13/11/2021
I’ve had a few public comments and private messages asking for the costs involved in a dignified, unhurried final care at home appointment, so I thought I’d describe the procedure and costs involved.
The 3-stage process involves our initial conversation to discuss your pets health issues, along with a review of your vet’s notes and clinical examination of the patient. Assuming we all agree that final care is the appropriate way to safeguard your pet’s welfare, I will ask for the owner or another responsible adult to sign an end-of-life consent form.
I’ll then give an injection of a sedative medication which will take 5-10 minutes to cause a profound relaxation of your pet: during this time, I can either remain present, or wait patiently in another room or in my vehicle whilst your pet drifts into a deep sleep, surrounded by their family.
Once the sedation has taken effect, we can then give the final injection.
For dogs, I will use a local anaesthetic spray over a vein in the hind leg, whilst the family remain with the pet. The sedated patient will then drift away as I give the final injection.
For cats, I might use the front leg, or an injection into the tummy, near one of the kidneys. In all cases, the pet is highly unlikely to feel this final injection.
In terms of costs, my in-hours fees are:
£222 plus drug costs of £25-£45 for all of the above.
Depending on your location, there may be additional travel expenses. For areas not in postcode areas CW4, CW11, CW12, travel is charged at £20 per 15 minutes to cover time and vehicle running costs.
You are welcome to make your own aftercare arrangements. Or I can arrange cremation for you.
A routine cremation without ashes being returned will cost from £80.
For individual cremation and ashes back, please refer to the following link to the crematorium that I use to see available options.
https://www.whitleybrook.co.uk/caskets-urns.html
I do add a nominal £10 to their fees, for arranging the cremation. You can find their prices also on the attached web link.
Information correct at time of posting, and updated on 6th August 2022.