Epitaph is Perth’s only ‘dedicated’ home euthanasia service for pets, and was established in mid 2005 by Dr Belinda Beynon. At Epitaph we are committed to making the passing of your pet as peaceful as possible for him/her, but also to supporting you through the process in the comfort of your own home or property. In 2007 we are pleased to announce our new equine euthanasia service.

Epitaph also takes pride in offering pet bereavement support services via telephone, in person and online.

Belinda Beynon is a graduate of Murdoch University’s Veterinary School and has sixteen years of experience working in Australia, the UK and Singapore, variably in small animal, mixed and equine practice. She currently also offers a locum service for small animal practitioners in Perth. The fully qualified veterinary nurses who work with Belinda are selected carefully for their compassion, experience and friendliness. They all own pets, and have worked extensively with owners who have lost animals.

Over time Belinda has come to believe that advances in veterinary medical and surgical expertise have less meaning if we do not maximise our pets experience on the day that they leave us for the last time. This belief was cemented for her when she helped her own companion of 13 years, Jack Russell cross ‘Pogo’, die peacefully on her lap on a warm, sunny spring day in the garden, with no restraint, stress or fear. Belinda believes that ideally we would offer the same service to all pets.

“ I wish to thank Belinda…for the care, consideration and respect shown to my little mate Sammy…thank you for making my beautiful boy’s last moments peaceful and dignified and for allowing us time to say goodbye to him”. Yvette C, Belmont

“…I can’t tell you how much better it was for “Rabbit’ to go quietly to sleep on my lap, she always got so stressed going to the surgery.”   Molly R, Yangebup

“…Bonnie’s welfare was foremost in your mind…I could not imagine her passing being more sensitively and thoughtfully approached.” Sean and Peter W, Subiaco

For many of us our pets are an important part of our family group. To us they are not ‘just’ a cat or a dog or a horse, but individuals on whom we have lavished affection over the years, and who have offered us in return, total and unconditional love.

While most of us hope that our pets will live a long, healthy life, and then just die in their sleep one night, the reality for most pet lovers is very different.

Constant advances in veterinary care mean that we are looking at a much longer lifespan for our cats, dogs and horses, and in general, much better health during that life. However, like humans, their time on this planet is finite and as much as we want them to be here forever the reality is that they will eventually die. The difference between pets and humans however, is that with our pets, sometimes we are asked to choose the time and way that they die. Euthanasia, by definition ‘the good death’, is an act of compassion and kindness performed by veterinarians, but is tinged with fear, sadness and suspicion for many owners.

In the past, euthanasia of cats or dogs was rarely carried out in the presence of its owners, instead being performed ‘behind closed doors’, which sometimes led to some degree of mistrust and suspicion. The reality was that in those days it was truly felt by veterinary staff that it was more distressing for the owner to be present, and thus staying with your pet was discouraged. These days it is generally recognised that most owners can actually benefit emotionally from being with their pet during its last moments, and that certainly in most cases, the pet benefits too.

Home euthanasia as offered by Epitaph is an extension of this service, and allows your pet to die peacefully and pain free in its own environment, surrounded by its loved ones (whether human or otherwise). Our small animal service also allows you the privacy to grieve privately as you need, without having to worry about walking through a full waiting room to get to the car, let alone driving home at such a distressing time. Small animal home euthanasia performed by Epitaph has proven to be of incredible benefit to the pet, but also to the human-people and fur-people who are left behind (see testimonials).