Your pet stays relaxed. You get personal attention. And you always see the same doctor. Dr. Adam Behrens brings 17+ years of housecall experience directly to you.
You didn't have to bring your pet to a hospital for most of their veterinary needs
They could remain in the comfort of your arms while they receive care
The veterinarian could see them within their natural setting (even if that means hiding under the bed)
You could always rely on the same veterinarian to manage their care
That veterinarian answered your questions in a reasonable amount of time
Your vet could see them when they're well, when they're sick, or when it comes time to say goodbye
All of your dogs and cats could get care at the same appointment
Dr. Behrens has been doing this for his clients for over 17 years. This mobile practice has always been paperless, and technology allows for an increasingly high level of care — from thorough exams and vaccinations to abdominal ultrasound for masses and fluid, and fine needle aspiration. A car trunk full of equipment is available to be brought into your living room as your pet's needs dictate.
Comprehensive veterinary care — right in your living room.
Real reviews from real pet parents.
"One of my cats is a rescue who is incredibly loving with people he knows but literally a cat out of hell with those he does not. He actually bit a previous vet who couldn't figure out how to approach him. Dr. Behrens not only had the good humor to help me disassemble my entire bed so we could pull my kitty from his hiding spot in the boxsprings, but he had the patience to hang out with him while he calmed down enough to have a full exam and booster — his first in five years."
"We have 3 small children and a 65-lb dog who doesn't get along with other animals, so finding the time and safe manner to get her through the lobby of a veterinary clinic is sometimes an insurmountable challenge! She is 10 years old, and in my opinion had the most thorough and complete physical exam of her life with Dr. Behrens. Because she was in her home environment, she was MUCH more relaxed."
"I use Dr. Adam Behrens for my cat who gets carsick. Dr. Behrens is fantastic. It's amazing to get a vet's undivided attention by having him in your home! And although he is based in San Francisco, he made a house call to our Marin home!"
Comprehensive veterinary care for dogs, cats, and small mammals — all in the comfort of your home.
Thorough physical examinations and health consultations in your pet's natural environment.
Vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, and routine health maintenance.
Blood, urine, fecal analysis, cultures, cytology, blood pressure, and point-of-care abdominal ultrasound.
Ongoing management for chronic conditions and compassionate end-of-life care.
Better observed in the home environment where behaviors actually occur.
A peaceful, dignified goodbye in familiar surroundings, with cremation services available.
A peaceful, dignified goodbye in familiar surroundings.
The ability to provide a comfortable end to a pet's life is one of the most loving things I can do. It is also a very personal and difficult decision.
No one wants their loved one to suffer. However, it is impossible for our pet to communicate how they feel. Sometimes we see changes in daily routines, lack of energy or loss of appetite. But suffering is a very subjective concept. Various members of the family may have differing expectations. Some may not be willing to let go until the last possible moment. In reality, for most, it is only possible to know the right time has come once it has passed. At that point, regret and guilt tend to dominate our emotions.
At home euthanasia allows the family to say goodbye in a comfortable, familiar setting with the least amount of stress. It allows you to feel some amount of control over a process that is inherently uncontrollable. While it may be impossible to repay the unconditional love offered by a pet, at home euthanasia can allow the family to provide a dignified, respectful exit as a final loving gift.
Euthanasia housecalls start like any other visit with history and a physical exam. However, Dr. Behrens respects that your pet's comfort is of paramount importance and every consideration will be made to ensure that this process is void of stress. Payment is taken before proceeding.
The actual euthanasia procedure can be performed wherever you or your pet are most comfortable. Initially, an anesthetic injection is administered to prevent pain and ease your pet's transition. Once they are relaxed, an intravenous injection of a barbiturate euthanasia solution provides a painless death.
Dr. Behrens can take your pet's body once everyone has said their goodbyes. Aftercare is available in the form of individual or communal cremation. Individual cremation provides ashes in a customizable urn. These ashes are guaranteed to be from your pet alone and are returned within two weeks. Communal cremation means that your pet is cremated with others and their ashes are buried together. The choice of aftercare can be made at the time of the appointment. Regardless of the cremation option chosen, Dr. Behrens will handle the removal of the body and take care of all details.
| Service | 1-20 lb. | 21-50 lb. | 51-75 lb. | 76-99 lb. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euthanasia (remains left with owner) | $650 | $650 | $650 | $650 |
| Euthanasia with Communal Cremation | $850 | $850 | $950 | $950 |
| Euthanasia with Individual Cremation | $950 | $975 | $1100 | $1250 |
All prices are fully inclusive for the euthanasia appointment and should be paid at the beginning of the appointment by cash, check, or major credit card.
If you are looking to make an in memoriam donation, Dr. Behrens recommends San Francisco Aid for Animals. They seek to provide financial assistance to eligible owners of San Francisco pets with curable medical conditions.
Dr. Behrens graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He spent three years working in Bay Area veterinary hospitals including the SF/SPCA before starting Wandering Vet in 2008.
He has volunteered with Veterinary Street Outreach Services, providing free care to the San Francisco homeless population. His interests include internal medicine, geriatric medicine, and the human-animal bond.
Dr. Behrens lives in the Marina with his wife Elle, son Ben, daughter Katie, and a most handsome Black Labrador Retriever named Iggy. (He's such a good boy!)
"The opportunity to help people and their pets, in the comfort of their own home, is the reason I became a veterinarian."
Wandering Vet is an independent small animal veterinary practice. This is not a startup. It is not some venture capitalist's latest project to be the Uber of Veterinary Medicine. You can find that elsewhere — at least five of those services have come and gone while Dr. Behrens has been providing care for three generations of pets.
This is not a get-rich-quick scheme. This is just an honest veterinarian trying to do his best for his clients and his patients. A veterinarian that continued to see his patients through COVID and will continue to be there for them as long as he is able.
It is a single doctor practice. This ensures you will always see the same doctor. And if you can't see him, you can get in touch with him within a day.
That said, there are times you should go somewhere else:
Policies: None, except your kindness will be returned.
Please email for availability.
San Francisco & Southeastern Marin (up through San Rafael)
Appointments are available weekdays between 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM. Expect to spend at least one hour with the doctor. The minimal charge for an initial visit including exam is $300 with extra fees for services, diagnostics, and treatments. All charges are due at the time of service.
Please email or fax existing veterinary records to (415) 373-4176 prior to the appointment so Dr. Behrens can be best prepared for your housecall.
Some pets are very outgoing with visitors. Others, especially sick cats, may hide under furniture. To make the most of your visit, entice these pets into a comfortable, enclosed space beforehand. A large, thick towel they've already been able to lay on may be helpful. Mood lighting, treats, and play are encouraged to set the right mood.
You will receive a confirmation by email. If you can't find it in your inbox or spam, please leave a voicemail at (415) 376-9780.
Dr. Behrens is fully vaccinated and boosted. Masked and gloved visits are available upon request.