1. Services Provided Southern Serenity Veterinary Services LLC (“Practice”) provides mobile veterinary services limited to:
- In-home euthanasia.
- Optional aftercare coordination (body transport to crematorium, additional memorial options).
Services are provided only where, in the veterinarian’s professional judgment, euthanasia is appropriate, humane, and compliant with Georgia law.
2. Eligibility and Patient Information
By signing, you confirm that:
- You are the legal owner or authorized agent of the animal described on the consent form.
- All information you provide about the pet’s identity, medical history, medications, and behavior is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
- The veterinarian may decline or postpone euthanasia if clinical findings, legal requirements, or safety concerns warrant.
3. Pricing and Fees
- You will receive written or electronic pricing before booking, including: in-home euthanasia fee, aftercare options, travel surcharges (if outside service area), additional fees for aggressive pets, pets over 100 pounds, extended visits, and any evening/weekend/holiday fees.
- Quotes are good-faith estimates and may change if services requested or required change at the visit (e.g., additional sedation, aftercare upgrade, extended travel).
- Applicable taxes and third‑party aftercare fees will be disclosed to the extent known at the time of scheduling.
- Pricing as follows:
- In-home euthanasia: $350 (within 30 miles of Royston, GA)
- Additional charges:
- Additional distance: $50 per 10-mile increment beyond 30 miles
- After-hours fee (After 5pm, Weekends, Holidays): +$150
- Aggressive Pets: +to cover for additional medications that may be needed.
- Extended visits lasting longer than 90 minutes
- Pets Over 100 pounds: (I reserve the right to adjust charge after arrival should an owner underestimate their pet's weight.)
- Price does not include cremation services
- Furever Family Pet Cremations handles cremation fees, and these fees are in addition to fees by Southern Serenity Veterinary Services.
- Transportation to Furever Family Pet Cremations by Southern Serenity Veterinary Services is an additional $50.
Payment Policy: Payment is due prior to services.
4. Payment Options and Policies
- Accepted payment methods: major credit/debit cards, Google Pay, Venmo, and PayPal (subject to successful processing).
- Payment is due in full at or before the time of service, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- A non‑refundable deposit of $100 may be required to secure appointments, particularly for evenings, weekends, or holidays. Deposits are applied to the final invoice.
- Appointments canceled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours’ notice may be subject to a late‑cancellation/no‑show fee of $50, including possible forfeiture of the deposit.
- Returned, reversed, or failed payments may incur a fee of 3% of the invoice total, and you remain responsible for all outstanding balances.
5. Scheduling, Business Hours
- Standard business hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern.
- Limited evening, weekend, or holiday appointments may be available at the Practice’s discretion and may incur additional fees (see pricing).
- The Practice does not provide 24/7 emergency services. In an emergency, you must contact the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.
6. Appointment Availability and If No Appointments Are Available
- Appointment times are not guaranteed until confirmed by the Practice.
- If no appointments are available within your requested timeframe, the Practice may:
- Offer the next available appointment;
- Provide information for local emergency or alternative euthanasia providers; and/or
- Advise you to seek immediate care at a veterinary hospital.
- The Practice is not liable for any outcomes related to appointment unavailability, including progression of disease, suffering, or death before the scheduled visit.
7. Sedation, Procedure, and What to Expect you acknowledge that:
- The veterinarian will explain the euthanasia process, including pre‑euthanasia sedation, expected timeline, and common physical responses (e.g., muscle twitches, vocalization, urination/defecation, agonal breaths).
- Sedation is typically administered first to reduce anxiety and discomfort; additional sedation may be required in some cases.
- Once euthanasia medication is administered, death is generally rapid but may vary with the pet’s condition.
- Children and other household members should be prepared in advance; the Practice is not responsible for emotional reactions of family members or guests.
- You may choose to be present or not during the procedure; your choice will be respected.
8. Aftercare and Remains
- Aftercare options (e.g., home burial where legally permitted in Georgia, communal cremation, private cremation with ashes returned) are provided by a local crematorium and fees to the crematorium are handled separately.
- Optional transport to the crematorium by Southern Serenity Veterinary Services LLC can be provided for an additional fee (see pricing) and will be discussed prior to or at the appointment.
- If you choose cremation or other third‑party aftercare, you authorize the Practice to release your pet’s remains and necessary information to the selected provider.
- The Practice is not responsible for delays, errors, or policies of third‑party aftercare providers but will make reasonable efforts to assist with communication if issues arise.
- You are responsible for complying with all applicable Georgia and local laws and regulations regarding burial or handling of remains. See https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/40-13-5
9. Client Responsibilities and Safety You agree to:
- Provide a safe, accessible environment for the veterinarian and any staff, including clear directions, safe parking, and adequate lighting.
- Secure other pets and disclose any history of aggression, biting, or safety concerns related to the pet or household.
- Follow all instructions given before, during, and after the visit.
- Secure the patient at least 2 hours prior to the appointment time.
The Practice may decline or terminate services if safety is compromised, conditions are unsuitable for performing euthanasia humanely and safely, or patient is not secure at the appointment time.
10. Communication Policies and Response Times
- Communication channels:
- Due to the sensitive nature of this service, texting is preferred and will receive a quicker response. All calls will be returned in 24 hours.
- Phone: 706-420-6429 (call or text, if applicable)
- Email: info@southernserenityvet.com
- Online request form
- Messages received outside business hours will be addressed on the next business day or as soon as reasonably possible.
- Non‑urgent questions are typically answered within 2 business days.
- Medical advice is limited to patients with an established veterinary‑client‑patient relationship (VCPR) as defined by Georgia law.
- The Practice may not provide diagnosis, treatment recommendations, or prescriptions solely via text/email without an appropriate examination, as required by law.
- Electronic communication (email, text, certain payment apps) may not be fully secure; by using these methods, you accept the associated privacy risks.
11. Consent to Euthanasia By signing, you confirm that:
- You are the legal owner or authorized agent of the pet and have full authority to consent to euthanasia.
- You understand that euthanasia is irreversible and will result in your pet’s death.
- You have had the opportunity to ask questions about your pet’s condition, alternatives to euthanasia, and the procedure itself, and all questions have been answered to your satisfaction.
- You understand that, while complications are rare, no specific outcome or timeframe can be guaranteed.
12. Limitations of Liability
- To the fullest extent permitted by Georgia law, the Practice’s total liability for any claim related to services under this agreement is limited to the amount you paid for those services.
- The Practice is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including emotional distress, lost wages, or travel costs.
13. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Weather/Travel Disruptions
- The Practice may reschedule or cancel appointments due to illness, unsafe weather, traffic, or other circumstances beyond its control.
- In such cases, deposits will be applied to a rescheduled visit or refunded at the Practice’s discretion.
- The Practice is not responsible for any losses arising from such changes.
14. Privacy and Records
- The Practice maintains medical records in accordance with Georgia law and applicable professional standards.
- You authorize the Practice to share relevant information with other veterinary providers or aftercare services as reasonably necessary to provide or coordinate care.
- Photos or videos of your pet will only be taken or shared with your consent, except as required by law or for medical documentation.
15. Governing Law and Disputes
- This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Georgia.
- Any disputes will first be addressed through good‑faith discussion; if unresolved, they may be pursued in a court of competent jurisdiction in [county], Georgia.