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Compassionate In-Home Pet Euthanasia

Dr. JP Shepherd, home euthanasia veterinarian, provides compassionate, peaceful, in-home pet euthanasia and cremation services for families throughout Florida's Treasure Coast and The Palm Beaches.

 

Our mobile veterinary, house call pet euthanasia service allows your family to be with your beloved dog or cat during their final moments in your own home, where they are most comfortable.

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We know what a difficult decision you are contemplating and we are available to help in any way that we can.   If you are thinking about putting your dog or cat to sleep at home, please call or text 772-272-1800 to speak directly with Dr. Shepherd about your pet.

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How to Schedule a Mobile Veterinarian In-Home Euthanasia Appointment

Please call or text 772-272-1800 to schedule a mobile veterinarian, in-home euthanasia appointment.

Available Appointment Days and Times

Appointments for mobile veterinary, at-home pet euthanasia services are available 7 days a week. 

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  • Monday - Friday: 8am - 7pm

  • Saturday - Sunday: 8am - 7pm

    • No additional charge for weekends

    • After-hours appointments can be accommodated in some cases (additional fee may apply)

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Please call or text 772-272-1800 at any time to schedule, or to speak directly with Dr. Shepherd about your pet.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

About Bridges Veterinary Care and Dr. Shepherd

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My name is Dr. JP Shepherd.  I established Bridges Veterinary Care so that families could spend those precious final moments with their beloved cat or dog in the familiar surroundings of their own home, where their pet is most comfortable and at ease.  I want every pet to be able to pass peacefully, free of stress and anxiety.

I have previously worked as both an emergency and critical care veterinarian (Pet Emergency of Martin County, Stuart, FL) and as a general practice, family veterinarian (Palm City Animal Medical Center, Palm City, FL) here on Florida's Treasure Coast, however, helping families care for their beloved pets in their own homes is what is truly rewarding to me.​​

Low Stress Handling Certified Veterinarian Certification Seal for Mobile Veterinarian Home Euthanasia Veterinarian

​​I am Low Stress Handling® Certified, which means I have completed extensive additional training in how to minimize stress and fear when working with pets.  It is so important to me that every animal be treated with sincere, gentle kindness and respect to maintain the love and bond that we share with them.

Lap of Love CAETA Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian Certification Seal for Mobile Veterinarian Home Euthanasia Veterinarian

I am also a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian (CPEV), which is an advanced certification offered through the education division of Lap of Love.  Being a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian means I have completed important additional training in how to help a family's beloved pet pass peacefully, no matter their condition, as well as how best to support each pet's family - before, during, and after euthanasia.​

​As a home euthanasia veterinarian, I am passionate about providing kind, compassionate support to families as they navigate the loss of a pet.  In-home pet euthanasia not only allows a family's dog, cat or other beloved pet to remain in their own home as they pass, it also allows a pet's family to experience and process their grief and emotions in a safe, comfortable space.

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I have been very fortunate to have been trusted by countless families throughout Florida's Treasure Coast and The Palm Beaches to provide mobile veterinary care for their special dog or cat during some of the hardest times of their lives, and I have been honored to have been there for them during their pets' final moments. 

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I would be honored to help you and your family during your difficult time.  If I can answer any questions or can help in any way as you contemplate putting your dog, cat or other beloved pet to sleep at home, please feel free to call or text me at 772-272-1800 at any time.

Services, Fees, Cancellations & Payment

Our Services: In-Home Pet Euthanasia & Cremation

Our in-home pet euthanasia and cremation service includes:

  • Phone consultation regarding your pet's condition and quality of life

  • Answer of any questions or concerns you may have regarding your pet's condition or the in-home euthanasia process

  • Travel to your home at a time that is convenient for your family

  • Administration of pre-euthanasia sedation that is tailored to your pet

  • Peaceful, compassionate euthanasia of your pet

  • A clipping of your pet's fur, preserved in a small, memorial glass jar

  • A clay impression or wood engraved impression of your pet's paw

  • Preparation of your pet's body for cremation and transport of your pet's body to our crematory partner

  • Cremation of your pet's body by our crematory partner

  • Return of your pet's cremated remains back to your home in your choice of decorative, wooden urn

  • Your pet's name engraved on their urn​​​

Our Fees: In-Home Pet Euthanasia & Cremation

Our mobile veterinary, in-home pet euthanasia and cremation service fees are listed below.  We will always communicate the fee with you before your appointment.


In-home pet euthanasia - $430

  • This selection is for in-home pet euthanasia services only

    • You retain your pet's body after euthanasia for private burial or for other after-care services, as arranged by your family

  • This selection includes the following memorial keepsakes:

    • A clipping of your pet's fur preserved in a small, memorial glass jar

    • A clay paw print impression of your pet's paw


In-home pet euthanasia with communal cremation - $620

  • This selection includes in-home euthanasia and communal cremation of your pet's body

    • Communal cremation is elected when a family does not wish to have their pet's cremated remains returned

      • Communally cremated remains are scattered respectfully in the ocean by our crematory partner

  • This selection includes the following memorial keepsakes:

    • A clipping of your pet's fur preserved in a small, memorial glass jar​

    • A clay paw print impression of your pet's paw


In-home pet euthanasia with private cremation - $765

  • This selection includes in-home euthanasia and private cremation of your pet's body

    • Your pet is cremated individually

    • Their cremated remains are returned to you in a decorative, wooden urn

  • This selection includes the following memorial keepsakes:

    • A clipping of your pet's fur preserved in a small, memorial glass jar

    • Your pet's name and paw print engraved on a wood plaque

    • A decorative, wooden urn containing your pet's cremated remains

      • Choice of one of three urns (see photo)​

    • Your pet's name engraved on their urn​​​

Choice of urns with your pet's name engraved on them, glass vial for your pet's fur clipping, and your pet's paw print and name engraved on a wood plaque.

Pet cremation services only (for pets that have already passed at home)

  • This selection is for pets that have already passed at home (euthanasia not required)

  • This service includes travel to your home, preparation of your pet's body, transport of your pet's body to our crematory partner, memorial keepsakes (depending on your cremation selection), and return of your pet's cremated remains back to your home (when private cremation is selected)​

    • Communal pet cremation only (euthanasia not required) - $360​​

      • Includes removal of your pet's body from your home, clay paw print, fur clipping​

      • Remains respectfully scattered in the ocean by our crematory partner

    • Private pet cremation only (euthanasia not required) - $520​

      • Includes removal of your pet's body from your home

      • Includes return of your pet's remains to your home, name engraved urn, engraved paw print, fur clipping


Additional fees (special circumstances)
In rare circumstances, there may be an additional fee associated with your appointment.  When required, these fees are in addition to our standard pet euthanasia and cremation service fees listed above.  We will always let you know if an additional fee applies before your appointment.​​

  • Cremation service partner's direct transport of your pet's body from your home due to their large size

    • May be required for pets over 120 pounds​

      • Fee based on the day & time of your appointment

  • Travel to some areas

    • Okeechobee and some parts of Indian River and Palm Beach County - $125​

  • After-hours appointments

    • 7pm-9pm - $200

    • 9pm-6am - $400

    • 6am-8am - $200

  • Cancelled or rescheduled appointments with less than one hours notice - $200

  • In-home consultation prior to the day of euthanasia - $295

    • Required for behavioral euthanasia services so that pre-visit medications can legally be dispensed

  • Additional keepsakes or memorial items - fee based on selection(s)

Cancellations

We completely understand that your pet's condition may change and that you may need to reschedule or cancel an appointment.  This isn't a problem at all, but we do ask that you let us know as soon as possible if you need to reschedule or cancel so that we can make that time available to another family in need. 

To reschedule or cancel an appointment, simply call or text us at 772-272-1800.   There is no charge to reschedule or cancel an appointment when at least one hours notice is given.  For appointments cancelled or rescheduled with less than one hours notice, there is a $200 fee as the doctor is already en-route to your home.

Payment Options

Payment for services can be made at the time of your appointment, or prior to your appointment if you prefer.  Payment can be made with check, cash, Zelle® or credit card (there is a small fee for credit card payments to cover the cost of processing.) 

How Do I Know If It's Time to Put My Pet to Sleep?

At Bridges Veterinary Care we believe that you know your pet best.  In most cases, if you have been contemplating the difficult decision of putting a beloved dog or cat to sleep, and treatment changes you have made with your family veterinarian have not helped to improve your pet's quality of life, then mobile veterinary, in-home euthanasia may be the right decision for your beloved pet. 

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Some of the things to think about as you consider whether or not it is time to put a pet to sleep include:

  • Your pet is not eating or drinking well, and nausea medications and appetite stimulants aren't really helping

  • Your pet is not able to make it outside or to a potty pad to use the bathroom anymore

  • Your pet can't get around very well, and pain medications or supportive devices aren't really helping

  • Your pet is not as interested in spending time with you anymore

  • Your pet doesn't enjoy things they used to, such as treats, taking walks, playing, or lying next to you

  • Your pet is no longer bothered by things that used to bother them (e.g. barking at strangers, etc.)

  • Your pet doesn't like to be pet or touched as much as they used to

  • Your pet is spending time in places they normally wouldn't, such as rooms they wouldn't normally use, closets, or they are spending more time outside by themselves

  • Your pet can't get up, or it is very difficult for them to get up

  • Your pet can't walk, or it is very difficult for them to walk

  • Your pet falls over when trying to stand or when trying to urinate or defecate

  • Your pet has difficulty breathing

  • Your pet does not have a lot of energy any more

  • Your pet no longer greets you at the door when you come home

  • Your pet has congestive heart failure and medications are no longer helping

  • Your pet has kidney disease and treatments are no longer helping

  • Your pet has progressive dementia (also called cognitive decline), and medications or lifestyle adjustments are no longer helping​

  • Your pet has aggression issues that have been unable to be resolved with professional assistance or your pet is a danger to people or other animals

  • Your pet has a debilitating disease that can no longer be managed or the treatments are no longer effective

  • Your pet is having more bad days than good days, or more bad hours than good hours

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We have also written a more detailed article about assessing a pet's quality of life, that we hope is helpful as you contemplate putting your beloved dog or cat to sleep.

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The decision to euthanize a pet is a selfless one, made out of love, so that they don't suffer unnecessarily.  We are available to listen to your concerns and answer any questions you might have about putting your beloved dog or cat to sleep at home.  We will always help provide needed support in your decision making process about putting your pet to sleep.  Please feel free to call or text us at 772-272-1800 to discuss how your pet is doing so that we can help you through this difficult time.

Areas We Serve

Dr. JP Shepherd, home euthanasia veterinarian, provides house call, mobile veterinary pet euthanasia and pet cremation services for your family's dog, cat or other beloved pet throughout Florida's Treasure Coast and The Palm Beaches, including all of Martin County, St. Lucie County, and Indian River County, the northern portion of Palm Beach County (from Jupiter to Lake Worth Beach), and the southern portion of Okeechobee County.

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  • Our service area for mobile veterinary, in-home pet euthanasia and cremation in Florida extends from Sebastian in the North to Lake Worth Beach in the South.

If you need mobile veterinary, in-home pet euthanasia and cremation services outside of our normal service area, please call or text us at 772-272-1800 to see if we can help.

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