End-of-Life Care
Ensuring your pet’s journey is as stress-free and peaceful as possible.
In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Richmond, VA
Compassionate End-Of-Life Veterinary Hospice Care
Our pets love us unconditionally, bring laughter and joy into our lives, and become part of our families. Our final gift to them is to provide a stress-free, peaceful good-bye, all within the comfort of your own home. My purpose and sincerest intent is to provide mobile in-home pet euthanasia service, support, and guidance for you, your family, and your pet.
– Kaitlyn Hemsley, DVM
Schedule an Appointment
Speak Directly with the Vet
Quality-of-Life Tele-Advice
Euthanasia Consent Form
Peaceful, stress-free passing surrounded by family and friends.
Why choose in-home euthanasia?
- Allows friends and family to be present
- Eliminates the need to transport your pet, which can be difficult and/or distressful
- Grieving in private
- Enables you to set an atmosphere (candles, music, pictures, etc.) that is right for you and your family
- Ability to choose location (favorite bed, outdoors, etc)
- Home burial convenience
- Privacy afterwards
- Other pets can be present, if desired
Saying goodbye is a difficult decision and one that doesn’t have to be made alone.
Saying Goodbye: How do I know when it’s time?
You may be preparing for the future or you may know that it’s time to say good-bye to your beloved pet. My purpose and sole reason for starting House Call Vet RVA is to provide in-home, private end-of-life care in the comfort of your own home.
- Assessing Your Pet’s Quality of Life
- How to Tell if Your Cat is in Pain
- How to Tell if Your Dog is in Pain
- How Will I Know? Assessing Quality of Life and Making Difficult Decisions for your Pet
- Fetch-A-Cure’s Pet Cancer Library
- Virtual quality of life assessments
- In-home quality of life assessments
- Speak with a veterinarian now (prompts a phone call)
What to Expect with At-Home Euthanasia
The Appointment
Saying goodbye is difficult decision and one that doesn’t have to be made alone.
- Dr. Hemsley will explain the entire procedure upon arrival.
- If you have any questions, please ask, Dr. Hemsley is there to provide a peaceful passing for your pet as well as guidance for you and your family.
- You, your family & pet will dictate the pace of the appointment.
- The process itself is very peaceful.
- Dr. Hemsley will administer a sedative/pain medication. After the injection is administered, your pet will become fully relaxed usually within 5-10 minutes.
- Once your pet is relaxed, Dr. Hemsley will administer the euthanasia medication intravenously. This provides for a humane, painless, and peaceful passing.
- Dr. Hemsley will let you know once your pet has passed.
- You may spend as much or as little time with them and please let Dr. Hemsley know if you’d prefer privacy or company.
- Many of our clients that want Dr. Hemsley to stay and provide support after will ask questions and/or share stories. This is encouraged.
- The last step will depend on your choice of aftercare. Dr. Hemsley will transport your pet from your home for you if cremation services are desired.
Aftercare Services
Pet Cremation Services
- Your pet will be transported your pet to the crematorium for you.
- Cremation fees are in addition to the in-home euthanasia fee & travel fee.
- Dr. Hemsley does not arrive with an assistant. Therefore, if your pet weighs more than 50 pounds, she may ask for assistance moving your pet.
- In the event additional assistance is needed moving your pet, outside your availability, please let us when scheduling your appointment.
- Please see the pricing chart at the bottom of this page for fees.
TeleAdvice Consultation
Schedule a one-on-one virtual visit directly with Dr. Hemsley to discuss your pet’s quality of life.
Seeing your beloved companion struggling because of age or illness is heartbreaking. Your pet may be having some good days and bad days. Understanding what they are experiencing and what to expect from certain conditions can be difficult. We are here to help guide you through this difficult time. A virtual visit (via Zoom) between you and Dr. Hemsley will provide you the opportunity to ask questions about your pet’s condition, objectively determine their quality of life, discuss previous diagnoses & testing. Dr. Hemsley will help guide you through developing a palliative care and/or end-of-life plan.
*Please note, due to state law, there are limitations to what Dr. Hemsley can provide. An in-home consultation may be recommended to better assist you and your pet. Dr. Hemsley cannot prescribe or re-new any medications without performing a physical exam.
Pricing & Services
Home Euthanasia $400 within our service area (including travel)
Includes doctor travel fee, sedation, peaceful euthanasia, one paw impression keepsake item and transportation of your loved one if aftercare services are desired. Pet loss resources and notification to your primary veterinarian are also included.
Additional Fees May Apply To:
- Fit-in/same day, if available
- Urgent appointment requests, (arrival time of less than 2 hours), if possible
- Pets over 99 pounds
- After hours, weekend appointments, holiday or extended travel
- Custom Urns
Private Cremation
Your pet will be cremated privately and their ashes will be returned to you within 1-2 weeks.
Pets up to 49 pounds: $375
Pets 50-99 pounds: $405
Pets 100-124 pounds: $475
Pets over 124 pounds: Call for pricing
Communal Cremation
This option is if you’d like your pet’s remains cremated and do not wish to have their ashes returned.
Pets up to 49 pounds: $200
Pets 50-99 pounds: $235
Pets 100-124 pounds: $275
Pets over 124 pounds: Call for pricing
Hospice & Palliative Care
Pet Hospice & Palliative Care is for patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal disease, have an unknown, debilitating disease, or when a potentially curative treatment has failed. The pet’s quality of life & pain management, as well as client’s goals and beliefs are discussed. Dr. Hemsley will review your pet’s medical records and perform an examination to advise a treatment care plan best suited for your pet and family. Some pets may benefit from alternative modalities such as acupuncture, please let us know if you are interested in incorporating this into your pet’s care plan by filling out our Hospice & Palliative Care Form.
Home Euthanasia $400 within our service area (including travel)
Includes doctor travel fee, sedation, peaceful euthanasia, one paw impression keepsake item and transportation of your loved one if aftercare services are desired. Pet loss resources and notification to your primary veterinarian are also included.
Additional Fees May Apply To:
- Fit-in/same day, if available
- Urgent appointment requests, (arrival time of less than 2 hours), if possible
- Pets over 99 pounds
- After hours, holiday or extended travel
- Custom Urns
Private Cremation
Your pet will be cremated privately and their ashes will be returned to you within 1-2 weeks.
Pets up to 49 pounds: $375
Pets 50-99 pounds: $405
Pets 100-124 pounds: $475
Pets over 124 pounds: Call for pricing
Communal Cremation
This option is if you’d like your pet’s remains cremated and do not wish to have their ashes returned.
Pets up to 49 pounds: $200
Pets 50-99 pounds: $235
Pets 100-124 pounds: $275
Pets over 124 pounds: Call for Quote
Hospice & Palliative Care
Pet Hospice & Palliative Care is for patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal disease, have an unknown, debilitating disease, or when a potentially curative treatment has failed. The pet’s quality of life & pain management, as well as client’s goals and beliefs are discussed. Dr. Hemsley will review your pet’s medical records and perform an examination to advise a treatment care plan best suited for your pet and family. Some pets may benefit from alternative modalities such as acupuncture, please let us know if you are interested in incorporating this into your pet’s care plan by filling out our Hospice & Palliative Care Form.
We also offer virtual Quality-of-Life Assessments: $150/45 minutes