End-of-Life Care for Dogs and Cats in Victoria
End-of-life care for a dog or cat in Victoria is the appointment nobody books early and everybody remembers. Most owners arrive already knowing, and what they want is not persuading. What they want is time, a quiet room, and someone who will not rush them through it. Our clinic has a comfort room with a private exit, so a family can sit for as long as they need and then leave without walking back out through a waiting room full of puppies.
A Comfort Room with a Private Exit in Victoria
The room exists for a practical reason. A general exam room is a working space with a scale in it and a queue behind it, and it is the wrong place for this. Ours is quieter, and it opens onto a private exit so you are not walking back through reception afterwards. You can bring a blanket, a favourite toy, or a bed from home. You can bring the whole family or come alone. Children are welcome if that is what your family wants, and our team will follow your lead rather than steer you. There is no time limit on the room and no expectation that you will be quick about it, so take whatever time your family needs. If you would rather sit on the floor with your dog or cat than use a table, that is entirely fine.
What Happens During the Appointment
We will explain each step before it happens, and then we will stop talking. Your pet is settled comfortably, usually on their own blanket, and given a sedative first so they drift into a deep sleep in your arms. Once they are fully relaxed, the final injection is given. It is quick and it is not painful. You can hold your pet throughout, or step out at any point, and neither choice is the wrong one. Afterwards you have the room for as long as you want it. Nobody will knock.
What Is Veterinary End-of-Life Care?
Veterinary end-of-life care is the support given to a family and their pet in the final stage of that animal’s life. It covers the conversation about when the time is right, comfort in the appointment itself, and a quiet, unhurried setting for euthanasia. Many practices set aside a dedicated room so families are not seen in a general exam room.
Deciding When It Is Time
This is the part that keeps people awake. There is rarely a single clear signal, and most owners are looking for permission as much as information. Talk to us before you are certain. Our veterinarians will go through what you are seeing at home, honestly and without a sales pitch, and sometimes the answer is that there is still good time left and something can be adjusted. Dr. Vandeep Shergill founded this practice in 2017 and one thing the owners have always insisted on is that this conversation is never hurried. It can help to keep a simple note at home across a week or two, marking the good days and the difficult ones, because a written record often makes a pattern visible that day-to-day memory hides.
All veterinary services
In-home end-of-life care
Medical services for pets
Contact and clinic hours
Coming In as a Family
Ring us on (778) 265-4500 and tell reception what the appointment is for. We book these into quieter parts of the day where we can, and we will let you know what to expect before you arrive, including where to park and which door to come to, so that the practical details are settled and you can think about your dog or cat instead. If you would rather not come through the main entrance at all, say so when you ring and our team will arrange it. Some families want a few quiet minutes in the room before the appointment begins, and that can be arranged too.
Vic West Pet Hospital
526 Esquimalt Road, Victoria, BC V9A 3L4
(778) 265-4500
Hours: Monday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Tuesday to Friday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Sunday: Closed. Statutory holidays: Closed. Daily lunch closure 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM.
Reviewed by the Vic West Pet Hospital veterinary team. Last updated August 2026.
FAQ
Can I stay with my pet the whole time?
Yes, for as long as you want. You can hold your pet throughout, or step out at any point if that is easier. Neither choice is wrong and our team will not have an opinion about it.
How do I know when it is the right time?
There is rarely one clear signal. Talk to us before you feel certain and describe what you are seeing at home. Our veterinarians will go through it with you honestly, and sometimes the answer is that there is still good time left.
Can I bring my family or my pet's bed?
Please do. A blanket, a bed, or a favourite toy from home is welcome, and you are free to bring as many or as few people as you want. The comfort room is private and opens onto its own exit.
If your dog or cat is nearing the end, call us before you feel ready to decide. Ring Vic West Pet Hospital in Victoria on (778) 265-4500 and our team will talk it through with you, at whatever pace suits your family.