Gentle Goodbye Vets

Home euthanasia for pets in East Devon, West Dorset and South Somerset

Gentle Goodbye Vets is a veterinary service focused on end-of-life care for dogs, cats and other small pets. Its central offer is euthanasia carried out at the animal's home, allowing the pet to pass away in familiar surroundings rather than during a trip to a clinic. The service is run by Gareth, a veterinary surgeon who graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2005 and states more than 20 years of experience in clinical practice.

The practice presents home euthanasia as an alternative for families whose regular veterinary practice cannot provide the procedure at home. The stated aim is a gentle and dignified goodbye, with the approach adapted to the individual needs of each pet and household.

How the home visit is organised

The process is described in three stages. It begins with a booking conversation by phone, message, email or an online form, during which a visit time is arranged and any specific needs of the pet are discussed. The vet then travels to the home and administers a sedative so the animal falls into a deep sleep before euthanasia is carried out. If the owner wishes, the vet can take the pet for cremation and later return the ashes.

Coverage area and appointment availability

Home euthanasia is offered in East Devon, West Dorset and South Somerset, within a radius of approximately 20 miles from Honiton. Routine appointments are usually booked on weekdays between 9am and 5pm. Evening and weekend visits can sometimes be arranged outside those hours, although the practice notes that this is not always possible and that such visits carry a higher cost.

Euthanasia fees

The practice describes its pricing as affordable, straightforward and transparent. The at-home euthanasia service is listed at £350 for a cat, dog or other small pet of any size. That fee covers the pre-visit telephone call or messaging, the visit itself, sedation to induce a deep sleep and the euthanasia procedure. Visits outside normal hours, when available, are priced at £450.

Cremation options

For owners who want their pet's ashes returned, Gentle Goodbye Vets works with Companions Haven Pet Crematorium in Pucklechurch to provide individual cremation. The vet personally returns the ashes to the home, usually within one week. The published prices are £180 for a cat, £200 for a small dog under 10kg, £240 for a medium dog under 25kg, £265 for a large dog under 40kg and £300 for an extra large dog under 55kg. These include a scatter box, with other caskets and urns available on request.

Alternatively, a communal cremation can be chosen, in which the ashes are scattered in the memorial garden at Companions Haven in Pucklechurch. This option is stated to cost half the price of a private cremation.

Professional background

Gareth is described as a Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Vet, in addition to his years of clinical experience. The practice explains that witnessing the importance of pets passing away peacefully in their favourite place, without the stress of a veterinary visit, motivated the creation of this home service.