The House Vet

The House Vet: at-home veterinary euthanasia in South Devon

The House Vet is a British veterinary service specialising in at-home euthanasia for dogs and cats, as well as guidance on pets' end-of-life care. Its lead, Dr Karen Eggleton, a veterinarian qualified in 1995, has 30 years of clinical practice, of which 17 have focused on at-home euthanasia and five as a professional dedicated exclusively to this activity. The team as a whole has more than 60 years of professional experience.

The practice presents itself as one of the few veterinarians in the United Kingdom certified in hospice and palliative care, and offers coverage in Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay, Newton Abbot and South Devon, as well as advice to families in other locations.

Training and credentials of the lead veterinarian

Karen Eggleton holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc), is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS), with certification in hospice and veterinary palliative care (CHPV) and training in veterinary homeopathy (LFHom Vet). In 2021 she obtained the Veterinary Certificate in hospice and palliative care (CHPV) through the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC).

She is a graduate of the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA), training she has completed twice as part of her end-of-life studies, and she keeps up with research in this field. The practice also includes Sian Brown, a registered veterinary nurse with more than 30 years of experience, and the team has undertaken additional training and is accredited by Compassion Understood.

At-home euthanasia and palliative care services

The main service consists of at-home euthanasia for dogs and cats, with the aim of offering a calm and dignified transition. The veterinarian uses combined sedation and anaesthesia to ensure the animal's comfort. She handles both referrals from the client's regular veterinary practice and direct requests from families concerned about their pet's quality of life.

Before any appointment, the professional holds a prior conversation to review the animal's quality of life and comfort level, and to ensure that the decision is fully informed and that all treatment options have been considered. If the pet is under primary veterinary care, she can contact the responsible veterinarian. The final decision always rests with the family, although the veterinarian reserves the right to decline to perform the procedure if she considers it inappropriate or the decision insufficiently grounded.

The practice does not offer online booking for euthanasia, precisely to encourage that prior conversation. In addition to euthanasia, it offers remote quality-of-life consultations and at-home veterinary palliative care, and guidance on end-of-life decisions.

Coverage areas and travel supplements

The service is provided within a 10-mile (about 16-kilometre) radius from Newton Abbot, with the possibility of travelling further depending on availability. For travel outside that radius, zone supplements apply:

• Zone 1: £60 supplement. Includes Exeter, Exmouth, South Brent, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, Dartmouth and South Dartmoor (within Dartmoor National Park, south of the B3212).
• Zone 2: £80 supplement. Includes Salcombe, Plympton, Plymstock and Sidmouth.
• Zone 3: £100 supplement. Includes Plymouth and Saltash.
• Zone 4: £120 supplement. Includes Tavistock, Okehampton and North Dartmoor (within Dartmoor National Park, north of the B3212).

The practice can travel further, to Cornwall or North Devon, upon request, with a supplement calculated according to mileage, travel time and ease of route.

Availability and appointment scheduling

At-home euthanasia appointments are offered Monday to Thursday, with occasional afternoon appointments possible Monday to Wednesday depending on location, subject to a surcharge. Friday appointments require a minimum of 24 hours' notice, as that day is prioritised for remote quality-of-life consultations and at-home palliative care. The professional visits two families a day, rarely three, and sometimes travels further, so it is not always possible to meet immediate needs; in an emergency, she recommends going to the primary care veterinarian.

The schedule may be altered by unforeseen events. At the time of analysis, the site indicated that there would be no appointments on Friday 2 October due to essential vehicle repairs, a temporary unavailability that could extend until Monday 5 October.

Approach and end-of-life support

The practice stresses the importance of planning the farewell at the right time, rather than waiting for a crisis, to avoid unnecessary suffering. It offers resources on quality-of-life assessment and supports families during anticipatory and subsequent grief, with the aim of honouring the bond between people and their animals. The service also includes guidance on aftercare and memorialisation, as well as support in grieving the loss of a pet.

Location and contact

Phone: 01626 353350 · Email: karen@thehousevet.co.uk · Hours: At-home euthanasia appointments: Monday to Thursday. Occasional afternoon appointments possible Monday to Wednesday, depending on location and with a surcharge. Friday appointments: only with a minimum of 24 hours' notice, as that day is dedicated to remote quality-of-life consultations and at-home palliative care.