NI home euthanasia vet hails fundraiser for pet rescue

A vet who set up Northern Ireland’s first pet home euthanasia service has held a memorial fundraiser to support abandoned, abused and neglected animals and raise awareness of the impact of pet loss.

Stephanie Cousins, who founded HomeVet NI, has since employed six more vets to help provide what for many pet owners is an essential service

Speaking about the June 22 March in aid of The Barn Animal Rescue in Newtownards, she said: “I was absolutely blown away by the number of people who came along to our Pet Memorial Walk. I’ve a lot of people to thank, but I will get to that.

“For now, I just want to say how grateful I am to you all. These memorial boards make me so emotional

“When I started planning this walk last summer, I didn’t know I would lose Dodi before it, making this walk so special and important to me personally.

“Pet loss and grief brought us all together today to remember and celebrate all those little faces we miss so much.

Thank you so so much

.”

Speaking ahead of the walk she said: “This walk is important to me personally, as I understand how lonely and debilitating pet loss can be.

“We don’t get compassionate leave for losing a pet, however many of us spend more time with a pet than a human loved one.

“It is hard to understand unless you have been through the loss of a special pet yourself. Unfortunately I have been through this three times now with my Lola, Pip and most recently Dodi. I lost Dodi on New Years Eve 2023 and every day since has been a struggle.

“He was with me since I was in university and is the reason I got through homesickness and became a vet.

“He was with me on my wedding day and when I brought my two kids home from the hospital. He was with me for 13 amazing years and I miss him more than words can say.”