After several years of paying a monthly fee to cover vet visits for my cat, I was appalled at the charges that would have applied had I gone through with euthanasia and cremation at Village Vets Dundrum. Up until that point, my vet visits had been covered. But for the final consultation with a vet, the charge was going to be 160 euro. Cremation and euthanasia would have been 344, with a required "cremation package" of an additional 380 euro minimum for a paw print of the cat and a "casket" or paper container of ashes. The total cost for euthanising my cat would have been about 780 euro.
This approach to end of life care for my cat seemed to be the epitome of taking advantage of a vulnerable pet owner.
The independent vet down the street will charge me less than half that for a cremation with ashes returned. If I don't want the ashes returned, the cost will be 130 euro (and perhaps I will make a donation to the DSPCA).
Corporate vets have the means to build shiny premises and hire advertising agencies to write slogans that include terms like "family" and "village" and "care". I have no complaints about the nice young vets who work for Village Vets, although I never saw one who had more than 10 years experience, which would indicate that this corporate is hiring young vets who they can pay less.
Still, for anyone seeking a vet I would NOT recommend Village Vets. Look past the bells and whistles of corporate gloss and find an independent vet, if at all possible. read more
