The Good Life Plan

Start your plan online

Fill in as much or as little as you like, in any order. There is no right way to do this.

Your answers save automatically in your browser on this device, and nothing you write is sent to Vets at Home. When you are ready, download a finished plan with your pet’s name on it to keep, print or share with your vet.

If your pet is unwell now, please do not wait for a plan. Call us on 0333 009 0883.

Your answers save automatically on this device

1. First, tell us about them

Your pet’s nameWhat kind of animal are they?

Tell us a little about themIf someone had never met your pet before, what would you want them to know?

2. What makes their life a good life?

Thinking about what makes your pet happiest while they are well can help you recognise the things that really matter to them throughout their life.

When your pet is having a really good day, what does that look like?

Three things that make their life especially good

They do not need to be big things. Food, a walk, sitting in the garden, sleeping beside you, a favourite person, sunshine, or something completely unique to them.

3. If your pet ever became seriously unwell

You do not need to make medical decisions now. This is simply a chance to think about what matters to you, while you have the time and space to do so.

If your pet became seriously unwell or injured, what would matter most to you when thinking about treatment?Their chance of getting back to a life they enjoy, pain or discomfort, how frightening treatment might be, time away from home, how difficult recovery could be, or something else entirely.I would feel comfortable asking your pet to go through difficult treatment if…I would begin to feel that treatment was asking too much of your pet if…Are there things you already feel you would not want your pet to go through?It is completely okay not to know.

A note to your future self. These are not medical instructions. They are a record of what matters to you and how you feel right now, written while you have space to think clearly. Your thoughts are completely free to change.

4. Knowing when things are changing

If your pet stopped being able to enjoy some of the things in section 2, would that be a sign to you that it was time to talk to your vet about their quality of life?

Yes, I think it wouldPossibly, it would depend on what else was happeningI am not sureI would rather not answer this yet

Are there any particular changes in your pet that would make you worry they were not enjoying life any more?You know your pet better than anybody. Losing interest in food, no longer wanting affection, struggling to do something they love, or something completely unique to them.

Keep a record of their Quality of Life Assessments

Our free assessment at vetsathome.com/quality-of-life takes about three minutes. Scores out of 14: 10 to 14, coping; 6 to 9, worth a conversation; 0 to 5, talk to a vet today.

5. Our life together

Planning ahead should not only be about the ending. There may be places you would still love to visit together, little treats you have always promised them, or everyday moments you would like to make more time for.

Things we would still love to do together

Done

Is there something you have always meant to do with your pet but never quite got around to?Things about your pet I never want to forgetTheir funny habits, noises, expressions and the everyday things that make them who they are.

6. If one day it is time to say goodbye

You are not deciding when that day should be. You are simply thinking about how you would want things to be. Everything you write here can be changed.

Where would you ideally like your pet to be?

At homeAt our usual veterinary practiceSomewhere elseI am not sure yet

If at home, is there a particular place where you would like your pet to be?Their bed? The sofa? The garden? Your lap? Somewhere they particularly love?Who would you ideally like to be there when you say goodbye?What would help your pet feel safest and most comfortable?Their favourite bed or blanket? A toy? A particular person? Being outside? Familiar smells?If your pet could eat absolutely anything, what would their final meal or treats be?Before the day comes, is there anyone you would especially like your pet to spend some time with?If circumstances allowed, what would their perfect last day look like?Is there anything you would particularly like around you when you say goodbye?Music, silence, photographs, candles, being outside, or nothing at all.

7. What would you like to happen afterwards?

Some families want quiet time with their pet afterwards. Others have said their goodbye and prefer their pet to be collected fairly soon. Both are completely okay, and you can always change your mind on the day.

I would probably want my pet collected fairly soon afterwardsI would like a little time with my pet firstI would like to spend a longer period of time with my petI am really not sure how I will feelSomething else

8. Aftercare

What would you currently prefer to happen for your pet afterwards?Individual cremation, with their ashes returned to meIndividual cremation, I would not need the ashes returnedCommunal cremation, ashes are not returnedBurial on land I ownBurial in a pet cemeteryI am not sure yetSomething else

9. Memories and keepsakes

You absolutely do not need to buy anything. Some of the most precious keepsakes cost very little, and because you are thinking ahead, some can be made while your pet is still fit and well.

Something elseAnything else you would like to remember, or to say

10. Just in case you need help urgently

If your pet suddenly became unwell in the middle of the night, the last thing you want to be doing is searching the internet for telephone numbers. It is worth having these details ready.

My usual veterinary practice

My nearest emergency out-of-hours veterinary hospital

My preferred home euthanasia provider

Vets at Home visits families across the UK: 0333 009 0883.

Your plan, and where it is kept

Everything you have written is saved in your browser on this device. Download your plan to keep a copy, print it, or share it with your vet or family.

In the download dialog, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy.

Start your plan online

1. First, tell us about them

2. What makes their life a good life?

3. If your pet ever became seriously unwell

4. Knowing when things are changing

5. Our life together

6. If one day it is time to say goodbye

7. What would you like to happen afterwards?

8. Aftercare

9. Memories and keepsakes

10. Just in case you need help urgently

Your plan, and where it is kept

My pet’s Good Life Plan

About them

What makes their life a good life

If their health changes, what matters to me

Knowing when things are changing

Our life together

If one day it is time to say goodbye

Afterwards

Just in case: important contacts