FAQ | GWVH

Frequently Asked Questions

When are you available for in-home appointments?

In-home appointments are routinely scheduled M-Th, from 9 am to 5 pm, and from 9 am - 4 pm on Fridays.

Occasionally, one of our doctors may be available for evening or weekend appointments ($) although these are not routinely available.

If your pet requires care outside of these hours or on an urgent basis, we encourage you to contact your regular veterinarian or one of our local emergency hospitals.

Do you provide emergency care?

Although we occasionally have same-day appointments available, we do not operate as an emergency service, and cannot guarantee same-day appointments.

What happens if my pet has an emergency?

Making an end-of-life plan shares many similarities with a birth plan. Both can be perfectly planned, and then something happens that forces us to change that plan. If your pet has an urgent health matter you are welcome to call us to see if we have an opening. However, in the case of a true emergency, or if you are unable to reach us, you should proceed to your regular veterinary practice or your local veterinary emergency hospital.

What forms of payment are accepted?

Payment can be made via e-transfer or by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, or American Express). while we encourage these contactless methods of payment, we will also accept payment in cash upon the doctor's arrival for an in-home appointment.

I think it's time for my pet to be euthanized, but I'm not sure. Can you help offer guidance?

If you or any member of your family is unsure if it is time to consider euthanasia, scheduling a consultation should be your first step. We will take the time to review not only your pet's medical condition but also your fears and concerns to help you recognize when a decision to euthanize is right for you and your pet.

What happens to my pet after euthanasia? Do you arrange cremation?

We provide cremation services through Gateway Pet Memorial. Gateway provides respectful and compassionate services including both communal cremation (no ashes returned) or private cremation with return of your pet's ashes in an urn of your choice. Following euthanasia, we will provide an opportunity to collect a hair clipping and/or ink nose or paw prints. We also have Gateway create a clay paw print of your pet at no additional charge.

For families who wish to make your own aftercare arrangments (private burial or use of a crematorium that works directly with pet families), your pet can be left with you to make your own arrangements.

Otherwise, your pet will be carried (with your help, if necessary) to our vehicle for transportation back to the doctor's home, where they will then be transferred to the care of Gateway Pet Memorial for transportation to the crematorium.

How far in advance should an appointment be scheduled?

We understand how difficult it can be to schedule this type of visit. Many times, pet families will naturally want to wait to contact us until they know with certainty that it's time. However, when this happens we can't always schedule a visit the same day and this can result in the pet suffering, or the family having to take their pet to the hospital.

To avoid this unfortunate situation, we encourage families to plan 2-3 business days in advance. In some cases, we may have an appointment available the same day or next day and recommend that you call us at 289-987-7297 to inquire about any short-notice availability.

What can we do before the appointment to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible?

Being prepared for your appointment will help you to have the best experience possible. We will always attempt to obtain your pet's medical history from your regular veterinarian, but there are some things you can do to help.

For consultations, have a list of questions and current medications/supplements prepared, and have some paper available to jot down notes.

For in-home euthanasia, be sure that there is a spot for the doctor to park in the driveway. Your pet should continue to receive necessary pain medication up until their appointment, but can also have favourite treats. If they are able, we also suggest that they be provided with a 'bathroom break' prior to the doctor arriving, so that they can be as comfortable as possible.

If your pet is normally anxious when new people visit, we encourage you to discuss this with your regular veterinarian or one of our staff as oral medication can often be prescribed to help them be more relaxed at the time of their appointment.

Other items to have on hand include tissues, additional treats, and any items that you would like them to travel with.

Once the doctor arrives, we recommend that you turn the ringer down on phones to avoid unnecessary interruptions.

How can we be sure that it is our pet's ashes that are returned with a private cremation?

Gateway Pet Memorial is Canada's first accredited pet aftercare provider and has been serving veterinary practices in the area for over 20 years. We have met the staff, toured the facilities, and entrusted Gateway with the care of our own pets.

Are in-home visits covered by my pet insurance?

Many insurance companies will cover in-home care when required, but as coverage will vary between companies and the type of policy, you may wish to contact your insurance company directly to inquire about your policy specifics.