, where the attending vet determines that sedation is unnecessary or not in the pet’s best interest, for example, if the pet is already at the very end of life and unresponsive (moribund) and not distressed by IV access, we may proceed directly with IV administration of pentobarbital.

This approach allows us to:
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✔ Minimise unnecessary handling to keep your pet as comfortable as possible.
✔ Avoid additional injections that may cause discomfort in a fragile state.
✔ Ensure a peaceful and gentle passing without prolonging the process unnecessarily.

If this situation arises, the vet will explain the reasoning to you before proceeding. Should you still prefer sedation, even against the vet’s advice, we will revert to our standard two-stage protocol.

We partner with a number of excellent pet crematoriums. You can choose individual cremation (ashes returned), communal cremation (ashes respectfully scattered), or home burial (if permitted). The vet does not take your pet away. If you want your pet collected, we sign post you to one of the crematoriums we work with. This can all be seamlessly arranged with our help should you want it.

You can choose individual cremation (ashes returned), communal cremation (ashes respectfully scattered), or home burial (if permitted). Prices for this are separate and not covered by the euthanasia service.

Yes, you and your loved ones, including children and other pets, are welcome to be present. You may choose not to have young children and pets present for the procedure, but it is very important, especially for companion pets to spend time with your pet afterwards to see and understand that their pet friend has passed.