Home Euthanasia

This is deeply personal. We're happy to discuss your pet's quality of life over the phone or via telehealth to help you feel confident in your decision, without pressure.

Absolutely. Children, other pets, and extended family are all welcome. We create a calm, unhurried environment so everyone can say goodbye in their own way.

We can coordinate private or communal cremation, or provide guidance if you wish to bury your pet at home. We'll walk you through every option.

We do our best to accommodate urgent requests. For planned goodbyes, booking 2–3 days ahead gives us the most flexibility to find a time that works for your family.

The home visit is $399 for pocket animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, and similar smaller companions), or $449 for cats and dogs. The fee covers travel within standard Melbourne, a pre-visit telehealth call to plan how the visit will go, pre-sedation, the procedure, and unhurried time before and after. The price is the same regardless of size, weight, or time of day. Cremation and keepsakes are optional add-ons priced separately.

If you'd like us to coordinate cremation, communal cremation is $195 (a respectful shared cremation; ashes are not returned), and private cremation starts at $400 (your pet cremated individually, ashes returned to you in a vessel of your choice within 5–7 days). Transfer from your home to our cremation partner is included in those prices. Clay paw prints are an optional $100; ink paw prints and fur clippings are complimentary.

The visit fee covers everything we do around the appointment: a pre-visit telehealth call to plan how the visit will go, travel within standard Melbourne, time with you and your pet before anything begins, pre-sedation so they drift into a calm, restful sleep, the euthanasia injection itself, time afterwards for final goodbyes, aftercare coordination, an ink paw print or fur clipping keepsake on request, and grief support resources. The only things priced separately are cremation (if arranged through us) and the optional clay paw print keepsake.

We allow 60–90 minutes for an at-home euthanasia visit, but we don't watch the clock. The first 15–20 minutes are spent settling in, talking through what's about to happen, and giving you time with your pet. The pre-sedation takes about 10 minutes to take effect. The procedure itself is brief, usually just a few minutes, and we then stay for as long as you need afterwards. Most families take 20–30 minutes after the passing; some take longer. There is no rush at any stage.

Keep the home environment calm and familiar. Have their favourite blanket or bed in the room where the visit will happen. If they can still enjoy a treat or a small bite of something special, offering it during the pre-sedation often helps. Many families also light a candle, put on quiet music, or have framed photos nearby. There is no script, but small comforts help. You do not need to prepare anything medical; we bring everything.

Not necessarily. Many families find it more peaceful when other pets are nearby, and there is reasonable evidence that it helps them recognise the passing rather than wondering where their companion has gone. If you have a particularly anxious or very large dog, it can be easier to settle them in another room during the procedure itself, then bring them in afterwards to say goodbye if you would like. We will discuss what suits your household when we arrive.

We aim to offer appointments within 1–3 days in most suburbs. Same-day visits are sometimes available depending on the schedule. If your pet's condition is urgent, please contact us directly and we will do our best to accommodate you quickly. Telehealth triage is available immediately if you need a same-day clinical opinion while waiting for a home visit.

Yes. At Home Vetcare does not add after-hours or weekend surcharges. The $449 flat fee applies regardless of day or time. Availability depends on scheduling; contact us to check current appointment times.

At a clinic, a pet is transported in a stressed state and the procedure happens in an unfamiliar environment. At home, your pet stays in their own space, the pace is unhurried, and your whole family can be present. For pets with anxiety, mobility issues, or conditions that make travel painful, the at-home option is almost always gentler.

No referral is required. You can book directly through our website or by phone. If you have recent records from your regular vet, sharing them helps Dr. Jina prepare for the visit, but it is not a prerequisite. Many families come to us having already discussed the decision with their regular vet.

Yes, and we encourage it when families are uncertain. A quality-of-life consultation ($179) uses the HHHHHMM framework to assess your pet's comfort and helps you make the decision with clinical guidance rather than guesswork. If you and Dr. Jina agree that the time has come during that visit, the procedure can proceed the same day without needing a separate booking.

The process is the same for both: sedation is given first so your pet is completely at ease and deeply relaxed, then they pass gently and peacefully. The setting and pacing adapt to the individual animal. Cats who are very anxious may take a little longer to settle, and Dr. Jina is experienced in making that time calm rather than clinical.