Planning ahead
Pet euthanasia and cremation costs in NSW — what to expect
Almost every family who rings asks the same thing early on: what is this going to cost? It is a fair question, and asking it does not make you a bad pet owner.
Two separate things are usually being paid for — the euthanasia itself, which your vet charges for, and the cremation, which we charge for. We set only the second, and every one of our prices is published.
The two separate costs
- Euthanasia — performed and charged by your vet, either at the clinic or at home. We do not set or receive any part of that fee, so ask your vet directly for their figure.
- Cremation and return of ashes — charged by us. Our companion cremations start at $430 for an individual cremation with ashes returned, and every weight band is published on our price list.
What makes a vet's euthanasia fee higher or lower
- Whether it happens at the clinic or at your home — a home visit includes the vet's travel and time.
- The time of day. After-hours and emergency-clinic appointments usually cost more than a booked daytime consult.
- Your pet's size, since sedation and medication are dosed by weight.
- Whether a sedative is given first so your pet is asleep before anything else happens. Most families choose this, and it is worth asking for.
- Any consult, imaging or bloodwork done on the same visit as part of the decision.
What we charge, and what is included
Our individual cremations run from $430 up to $585 depending on weight and the memorial you choose. There is no communal option on our price list — every cremation is individual.
Included with every one, not sold as an extra: a paw print, a clipping of fur, a signed Certificate of Individual Cremation, a numbered SafeHarbour tag that stays with your pet from collection to return, and a private tracking page.
There is no after-hours surcharge, no weekend surcharge and no public-holiday surcharge. The package price is the price.
If money is genuinely tight
Say so when you call. It is a normal conversation and nobody is judged for it — we would rather talk it through honestly than have a family go without a proper goodbye. Call Alby on 0493 814 474.
Choosing in-home euthanasia
Many families prefer their pet's last moments to happen on their own lounge-room floor rather than on a clinic table. If that is what you want, we can point you toward vets in our area who do home visits, and we will collect from your home afterwards whenever you are ready — there is no rush on that part.
Questions families ask us
- How much does it cost to put a dog to sleep in NSW?
- The euthanasia fee is set by your vet and varies with location, whether it happens at home or at the clinic, the time of day and your dog's weight, so ask your vet for their exact figure. Cremation is charged separately — ours starts at $430 for an individual cremation with ashes returned.
- Is cremation included in the euthanasia price?
- Usually not. Most vets bill euthanasia and cremation separately, and some add a handling fee on top of the crematorium's price. Ask your vet what their cremation charge covers, or arrange the cremation with us directly.
- Do you charge extra after hours or on weekends?
- No. There is no after-hours, weekend or public-holiday surcharge. The package price is the price, whatever time you call.
- Can I arrange cremation directly instead of through my vet?
- Yes, and you are entitled to. Tell your clinic that Harbourside is collecting your pet, and we will handle the collection and paperwork with them.
- Is a cheaper communal cremation available?
- Not with us. Every cremation we do is individual, one companion in the chamber at a time, so the ashes returned are theirs and only theirs.