Frequently Asked Questions

When are appointments available?

Appointments are available weekdays between 9 and 5.

What is your availability?

My availability depends on the number of prior bookings for other pets so it is generally best to book a few days in advance.

How do I book an appointment?

To request an appointment please go to the contact page and fill in the contact form.

When can I expect to hear from you?

During the workday I am usually already busy helping other pets but I will email you during a break or at the end of the day to learn about your wishes with respect to day and time, and to arrange a time for a phone call. A 15 minute telephone consultation is included at no additional fee as part of the intake process when booking an appointment for Veterinary Aid-in-Dying.

What is the cost of your service?

There is one fee for veterinary aid-in dying anywhere within a 30 minute drive of Kingston, from Napanee to Gananoque and north to Sydenham/Inverary/Battersea. The fee is $495 + HST. Outside of this travel zone, there is a travel fee calculated at $240/hr.

Are you able to help with after-care?

If you wish for my help with after-care, I can come prepared to take your pet with me when I go and  make all arrangements for cremation. The fee will depend on your pet’s body weight and whether or not you wish to have their ashes returned to you. For large dogs I will require some help from you to lift them onto a stretcher and move them from your home to my car.

If you would like your pet’s ashes returned we will request a private cremation with your pet’s ashes returned in an urn of your choice. You can view all available urns at www.gatewaypetmemorial.com. The first six urns are considered standard urns and are included in the cost of a private cremation. More elaborate urns and various memorial products like paw prints and jewelry are available for an additional fee.

If you are not wanting your pet’s ashes returned but are looking for a dignified way to care for your pet’s body you can request a communal cremation. Your pet will be cremated along with other pets and their mingled ashes will be interred on a site at the crematory.

Do you ever make same day appointments?

I book my appointments in advance and am usually booked at least a couple of days in advance. I also need time to gather information, answer questions and concerns, and discuss a plan to meet your pet’s individual needs if I am to do my best for you and your pet. For these reasons, I rarely book same day appointments. The exception would be if I am already familiar with the pet and the circumstances and you are already familiar with the service that I offer.

Do you ever make emergency appointments for existing clients?

I can not promise to be available if your pet’s condition suddenly changes and they are in need of immediate assistance however, for clients who have already had a detailed discussion with me about their pet’s situation (either through an end-of-life consultation or as part of pre-booking an appointment for Veterinary aid-in-dying) if you reach out to me by email (and I see it in time) I will let you know if there is any way I can help. There would be an out-of-hours emergency fee of $350 + HST for this service.

Do you offer help with end-of-life decision-making?

I offer 1-hour telephone consultations to discuss your concerns and priorities for your pet and help you gain clarity on your options. Keeping your pet comfortable and happy and safe may be possible for the time being and if so, we want to support them to the best of our ability. However, it is important to recognise that things can change unexpectedly so we need to anticipate change and be prepared to make good decisions. It is important to pay attention to what your pet is telling you about their experience of their life. Do they still want more time, or are the burdens of being ill taking up too much room in their life and they no longer value their time here. We want to recognise when choosing aid-in-dying is the greater kindness.

My fee for a 1-hour telephone consult is $250 + HST. This consultation offers the added benefit that if things change suddenly, I will be in a better position to advise you or fit you in for the next available appointment.