The right time to have your dog or cat put to sleep is typically when their quality of life has declined so much that they are experiencing more pain, discomfort, or distress than enjoyment, and their condition cannot be improved. Each situation is unique, but it is important to remember that animals live in the “here and now,” and sometimes the kindest choice we can make is to gently ease their suffering when comfort and quality of life can no longer be restored.  As a loving pet owner, we know this is the hardest decision you’ll make, so when it comes to end-of-life decisions, it’s important that both you and your pet are well cared for.

To support you in reaching the right decision, it can be useful to ask yourself some questions to determine your pets’ quality of life. You might ask yourself:

• Are they experiencing ongoing pain that can no longer be managed?
• Have they stopped eating or drinking?
• Are they struggling with mobility, severe weakness or old age dementia?
• Have they lost interest in interaction, play, or daily routines?
• Are there more bad days than good days?

These questions help you focus on how well your pet is coping and keep their wellbeing at the centre of your decisions.

A quality of life checklist can also be helpful when making this decision. The guidance produced by the PDSA pet charity includes useful questions to help you assess your pet’s comfort and wellbeing.

If your pet is suffering, cannot recover, and no longer enjoys life, choosing to put them to sleep is often the kindest and most compassionate decision you can make. Towards the end of their life, it can be kinder to choose a “compassionate day” — a moment when your pet can pass peacefully, surrounded by care, rather than facing distress or an unexpected emergency.

You don't have to go through this alone

A significant part of our role is providing reassurance to families about their decisions. When you reach out to discuss this with us, we will guide you through your options with care and honesty. Occasionally, one of our vets is able to offer advice and medication that can give families additional days, weeks, or sometimes months with their pets. However, if your companion needs help sooner, or you require a same-day visit, our vets will always try their best to respond.

Last updated: May 2026

On the day of your visit, our vet, our vet, will contact you to let you know they are on their way. The vet will arrive in a quiet , electric van which is branded with our logo. They will be wearing branded vet scrubs so you know you are welcoming the right person into your home.

On arrival, they will:

• Introduce themselves calmly and respectfully.
• Take time to gently settle your pet.
• Talk through the process before anything begins.
• Answer any questions you may have.

Everything is carried out with care, allowing you to move at a pace that feels right for you.

The farewell process

When you feel ready, the process takes place in two calm and carefully guided stages:

1. Gentle sedation

Your pet is first given a sedative to help them relax and drift into a deep, peaceful sleep. This is given as a small injection. Occasionally, some pets briefly notice the injection, much like a quick pinch, but this is usually distracted using treats and fuss.

Typically, most pets will fall asleep within 2–10 minutes, although this may be a little shorter or longer depending on their individual biology, age, and overall condition at the time. As it takes effect, you may notice your pet becoming drowsy, their breathing slowing, and their body relaxing. Some pets may seem slightly unsteady as they settle. These are normal effects of sedation.

During this time, you can choose what feels right for you:

• Spending some quiet time alone together while our vet steps away.
• Have our vet remain nearby for support.

There is no right or wrong - you are encouraged to use this time in whatever way feels most meaningful for your goodbye.

2. Final anaesthetic

Our vet will check-in with you and ensure your pet is completely asleep and unaware before continuing.

With your consent, a final anaesthetic is then administered. This works quickly and painlessly. Your pet will pass away peacefully, without any awareness or distress.

Last updated: August 2026

No — the euthanasia process is designed to be gentle and pain-free. The word euthanasia comes from Greek, meaning “a good death.” Our vets have supported thousands of animals using a carefully developed veterinary approach that is focused on comfort, dignity, and freedom from distress.

The sedative used before euthanasia works in a very similar way to the medications used to prepare pets for general anaesthesia during surgery. It acts on the brain and central nervous system, helping to reduce anxiety, relax the body, and gradually bring your pet into an unaware state. Depending on their breed and sensitivity, some pets may briefly notice the sedative being given, similar to a quick pinch but the sensation passes very quickly. Cats usually notice more than dogs but many pets do not notice.

Once the sedative has fully taken effect, many pets reach a level of unconsciousness comparable to being under a general anaesthetic for minor surgery. At this point, the brain is no longer processing awareness or pain in a meaningful way.

The final anaesthetic is only given once your pet is deeply asleep and unaware.

Last updated: August 2026

We know how important it is to have support that feels close, familiar, and easy to reach when you need it most. We currently provide home visits in and around:
Sheffield
Chesterfield
Barnsley
Rotherham
Wakefield
Doncaster
If you’re based in these areas, we can usually help. If you’re a little further outside of our coverage we may not be able to attend—but we’re happy to point you toward another mobile vet who may be closer to you.
If you are based within these areas, we can usually attend promptly. If you are slightly outside our coverage or we do not have availability, we may not always be able to reach you, but we will try to guide you towards a trusted mobile vet who may be closer.

Last updated: August 2026

Every family is different, and we want you to feel comfortable contacting us in whatever way suits you best. You can email, WhatsApp, text or call us. There’s no formal process and even a short message is absolutely fine.

When you get in touch, we can discussyour pet’s wellbeing and quality of life. If you need a callback from one of our vets, we can usually arrange that within a couple of hours. There’s no pressure or expectation—just a calm conversation to help you feel supported in making the decision that’s right for you and your pet.

If you decide to arrange a visit, we’ll simply ask for a few details such as your pet’s name, your address, and a time that works for you. We’ll keep everything as straightforward and unhurried as possible so you can focus on your pet, and we'll take care of the rest.

Last updated: August 2026

After your pet has passed, our vets will gently confirm that they are at peace.

Most families then choose for our vets to take their pet for cremation. This can be a group cremation, where ashes are respectfully scattered at the crematorium, or an individual cremation, where your pet is cremated on their own and you are reunited with their ashes.

You are also welcome to make your own aftercare arrangements if you prefer.

If you would like keepsakes such as a paw print or fur clippings, these need to be requested before your pet goes for cremation, as they can only be created at that stage. If you are unsure about keepsakes at the time, it is important to let our vet know as soon as possible afterwards so nothing is missed.

Last updated: August 2026

We understand that this can be an emotional time, and the last thing we want is for payment to feel complicated or stressful.

Most families prefer to arrange payment in advance, as it allows everything on the day to feel calm and focused entirely on your pet and saying goodbye.

We prefer payment by bank transfer where possible, but we also accept card payments or cash if that is easier for you.

Bank details will be provided on request or in your confirmation message when we have booked a visit.

If you are unable to use bank transfer, you can also pay by card or cash when our vet arrives. The card machine does require a good mobile signal, so this can occasionally be affected in some locations.

Above all, we simply want this part to feel easy and settled, so that when I arrive, your time can be fully focused on your pet.

Payment Plans

We do not offer payment plans. However, if you would like to plan ahead, you are very welcome to make instalments in advance of your appointment and we will keep a record of your payments.

For families who may need additional support, we also work with a Pet Gifting programme which contributes £150 towards the cost of the visit when a pet is donated after passing. If you would like to explore this option, more information can be found here Pet Gifting Donation

Last updated: August 2026

In most homes, other pets can be present during or around the time of euthanasia, and many families find this helps them understand what has happened and come to terms with the loss more gently. Pets often form strong bonds with one another and may already be aware that their companion is unwell, so being allowed to stay nearby can give them a sense of closure rather than confusion or searching afterwards.

Some pets will want to remain close, lying beside their companion or observing quietly, while others may prefer to stay at a distance or be in a separate room, and both responses are completely normal. If a pet becomes unsettled, anxious, or overly focused on the situation, it is also perfectly appropriate to move them away and allow them to return afterwards to say goodbye in their own way. In most cases, even a brief moment of awareness—seeing, sniffing, or simply being in the same space after death—can be enough for them to understand and begin to process the change.

The only time we would advise against another pet being there is if their behaviour is taking away from your experience of a calm and peaceful goodbye.

Read our blog about other pets being present during at-home euthanasia

Last updated: August 2026

Pets at Rest Vets provide compassionate home euthanasia services for families who want their pets to pass peacefully in familiar surroundings.
Your visit will be personally carried out by one of our experienced and compassionate senior vets who specialise in end-of-life care. They will take time with each family, explaining every step clearly, and ensuring the experience is calm, respectful, and unhurried. If you choose to have a cremation, our vets bring soft, clean blankets to wrap your pet in before laying them carefully into comfortable bedding.

The focus of Pets at Rest Vets is to support families through one of the hardest moments of pet ownership with dignity, clarity, and care—making sure pets are surrounded by love in their final moments at home.

Last updated: August 2026