UPDATE — August 31, 2026: I originally left a very positive review for Westown after Midnight received care here earlier this year. The doctors & technicians had always been phenomenal, and we were grateful for the care he received over the years. I am updating that review today because of our experience with his euthanasia yesterday. I feel it is important for other families to know what happened before they make this heartbreaking decision.
Yesterday, we had to make the utterly painful decision to put our beloved 12 y/o cat, Midnight, down. A member of our family. This decision did not come lightly and was one of the most difficult things our family has ever had to do. Unfortunately, the experience that followed was heartbreaking in ways that had nothing to do with saying goodbye to Midnight itself.
The first technician who came into the room seemed completely unable to recognize the emotional state we were in. We had never been in this position before, and we were visibly devastated and sobbing. Reading the room is critical to families.
Management, please consider the following:
When a family says that money doesn't matter and that their priority is making their pet's final moments peaceful, please don't begin the visit by going over the bill, payment method, and how they intend to pay. We were sobbing while invoices and payment questions were being put in front of us. That conversation could have waited until we were finished saying goodbye.
Please provide additional training on compassion and empathy during euthanasia appointments. This is NOT a typical veterinary visit. Families are saying goodbye to a member of their family, and these appointments should be handled very differently.
After sedation is administered, please reassure the family that their pet is fully sedated and comfortable. Instead, the technician asked, "Is he out yet?" and then tapped Midnight on the head to see if he responded. Watching that happen during an already unbearable moment was beyond upsetting & completely unacceptable.
Please make sure the timing and documentation of a pet's death cannot be seen by the family before the euthanasia process has even begun. Midnight had not even received his sedation, yet the computer screen, visible to us, displayed "DECEASED" in large capital letters. Seeing that was a punch in our guts.
Please reconsider how pets are returned to their families afterward. We were given Midnight in a blue body bag and walked out the front door with him. We had to walk through the lobby carrying our sweet cat in a bag while passing other families with happy, healthy animals. It created an awful feeling of "Next!" rather than a peaceful and private goodbye.
We have since heard about other veterinary clinics that handle these moments so very differently—sending the bill afterward, reassuring the family that their pet is peacefully sedated and comfortable, providing a beautiful pet box (this would be a perfect investment rather than a body bag), and allowing the family to leave through a private exit rather than a public lobby.
Westown cared for Midnight for many years, which is why this experience was especially disappointing. We know your doctors and staff are capable of providing wonderful care because we experienced that ourselves.
Please make changes to the way euthanasia appointments are handled so another family, especially one going through this for the first time, does not have to experience what our family experienced yesterday.
Midnight deserved a peaceful, compassionate goodbye. So did we.
PRIOR REVIEW: I have loved Westown Vet since we started with them years ago. Our cat, Midnight, has had nothing but exceptional care. Recently, he was seen at the clinic and they were so thorough and caring with Midnight and they put me at ease every step of the way. Would highly recommend.
Doc. Khatter is amazing! We have brought all our Black Labs there and they respond very well to her. We also have a mini English Bulldog and she responded very well to her husband. I love the clinic! Very inviting and a warm feel to it. The nurses are exceptional! Very sweet and caring and know how to treat an animal when they are ill; Sweet and patient. Anytime you go to a vet, its going to be expensive, its like seeing a doctor without insurance ( unless you have pet insurance) so I believe pricing is comparable to other clinics. I do highly recommend them!
Do not go here. I've had this vet give the wrong dosage of medication TWICE. Thankfully I caught it before giving it to my dog, but had to make a trip back to the vets office. They gave advice to exercise a large breed puppy with zero limitations. That would ruin the dogs joints. I've waited over an hour in an exam room with zero communication. I ended up leaving without any care given. I've given them multiple chances and every interaction has been awful.
Twice we’ve had a random issue that couldn’t wait for both our dogs to be seen by another vet at odd hours. They’ve gotten us in immediately, were very professional, and got our dogs immediate relief and resolution. Highly recommend!
